Ducks forwards Ryan Strome and Jayson Megna describe Cronin’s approach on and off the ice as authentic, honest and focused on helping players improve.
| UPDATED:Ryan Strome was in the formative stages of his NHL career with only 37 games under his belt with the New York Islanders and getting ready for the rigors of a full 2014-15 regular season.Each coach on Jack Capuano’s Islanders staff was responsible for meeting with a smaller group of players on a regular basis. Strome’s point of contact happened to be assistant coach Greg Cronin, who was back for a second stint with the Islanders after three seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“When I found out yesterday, it was a trip down memory lane,” said Strome, 29, who is coming off the first year of a five-year contract with the Ducks. “Obviously we’re both at really different places in our careers now. It’s nice to have someone that’s familiar. When you go to a new team, you meet a whole new group of guys. Now getting a coach – having someone that knows me personally – is easier for me. Hopefully, I can help the transition for him as well.
The Ducks claimed Megna on waivers from the Colorado Avalanche in December, and he will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Megna said Cronin’s enthusiasm was contagious during their time together with the Eagles. The modern-day, player-coach relationship – messaging and the delivery – is a far cry from when Cronin first started in the business 36 years ago. Or when Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek played in the NHL.
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