The Penguins on Friday hired Todd Nelson, Nick Bonino and Rich Clune as assistant coaches. Troy Paquette was named assistant video coach, filling the vacancy left by the departure of CJ D’Alimonte. Andy Chiodo, who was on an expiring contract, was re-hired as goaltending coach.
The exact divisions of responsibilities (who manages which position group or special teams unit) were not immediately made clear.
Nelson, 55, just completed his third season as the head coach of the AHL's Hershey Bears, winning the championship in his first two years with the team. The Bears finished this regular season as the second-best team in the league.
Before joining the Bears, Nelson spent four seasons as an assistant coach in the NHL with the Stars from 2018-22, coaching the defense and power play.
Nelson's previous stops include an assistant coaching position with the AHL's Grand Rapid Griffins in 2002-03, the head coach of the Muskegon Fury from 2003-06 in the former minor-league UHL, assistant coach of the AHL's Chicago Wolves from 2006-08, and assistant coach of the Atlanta Thrashers from 2008-10. He was head coach of the AHL's Oklahoma City Barons, the Oilers' AHL affiliate, from 2010-15 and served as interim head coach of the Oilers during the 2014-15 season. He spent three years in the AHL coaching Grand Rapids again from 2015-18, winning the Calder Cup in 2017, before joining the Stars.
Nelson was the Penguins' fourth-round pick in 1989. He played three years in the Penguins' organization, only suiting up for one game with the Penguins in 1991-92. It was a 2-2 tie with the Islanders at the Civic Arena.
“With over two decades of coaching experience, Todd brings a championship pedigree and a winning history that speaks for itself,” Muse said of Nelson. “He has consistently demonstrated an exceptional ability to get the most out of his players, most recently in Hershey, and his leadership qualities and wealth of experience will be a tremendous asset to our team as we continue to build a culture of excellence.”
Bonino, 37, recently retired as a player after 868 NHL games over 15 seasons and a stint in Slovenia. He played for Muse in Nashville and New York and was an integral part of those successful penalty kills under Muse. This is his third stint in Pittsburgh, having played here twice as a player, including on the 2016 and 2017 Stanley Cup teams.
“Nick's understanding of what it takes to win at the NHL level is unmatched, and his unique experience as a player who filled many different roles over the course of his career will only help him as an assistant coach,”. Muse said of Bonino. “His familiarity with the Penguins organization, as well as my familiarity with him as a player, and person, made him a great fit for this role, and we’re excited to welcome him to our coaching staff as he enters the next phase of his career.”
Clune, 38, spent last season as an assistant coach with the Ducks. He previously served as an assistant coach for the AHL’s Toronto Marlies and a development coach for the Maple Leafs. His 15-year professional career as a forward included 139 NHL games with the Kings, Predators and Maple Leafs.
“Rich brings a wealth of knowledge across every level of professional hockey, spanning from his 15-year playing career to his time in development and coaching at the AHL and NHL levels over the past three years,” said Muse. “Rich’s experience in coaching, development and as a former player and captain will be extremely valuable in this role, and we’re excited for his addition to our coaching staff.”
Chiodo returns for his eighth season within the organization. He was one of the Penguins’ assistant coaches on an expiring contract, and Dubas promised them that if they waited until the Penguins had a head coach, they would be granted at least an audience with the new bench boss. Chiodo was the lone member of the former staff who was still available when Muse was hired, and Muse met with Chiodo on the first week on the job.
Paquette, 29, was most recently the Marlies’ video coach for the last four seasons, and previously worked as the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs video coach from 2018-21. He will work with Madison Nikkel, who stays on as head video coach.
Muse said he was looking for a variety of experiences and backgrounds in building out his staff, and he appears to have found that. In Nelson he gets a veteran coach with development experience, head coaching experience and NHL experience. Bonino brings the experience of a long playing career and a familiarity with the players in the room. Clune brings a mix of a recent playing career, development experience, and recent experience behind an NHL bench.
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THE ASYLUM
Taylor Haase
5:15 pm - 06.20.2025DowntownPenguins fill out coaching staff
Dan Muse has filled out his coaching staff.
The Penguins on Friday hired Todd Nelson, Nick Bonino and Rich Clune as assistant coaches. Troy Paquette was named assistant video coach, filling the vacancy left by the departure of CJ D’Alimonte. Andy Chiodo, who was on an expiring contract, was re-hired as goaltending coach.
The exact divisions of responsibilities (who manages which position group or special teams unit) were not immediately made clear.
Nelson, 55, just completed his third season as the head coach of the AHL's Hershey Bears, winning the championship in his first two years with the team. The Bears finished this regular season as the second-best team in the league.
Before joining the Bears, Nelson spent four seasons as an assistant coach in the NHL with the Stars from 2018-22, coaching the defense and power play.
Nelson's previous stops include an assistant coaching position with the AHL's Grand Rapid Griffins in 2002-03, the head coach of the Muskegon Fury from 2003-06 in the former minor-league UHL, assistant coach of the AHL's Chicago Wolves from 2006-08, and assistant coach of the Atlanta Thrashers from 2008-10. He was head coach of the AHL's Oklahoma City Barons, the Oilers' AHL affiliate, from 2010-15 and served as interim head coach of the Oilers during the 2014-15 season. He spent three years in the AHL coaching Grand Rapids again from 2015-18, winning the Calder Cup in 2017, before joining the Stars.
Nelson was the Penguins' fourth-round pick in 1989. He played three years in the Penguins' organization, only suiting up for one game with the Penguins in 1991-92. It was a 2-2 tie with the Islanders at the Civic Arena.
“With over two decades of coaching experience, Todd brings a championship pedigree and a winning history that speaks for itself,” Muse said of Nelson. “He has consistently demonstrated an exceptional ability to get the most out of his players, most recently in Hershey, and his leadership qualities and wealth of experience will be a tremendous asset to our team as we continue to build a culture of excellence.”
Bonino, 37, recently retired as a player after 868 NHL games over 15 seasons and a stint in Slovenia. He played for Muse in Nashville and New York and was an integral part of those successful penalty kills under Muse. This is his third stint in Pittsburgh, having played here twice as a player, including on the 2016 and 2017 Stanley Cup teams.
“Nick's understanding of what it takes to win at the NHL level is unmatched, and his unique experience as a player who filled many different roles over the course of his career will only help him as an assistant coach,”. Muse said of Bonino. “His familiarity with the Penguins organization, as well as my familiarity with him as a player, and person, made him a great fit for this role, and we’re excited to welcome him to our coaching staff as he enters the next phase of his career.”
Clune, 38, spent last season as an assistant coach with the Ducks. He previously served as an assistant coach for the AHL’s Toronto Marlies and a development coach for the Maple Leafs. His 15-year professional career as a forward included 139 NHL games with the Kings, Predators and Maple Leafs.
“Rich brings a wealth of knowledge across every level of professional hockey, spanning from his 15-year playing career to his time in development and coaching at the AHL and NHL levels over the past three years,” said Muse. “Rich’s experience in coaching, development and as a former player and captain will be extremely valuable in this role, and we’re excited for his addition to our coaching staff.”
Chiodo returns for his eighth season within the organization. He was one of the Penguins’ assistant coaches on an expiring contract, and Dubas promised them that if they waited until the Penguins had a head coach, they would be granted at least an audience with the new bench boss. Chiodo was the lone member of the former staff who was still available when Muse was hired, and Muse met with Chiodo on the first week on the job.
Paquette, 29, was most recently the Marlies’ video coach for the last four seasons, and previously worked as the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs video coach from 2018-21. He will work with Madison Nikkel, who stays on as head video coach.
Muse said he was looking for a variety of experiences and backgrounds in building out his staff, and he appears to have found that. In Nelson he gets a veteran coach with development experience, head coaching experience and NHL experience. Bonino brings the experience of a long playing career and a familiarity with the players in the room. Clune brings a mix of a recent playing career, development experience, and recent experience behind an NHL bench.
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