As announced on the team's official site, the Bakersfield Condors have signed head coach Colin Chaulk to a contract extension to remain with the AHL team. And to say it's richly deserved, is almost an understatement.
Chaulk has been excellent since taking over as head coach of the Condors midway the 2021-22 campaign. He went 19-12-3 during the remainder of the regular season, and helped the team qualify for the playoffs.
The 47-year-old then helped the Condors secure their first ever playoff sweep since becoming an AHL team for the 2015-16 season, in the newly formed Pacific Division. As a result, he was deservedly given the opportunity to return the following season, with the success continuing.
Chaulk the model of consistency
Chaulk has proceeded to lead the Condors to the playoffs in each of his two full seasons in charge, and he has an overall regular season record of 95-70-13. The level of consistency under his stewardship has resulted in the most combined points over a three-year period for the team during their time in Bakersfield.
The Toronto native has received plenty of praise for his ability to help motivate and develop his players. Two prime examples of this are Dylan Holloway and Raphael Lavoie, with Holloway in particular a standout, going on to play an important role in the Oilers' playoff run to the Stanley Cup Final this past season.
Chaulk also has no problem being tough when needed, including an honest assessment he made about Jack Campbell during the early stages of the goalie's time in Bakersfield this past season. However, it worked out well as part of the process in helping Campbell improve as the AHL season progressed, ending up with a better save percentage and Goals Against Average than teammate Olivier Rodrigue.
Other coaching announcements for the Condors
Aside from Chaulk, the Condors also announced the return of assistant coach Keith McCambridge, with a contract extension of his own. He mostly works with the defencemen and the penalty kill unit, highlighted by how he helped Philip Broberg tap more into the potential which saw the blue-liner selected eighth overall in the 2019 NHL entry draft.
One other re-signing sees the return of video coordinator Kris Horn for the 2024-25 AHL season. It wasn't all positive news though, with the announcement that goaltending coach Sylvain Rodrigue and assistant coach Nate DiCasmirro both mutually agreed to part company with the Condors.