Roy Sommer

Roy Sommer

The Worcester Sharks announced today that head coach Roy Sommer will return for his 17th season behind the bench for San Jose’s top affiliate. Sommer, who is the longest tenured coach in the American Hockey League, holds the AHL record in game’s coached with 1,268. Sommer will return for the 2014-15 season despite a three-year playoff drought. Additionally, the Sharks have missed the playoffs in four out of seven seasons since moving to Worcester. Sommer and the Sharks will look to bring playoff hockey back to Worcester next season for the first time since 2009-10, when Worcester won 49 games.

The Worcester Sharks also announced today that associate coach David Cunniff will not return to the organization next season and plans to explore other opportunities. Cunniff had served as an assistant/associate coach for San Jose’s top affiliate under Sommer for the last 12 seasons. While with the Sharks, Cunniff focused primarily on the defense and played a pivotal role in the rapid development of several NHL defensemen.