The Minnesota Wild are making a bold move, tapping former Anaheim Ducks head coach Greg Cronin to take the reins of their AHL affiliate, the Iowa Wild. First reported by Michael Russo of The Athletic and now confirmed by the team, the hire signals a serious push to revive a faltering franchise.
Cronin, 62, brings a gritty, no-nonsense coaching style and decades of experience. Though his recent NHL stint with the Ducks saw growing pains (62-87-15 from 2023–2025), his coaching résumé runs deep — including 12 years as an NHL assistant and a standout run at Northeastern University, where he earned Hockey East Coach of the Year honors in 2009.
He’s no stranger to the AHL grind either, leading the Colorado Eagles and Bridgeport Islanders to a combined 242-165-51 record. The Iowa Wild, who finished a dismal 30th and 29th in the past two seasons under Brett McLean, are in desperate need of a turnaround. With McLean off to the Vancouver Canucks, Cronin now steps in as the man tasked with reigniting Iowa’s fire.
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