Coyotes hire Ron Rolston to coach new AHL affiliate in Springfield

The Arizona Coyotes have named Ron Rolston coach of the team's AHL affiliate in Springfield.

"We are very pleased to name Ron as our new head coach for the Springfield Falcons," general manager Don Maloney said via the team's official website.

"Ron is an experienced head coach and a great communicator. He has an excellent track record for developing players and we are confident that he is the right coach to lead our top prospects."

It's a promotion of sorts with Rolston leaving his post as a professional scout to head up the Coyotes' new AHL affiliate.

A former bench boss with the Rochester Americans, Rolston was promoted to Buffalo Sabres interim head coach in 2013 after Lindy Ruff was fired. Buffalo removed the interim tag and welcomed Rolston back the following season, but fired him after a 4-15-1 start.

Rolston also owns coaching experience at the collegiate level, and has been employed by USA Hockey.