Dave Barr and Scott Allen Named to Florida Panthers Coaching Staff
Geordie Kinnear Named Head Coach of Springfield (AHL)
Florida Panthers Media Release
SUNRISE, Fla. – Florida Panthers President of Hockey Operations Dale Tallon announced
today that Dave Barr and Scott Allen have been named to the Panthers coaching staff, while Geordie Kinnear has been named head coach of Florida’s American Hockey League affiliate in Springfield. Barr will serve as the Panthers associate coach and Allen will serve as assistant coach. The pair, along with assistant coach Mike Kelly and goaltending coach Robb Tallas will serve under head coach Gerard Gallant.
“We are very pleased to welcome Dave, Scott and Geordie,” Tallon said. “They bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our organization as we look to improve upon our record-setting season and continue to build winners in South Florida and Springfield for years to come.”
The 55-year old Barr spent last season serving as an assistant coach for the Buffalo Sabres. Prior to his time in Buffalo, Barr served as an assistant coach for the New Jersey Devils (2011-14), the Minnesota Wild (2009-11) and the Colorado Avalanche (2008-09).
The native of Toronto, Ontario began his coaching career as a player-assistant coach with the Orlando Solar Bears (1995-97) of the International Hockey League before spending three seasons as an assistant coach with the IHL’s Houston Aeros (1997-00), before being named head coach in 2000-01. Barr and the Aeros won the Turner Cup in 1998-99. Upon Houston joining the AHL, Barr was named general manager for two seasons (2001-03) and won the Calder Cup in 2003.
Barr served as general manager and head coach of the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League (2004-08), winning an OHL championship in 2003-04. He earned the Matt Leyden Trophy as Head Coach of the Year in 2005-06.
A veteran of 13 NHL seasons, Barr recorded 332 points (128-204-332) and 520 penalty minutes in 614 NHL games with the Boston Bruins (1981-83), New York Rangers (1983-84), St. Louis Blues (1983-87), Hartford Whalers (1986-87), Detroit Red Wings (1986-91), New Jersey Devils (1991-93) and Dallas Stars (1993-94).
The 50-year old Allen spent the last three seasons with the Panthers organization, most recently serving as head coach of Florida’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Portland Pirates (2016). Allen served as assistant coach in Portland (2015-16) as well as San Antonio (2013-15) under Panthers General Manager Tom Rowe. Previously, Allen served as head coach and assistant coach of San Antonio (2002-03, 2003-04).
Entering his 21st season of coaching, the native of New Bedford, Mass., began his coaching career as an assistant coach with the Johnstown Chiefs (ECHL) in 1996-97. Allen was named the team’s head coach midway through the 1997-98 season at the age of 31 and spent five seasons as Johnstown’s head coach. In 2004-05, Allen joined the coaching staff of the Lowell Lock Monsters (AHL) under Rowe.
After one season in Lowell, Allen served as an assistant coach of the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights (2005-07) and the Quad City Flames (2007-09) before being hired as an assistant coach with the New York Islanders (2009-12). After his time in New York, Allen joined the St. Louis Blues organization, serving as an assistant coach for their AHL affiliates the Peoria Rivermen (2012-13) and the Chicago Wolves (2013-14).
The 42-year old Kinnear spent the previous 10 seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes organization serving as assistant coach for the club’s AHL affiliates, the Charlotte Checkers (2010-16) and Albany River Rats (2007-10). He began his coaching career with Albany in 2001-02 as an assistant coach in the New Jersey Devils organization (2001-06) following an eight-year professional playing career and also served as a special assignment scout for New Jersey during the 2004-05 season.
The native of Simcoe, Ontario was selected by New Jersey in the seventh round (162nd overall) of the 1992 NHL Draft and spent the first six years of his pro career with the club’s AHL affiliate, Albany (1993-99). He served as team captain for three seasons (1996-1999). He played two seasons in the IHL with Orlando (1999-00) before returning to Albany, finishing his playing career in 2000-01 due to injury. Kinnear totaled 98 points (30-68-98) and 1,094 penalty minutes over the course of 406 career AHL games with Albany.
Kinnear played four NHL games for the Atlanta Thrashers (1999-00) recording 13 penalty minutes.
