David Cunniff

David Cunniff was named a Wolf Pack assistant coach by the parent New York Rangers August 21, 2019.

Cunniff came to the Ranger organization from the Iowa Wild, for whom he worked for four seasons from 2015-16 through 2018-19.  Cunniff was the Wild’s head coach for 26 games in 2015-16 (9-12-2-3), after starting that season as an assistant, and served as associate coach for the 2016-17 through 2018-19 campaigns.

Prior to his tenure with the Wild, the 48-year-old Cunniff was an assistant coach with the Albany Devils for one season (2014-15), and served the San Jose Sharks as either associate coach or assistant coach of their AHL affiliate for 12 years.  That included four seasons (2002-03 through 2005-06) with the Cleveland Barons and eight years (2006-07 through 2013-14) with the Worcester Sharks.

Cunniff, who is a native of South Boston, MA, played five seasons of pro hockey, 1996-97 through 1999-00 and 2001-02.  That included a total of 120 AHL games (5-20-25, 219 PIM) with the Albany River Rats from 1997-98 through 1999-00.  He also saw action in 148 career ECHL games (33-24-57, 336 PIM), with the Jacksonville Lizard Kings, Raleigh IceCaps, Louisiana IceGators and Richmond Renegades.

Before turning pro, Cunniff played Division III college hockey at Salem State.  His father, John Cunniff, was a long-time pro player, coach and scout, who skated for the New England Whalers in the World Hockey Association and was both a head coach and assistant coach with the NHL Hartford Whalers.