Minnesota Wild are ‘going to go in a different direction’
International Falls native Kevin Constantine is out as the head coach of the Houston Aeros, the Minnesota Wild’s top affiliate in the American Hockey League.
The Wild announced the news Wednesday.
“They’re going to go in a different direction with the coaching staff,” Constantine told The Journal on Wednesday afternoon.
The 1977 Falls High grad compiled a 117-94-11-18 record in three seasons with Houston and led the team to the playoffs in 2007-08 and 2008-09. The Aeros finished this season in seventh place in the West Division with a 34-34-7-5 record. A total of 12 players from Houston appeared in an NHL game with the Wild this season.
“We thank Kevin for his time and commitment to the Houston Aeros during the last three seasons and wish him the best in his future endeavors,” Houston Aeros general manager Jim Mill said in a press release.
The search for a new head coach will begin immediately.
“It was really fun,” Constantine said. “One of the main reasons I originally took the job with the Wild was because it was the home state. It was a big, big part of taking the job. It was a great three years being able to work in and around Doug Risebrough, Chuck Fletcher recently, Jacque Lemaire and Todd Richards.”
Constantine has been behind the bench as a head coach for 1,166 combined games, presiding over teams in the NHL, AHL, USHL, IHL and WHL.
He’s holding no grudges or harboring any resentment about Minnesota’s decision.
“I’m 51 and been in coaching for 25 years, so nothing is really very surprising to me anymore in the business,” he said, noting the Wild didn’t give him many details about their decision.
“I really didn’t dig into it much more than that,” he added.
Constantine, who met President George H.W. Bush and his wife Barbara this season, plans to look for another coaching job initially, before potentially falling into a pro scouting position with another organization. He said the Wild even left a door slightly open for him to come back as a scout.
“They definitely didn’t say I could stay, but it could be an option,” Constantine said.
The former Bronco mentioned his top two highlights with the Aeros were the run to the semifinals last spring and the development of Cal Clutterbuck.
“I’d like to stay in coaching. I still have a passion and a desire to do it,” he said. “If not, I couldn’t really tell you what the future holds.”
