The Adirondack Thunder have named Sylvain Cloutier as the team’s fifth head coach in team history. Cloutier replaces Peter MacArthur, who stepped down in May after three seasons as Adirondack’s head coach. He becomes the sixth former Adirondack Red Wing to coach a team in Glens Falls. It has not yet been announced whether he will carry the Director of Hockey Operations role, as the previous two head coaches did. Cloutier had spent the last three seasons coaching the Corpus Christi IceRays (NAHL). He held the head coach and GM roles during the past two seasons with the IceRays. Cloutier had previously taken a job as the Head Coach of the Baton Rouge Zydeco (FPHL) before taking the job in Adirondack. This is a smart move for Adirondack as they bring in someone with previous head coaching experience and someone with ties to the community.
Cloutier’s Playing Career
Sylvain Cloutier, 51, has ties to the Adirondack community, having played for the Adirondack Red Wings, Adirondack Ice Hawks, and Adirondack Frostbite. Cloutier is the only person to play for three Adirondack teams. In 287 games with the Red Wings, he would put up 45 goals and 103 assists for 148 points. He would be inducted into the Adirondack Hockey Hall of Fame in 2020. He finished his North American playing career in Adirondack with the Frostbite during the 2005-06 season. Cloutier would put up 31 goals and 59 assists in 75 games.
“We are proud to welcome Sylvain Cloutier back to Glens Falls,” said President Jeff Mead. “A respected alumnus of both the Adirondack Red Wings and Frostbite, and a member of the Adirondack Hockey Hall of Fame, Sylvain’s connection to this community and its hockey heritage makes him a natural fit to lead this team. His passion, experience, and dedication to Adirondack hockey will inspire both our players and our fans.”
Adirondack Thunder President Jeff Mead on the hiring of Sylvain Cloutier (Via Adirondack Thunder Press Release)
Cloutier spent 10 years in the AHL after being drafted in 1992 by the Detroit Red Wings. He would put up 86 goals and 188 assists for 274 points in 565 AHL games. He would win a Calder Cup in 2003 with the Houston Aeros. Cloutier would play seven games in the NHL during his career, all of which came with the Chicago Blackhawks. Cloutier finished his playing career by spending seven seasons in the EIHL. He had 96 goals and 190 assists for 286 points in 349 games before hanging up the skates after the 2013-14 season.
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