Another change to the Minnesota Wild coaching staff happened this afternoon with an announcement by the Iowa Wild, the AHL affiliate farm team. It was announced that Cody Franson, assistant coach for the 2023-24 season, was parting ways with the team.
Franson was hired on December 28, 2023 by the Iowa Wild. He was an in-season replacement for coach Patrick Dwyer, who was pulled up to Minnesota after Bob Woods was fired along with former Head Coach Dean Evason. Franson came with 15 seasons of playing hockey under his belt. He played 957 games as a defenseman during time with four different leagues (NHL, AHL, KHL, and the SHL). Franson’s position with the Iowa Wild was his first professional coaching job.
Franson’s exit isn’t totally surprising as Minnesota Wild Head Coach John Hynes looks to bring in his own staff throughout the organization. Assistant Coach Darby Hendrickson was fired just over a week ago from his longtime position behind the Minnesota bench. And Brett McLean was promoted from assistant coach for Minnesota to Iowa’s head coach before the 2023-24 season.
The social media post put out by the Iowa Wild indicates they are currently in the process of searching for another assistant coach during the offseason. There has been no word of Franson’s plans after leaving the Iowa Wild.
Will there be more staff changes within the Minnesota Wild organization? It wouldn’t be a surprise after the coaching changes that they’ve already made since ending their season short of a playoff berth. Hynes signed a multiyear deal when he came to Minnesota and may use the offseason to hand-select coaching staff that he has familiarity with.
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