Ben Birnell

UTICA Trent Cull knows the importance of one aspect of his job.

The 43-year-old coach and former player acknowledges helping the next generations best hockey players grow in an effort to make it to the National Hockey League has great significance to him.

As the Utica Comets newest head coach, Cull will get the opportunity to help shape some of the games top prospects in the American Hockey League. Cull was announced Wednesday as the replacement for Travis Green, who was promoted to the NHLs Vancouver Canucks in April after four seasons leading the Comets.

I feel that one of my strengths is developing players, said Cull, who recently helped the North Division rival Syracuse Crunch to a Calder Cup finals appearance as an assistant coach. I want to develop our team and our players because then were going to have a better team.

To have a kid sit in a chair in front of you and tell him hes going to the NHL, is probably the best feeling. Its almost like a proud father. (To have) a kid youve worked with for two days or five years and send them on their way and reach their goal their dream thats exciting.

So how will the Comets play on the ice? Cull said he wants to continue the detailed, hard-working structure associated with Greens teams, which made the playoffs twice in his four seasons, including a run to the Calder Cup finals in 2015.

I know I have some big shoes to fill, said Cull, who showed a confident and good-natured demeanor at a news conference Wednesday at the Utica Memorial Auditorium. Travis is a great coach.

Culls pro coaching experience comes as an assistant, spending eight of the last 11 seasons with Syracuse. He was also head coach of the junior Ontario Hockey Leagues Sudbury Wolves from 2010 to 2013, compiling a regular-season record of 94-88-11-11.

A former defenseman, Cull said he wants his teams to play with speed, but also be defensive-minded.

Obviously, were not going to be the Pittsburgh Penguins, but we want to play the game fast, Cull said. We want to be a team that plays hard. Hard is such a different word now than what has happened in the past. Its not about fighting, but it is about being firm. We want to make sure were playing the game with a little bit of a snarl.

The Syracuse rivalry aside, Cull has another link to the Mohawk Valley. He crossed paths briefly with Whitesboro native and Comets President Rob Esche while both were in the Phoenix Coyotes' system during the 1999-2000 season. The NHL organization was then affiliated with the Springfield Falcons.

In total, Cull spent his 10-year career playing in the AHL and the now-defunct International Hockey League. He totaled 435 regular-season AHL games with St. Johns, Springfield, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Houston and Syracuse, accumulating 70 points with 1,049 career penalty minutes. Cull was a member of Wilkes-Barre/Scrantons Calder Cup finals team in 2000-01.

For me, it just stinks when you dont win, Cull said. When you know youre good enough to win and (don't), its something to chew on for a while. I have to find a way to do that with the (Comets)."

Esche said Vancouver officials did their due diligence and were massively excited about adding Cull to the organization. Cull said he met with Green and Vancouver officials last weekend at the NHL draft in Chicago.

"He's just a remarkable guy," Esche said. "I think he's got a genuine passion for development. It doesn't matter even if you're in the NHL you're always developing. Every day is about getting better. ... You dont get to places (Green) and Trent have been without getting better every day.

Jason King, who joined the Comets last season as a full-time assistant, remains on the staff. Cull said another assistant will be added to replace Nolan Baumgartner, who joined Green in Vancouver. With Cull set to help at the Canucks prospects camp next week in the Vancouver area, he said another assistant will be among the topics discussed.

Cull said his experience with Utica is limited to visits to the Aud. He said he looks forward to establishing roots in the area with his wife, Marcia and their three young boys.

When you feel the vibe of (the Aud) you see everybody come and its almost like a family atmosphere, Cull said. It is just kind of a great pride around the rink.

For Vancouver having their team here, I think is a win-win. Im excited to be part of that. Not only the team here in the building, but being part of the fabric of the community. Were going to be around. I just look forward to the whole opportunity.

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Trent Cull named Utica Comets head coach - Utica Observer Dispatch