The New York Rangers have officially hired Jay Leach as the head coach of their AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, marking him as the ninth head coach in the team's history. Leach, 46, has spent the last five seasons as an assistant coach in the NHL, working with both the Seattle Kraken and the Boston Bruins. His appointment comes after the Rangers sought permission to interview him for their NHL coaching position in 2023. Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan has expressed confidence in Leach's leadership abilities, stating that players are drawn to him and highlighting his strong work ethic and humility. Leach's coaching resume includes a successful tenure with the Providence Bruins from 2017 to 2021, where he led the team to consecutive Atlantic Division titles and a record of 136 wins, 77 losses, and 26 overtime losses. His prior experience as a player includes 70 NHL games with teams such as the Bruins and Lightning, contributing to his understanding of the game and coaching effectiveness. Leach's hiring aligns with the Rangers' goal of refreshing their prospect pool and fostering player development within the organization.