“Frosting on the NCAAs: Kinnear’s Taciturn Tactics Exemplified Through Checkers”

**Jody Kinnear: A Selfless Approach to Success**

Patrick Williams, TheAHL.com Features Writer

Jody Kinnear, a hard-nosed and team-first defenseman, was a key player for the Albany River Rats during the tough days of the 1990s. He played with an unglamorous, no-nonsense style. It’s no surprise that he coaches with the same selfless, low-key approach he played with.

As of New Year’s Eve, his Charlotte Checkers, the top-scoring team in the Atlantic Division, will take part in the 2025 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Spotlight 29 Casino on February 2-3 in Palm Desert, California.

Kinnear’s journey began in the AHL as a 20-year-old rookie in 1993 with the New Jersey Devils, a seventh-round pick who had to fight for every minute of playing time in the organization’s ultra-competitive and developing system. He won the Calder Cup with the River Rats in his second season and subsequently became the team’s captain.

But as Albany produces one future NHL player after another, it becomes increasingly difficult for players to stay on the roster of NHL teams that win the Stanley Cup. After six years in New Jersey’s system, Kinnear had a breakthrough signing with the expansion team Atlanta Thrashers in 1999, making his NHL debut on March 6, 2000, in Montreal.

He returned to the Devils in a trade in November 2000 before a back injury halted his career. Kinnear was forced to retire at just 27 years old and served as an assistant coach in Albany during the 2001-02 season.

Now in his 23rd season as an AHL coach, Kinnear has become a regular in the league. He stayed in Albany after the River Rats formed a developmental partnership with the Carolina Hurricanes, then moved to Charlotte in 2010 when the team relocated to the south.

In 2016, Kinnear was offered a head coaching position when the Florida Panthers hired him to lead their new affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds. The Panthers spent 2020 with Charlotte, but Kinnear oversaw their players in Syracuse after the Checkers opted out of the COVID-shortened season. He officially returns to the Queen City in 2021, and the club is currently 19-8-1-2 (41 points) this season, two points shy of the top spot in the Atlantic.

Even with injuries plaguing the team, they have still performed well, winning 12 of their last 16 games. After a 3-2 overtime win over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Friday, they enter a week-long break before a six-game homestand begins on January 10.

“To me, that’s really where we took off – the way that everyone embraced it [with] We play how we want to play,” Kinnear said. “It’s been a collective effort. Everyone has contributed to the team’s success so far.

Charlotte certainly has a lot of high-end talent. The team’s offensive efficiency is 30.8% (including 38.2% at home), which is far ahead in the league, and can launch offense when needed. They lost 2-0 to the Penguins on Friday but bounced back with an overtime win. But if a team takes a head coach’s approach, the Checkers fit that description. They lead the league in goals scored (3.67 goals per game). They have outshot their opponents in 25 of 30 games and are allowing a league-low 24.5 shots per game this season. They shot 87.1% from the penalty spot, which ranked third in the AHL, and scored a league-high nine goals while shorthanded.

The Checkers are a very detailed team.

Over the years of his career, whether on the ice or on the bench, Kinnear has developed some non-negotiable principles in how he manages his team and how his players play.

“You have to respect the process,” he outlines. “You make sure you’re winning every day and you’re teaching the right way to play and what winning hockey looks like. Whether it’s a win, a bad game, or a good game and a loss, You all do that. I think you have to be consistent.

And so does the Checkers, which is why Kinnear is headed to Acrisure Arena next month.

“I’m proud of this team so far,” Kinnear said. “We still have a lot of work to do, but I’m very, very honored and humbled to represent the Checkers.”

**FAQ**

Q: What is Jody Kinnear’s coaching philosophy?
A: Kinnear stresses the importance of respecting the process and being consistent in one’s approach to the game.

Q: What is the key to the Checkers’ success this season?
A: The team’s ability to score goals (3.67 goals per game) and limit opponents’ shots per game (24.5) has been crucial to their success.

Q: What is Kinnear’s background in the AHL?
A: Kinnear played in the AHL from 1993 to 2000 and has been an assistant or head coach in the league for over 20 years.

**Conclusion**

Jody Kinnear’s selfless approach to coaching has paid off for the Charlotte Checkers, who will appear at the 2025 AHL All-Star Classic. With a focus on teamwork and consistency, Kinnear has developed a winning team that is poised for a strong finish in the Atlantic Division. As the Checkers continue to excel, Kinnear’s name will be etched alongside other successful AHL coaches.