Tom Kostopoulos wasn't out of a job for long.
The Pittsburgh Penguins named Kostopoulos player development coach and Andy Chiodo goaltending development coach, Jim Rutherford announced on Wednesday. Both will work with current player development coach Jarrod Skalde under the guidance of director of player development Scott Young.
Kostopoulos, 39, made player development a main focus of his during his final seasons with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. When I spoke to Kostopoulos in April, he talked about the pride he felt when he was able to help the Penguins' young prospects make it to the NHL.
“Pittsburgh has done such a good job of drafting and signing young guys that are good players, but also good people,” he told me this week. “To see them come into Wilkes-Barre and work as hard as they do and develop as fast as they are, a big group of them to go up and win two Stanley Cups with Pittsburgh, and now this next young wave of players coming up, it’s very fulfilling to see them go up and play well in the NHL.”
Pittsburgh's front office has praised Kostopoulos for his role in the past. Mike Sullivan recognized Kostopoulos' influence during Sullivan’s first training camp as Pittsburgh’s coach in 2016.
“I can’t say enough about the influence he has on our young guys,” Sullivan said.” I think he represents everything that it means to be a Pittsburgh Penguin. For me, ‘TK’ is the consummate pro.”
Kostopoulos spoke about wanting a role like this during his final season, telling me he "definitely likes the coaching and developing side of hockey."
Given Kostopoulos' experience and the way Wilkes-Barre's young players have spoken about him as a leader, this hiring was a no-brainer.
Chiodo, another former Wilkes-Barre fan favorite, joins the organization after spending the 2017-18 season as the goaltending coach for the Ottawa 67's of the OHL.
