Stothers talks friendship with Sommer, AHL record

Tonight when the San Jose Barracuda visit Ontario at 7 p.m., their head coach Roy Sommer can tie the AHL wins record for a head coach. Standing at 635 AHL wins, Sommer is looking at Fred “Bun” Cook’s 636. Here’s a great story about the record and Sommer’s journey from NHL.com correspondent Eric Gilmore. The hockey world’s a small one and Reign head coach Mike Stothers and Sommer go way back, back far enough that they even won a Calder Cup together with the Maine Mariners in the ’80s. On Thursday I talked with Stothers about their relationship and the record.

Stothers, on his friendship with Sommer:
Well we played together in Maine, we won a Calder Cup together in Maine. That’s many, many years ago, 83-84 season. It’s one of those where it’s the typical hockey thing where you lose touch with each other, you go in different directions. Then whenever you do hook up together it’s like you were just together yesterday. Good guy, a real good coach. His longevity is certainly something to be appreciated by everybody, especially in this business. He’s done a good job and his team’s playing extremely well right now. We always have a good, competitive game, but we always talk before the game. We always talk after the game. Whatever it is is decided on the ice. We usually enjoy each others’ company.

Stothers, on Sommer having a chance at the record vs. his team:
I hope he gets it, but I hope it’s not against us. Wow, that’s special. Good for him. Regardless, he’s going to get it sooner or later but I’d just prefer it’s not against us. Wow, that’s quite a feat. Good for him.