There’s a new coach in Chocolatetown; Scott Allen takes over as the 27th head coach in Hershey Bears franchise history.
He sat down with The Sports Extra Podcast to talk about his coaching philosophy, Spencer Carbery’s influence and playing hockey as a kid outside of Boston. Allen brings 25 years of coaching experience to Hershey, including the past two seasons as an assistant on the Bears bench.
LISTEN ON
Hockey Career
UNIONDALE, NY – JULY 07: Assistant coach of the Brideport Sound Tigers, Scott Allen gives players instruction during the New York Islanders rookie camp at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on July 7, 2010 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) 
UNIONDALE, NY – FEBRUARY 11: Assistant coach Scott Allen of the New York Islanders looks on prior to the game against the Los Angeles Kings on February 11, 2012 at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Kings 2-1 in overtime. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) 
UNIONDALE, NY – MARCH 13: (L-R) Assistant coach Scott Allen and head coach Jack Capuano of the New York Islanders prepare for their game against the Washington Capitals at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on March 13, 2012 in Uniondale, New York. The Capitals defeated the Islanders 5-4 in the shootout. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
In his accomplished career, Allen has been behind the bench for over 1,800 games at the NHL, AHL, and ECHL levels. He joined Hershey’s staff as an assistant coach in 2019, working under Spencer Carbery and helping the Bears to the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy as the American Hockey League’s regular season champions in 2020-21.
The New Bedford, Mass. native has coached 13 seasons in the AHL. He started the 2015-16 campaign as an assistant coach with the Portland Pirates, and was promoted to head coach of the Pirates on Jan. 1, 2016, helping guide the club to a playoff berth. In addition to Portland, Allen has worked as an assistant coach with San Antonio (2002-04, 2014-15), Lowell (2004-05), Omaha (2005-07), Quad City (2007-09), Peoria (2012-13), and Chicago (2013-14). He twice took over head coaching duties mid-season with San Antonio in 2002-03 and 2003-04.
Allen’s NHL experience includes a stint with the New York Islanders where he served as an assistant coach from 2009-12, coaching current Hershey captain Matt Moulson. Allen also worked as an assistant coach with the Florida Panthers in 2016-17 before joining the Arizona Coyotes in 2017 to oversee the team’s defense and penalty kill units. Under Allen’s watch, the Coyotes were tied for the top penalty kill unit in the NHL in 2018-19 at 85%, and the team tied for fifth in the NHL in goals against.
Allen started his coaching career in Pennsylvania, joining the ECHL’s Johnstown Chiefs as an assistant coach in 1996-97. He took over head coaching duties later in 1997, and served as the Chiefs bench boss until 2002. A former forward, Allen played professionally before moving behind the bench, including claiming back-to-back ECHL titles with Carolina in 1989 and Greensboro in 1990.
Also in the episode
The podcast also breaks down the upcoming 2021-22 Hershey Bears season, expectations for the best team in the AHL in 2021 and how the roster is shaping up.
Meet the voices behind the podcast: Allie Berube and Logan Reever. The Sports Extra Podcast is designed to bring listeners closer to the games, teams and athletes they love. The podcast will dive deeper than the hosts can go on TV.
The Sports Extra Podcast releases episodes every Thursday. The goal is to talk about national sports with a local flair. Allie & Logan bring guests on each week to share their perspectives on sports.
You can catch The Sports Extra Podcast presented by abc27 each week. The team drops new episodes every Thursday. Listen wherever you get your podcasts or right here on abc27.com.
