Jay McKee embraces new AHL challenge at NY Islanders development camp

For Jay McKee, the first day of New York Islanders development camp represented more than just the start of another hockey season. It marked the beginning of a new chapter in his coaching career.

After spending seven seasons as head coach of the OHL's Brantford Bulldogs franchise, McKee is making the jump to professional hockey as the new head coach of the Islanders' new AHL affiliate in Hamilton, the Hammers, which will start their inaugural season later this fall.

"Well, it's the same game, right? It's the same game," McKee said following the opening session of development camp. "Different level of players."

McKee's transition from junior hockey to the professional ranks comes with a learning curve, but it's one he appears eager to embrace. In the Ontario Hockey League, coaches are tasked primarily with developing young players. In the AHL, the mission becomes more complex, balancing development with the realities of professional hockey.

"As an AHL head coach, you're dealing with some different scenarios that you wouldn't deal with in the Ontario Hockey League," McKee said. "Players are obviously older. They're in different scenarios where some players are going to get called up, some may or may not."

One advantage McKee brings into his new role is the opportunity he recently had to work alongside veteran NHL coach Pete DeBoer. McKee described the experience as invaluable, giving him a chance to study the philosophies and systems of one of hockey's most accomplished bench bosses.

"We as coaches have our things we believe in, our systems, our structure," McKee said. "But Pete's an incredible coach that's done some amazing things."

As he begins his first development camp as an AHL head coach, McKee's embracing the challenge, knowing he's going to learn as much from others as the players will from him this season.

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