The Arizona Coyotes are very confident Mark Lamb is the right fit as head coach of their new AHL affiliate in Tucson.

Lamb left his job as Coach/GM of the Swift Current Broncos to accept his new position in Tucson. The Cadillac native's experience at the highest level was an asset in getting the opportunity.

"One is a history of coaching in the NHL and all the players he will be coaching in Tucson that's their goal not to be in Tucson but their goal is to get to the next level," said Coyotes GM John Chayka. "Mark Lamb has a high knowledge and understanding of what it takes to get there."

"From my interactions with him throughout this year and previously he came across as a very knowledgeable hockey man, a very innovative hockey mind, a good communicator (and) a guy that understands the development path and the model we're trying to integrate with our team."

Lamb has a long history with Arizona's NHL head coach Dave Tippett. He played for Tippett in the IHL and was his assistant coach for six seasons with the Dallas Stars.

"The big variable is that integration that we spoke about from day one," Chayka said. "It applies to the NHL and the AHL and that relationship with Dave Tippett where they can have frank and open discussions to collaborate together on every aspect of that team. To me that was the deciding factor."

Chayka has been keeping tabs on Lamb and got positive feedback from some of his former players.

"I was impressed by his team's ability to play a structured game but allow creativity," Chayka said. "Just talking to some of the players that played in Swift Current about their experiences with Mark they were especially high on his communication skills and the work he did with them after practices and such. I think he'll do a great job in Tucson."

Lamb spent seven seasons with the Broncos and took them to the playoffs four times.

The Coyotes emphasized his ability to develop players in their announcement of Lamb as the new coach in Tucson.

Swift Current will now be looking for their seventh head coach since the franchise came back from Lethbridge in 1986.