Mike Foligno, a veteran head coach in the Ontario Hockey League, has been named an assistant coach with the Ducks, succeeding Newell Brown. Brown was a Ducks assistant from 1998-2000 and again from 2005 until this week, when his contract was not renewed.

Foligno spent the last seven seasons as head coach and general manager of the Sudbury Wolves, compiling a 189-229-58 record. The Wolves went 26-35-7 last season and made the playoffs for the sixth time in Sudbury’s tenure, which included a conference championship in 2006-07.

Foligno has previously served as an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs (1995-96) and Colorado Avalanche (1997-98). He served as the head coach of the AHL’s Hershey Bears from 1998-2003.

“He wanted to come back to the NHL,” Ducks general manager Bob Murray said. “I think this was the right time. He’s really passionate. He’s got charisma. I think he’s going to work very well with our forwards.”

In a 15-year NHL playing career (1979-94) with Detroit, Buffalo, Toronto and Florida, Foligno collected 355 goals, 727 points and 2,049 penalty minutes in 1,018 games. A right wing, Foligno’s best season came with Buffalo in 1985-86, when he scored 41 goals and 80 points in 79 games.

Brown was responsible for running the Ducks’ power play, a role Foligno can possibly expect to assume with fellow assistant coach Dave Farrish already in charge of the penalty kill.