BOSTON (AP) – Greg Cronin was named head hockey coach at Northeastern University on Tuesday after working in the New York Islanders organization since 1998.

Cronin succeeds Bruce Crowder, a former Boston Bruin and Pittsburgh Penguin whose contract was not renewed after the Huskies went 15-18-5 in his ninth season as coach.

Cronin was in his second season as head coach of the Islanders’ top minor-league team, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the AHL. The Boston native also has been the Islanders’ director of player development since 2002.

“We wanted a coach who is passionate about hockey, understands what it takes to win, and expects to win,” Northeastern athletic director Dave O’Brien said. “He has top-flight college recruiting and (assistant) coaching experience at Colorado College and the University of Maine. He has national level skill development experience with USA Hockey.”

Cronin joined the Islanders as an assistant coach in 1998, handling penalty killing.

AP-ES-04-12-05 1847EDT