Kleinendorst not surprised he won’t be returning to Belleville

Kurt Kleinendorst is taking the high road as he leaves the Ottawa Senators organization for the second time, refusing to be bitter about not being renewed as coach of the club’s American Hockey League affiliate in Belleville.

“No, not really, it didn’t surprise me,” Kleinendorst said in a telephone interview Tuesday after Senators general manager Pierre Dorion broke the news on TSN 1200.

“I’m disappointed because, for me, when you commit to that job, a big piece of it is committing to development and sometimes you make decisions that don’t always work with regards to helping the team win.”

Kleinendorst is the first to acknowledge the record was “ugly.” Belleville went 29-42-5 during the 2017-18 season, sixth in the North Division and a far cry from a playoff berth.

Under Kleinendorst in the franchise’s final season in Binghamton in 2016-17, the Senators also missed the post-season with a record of 28-44-4.

At the same time, he’s proud that Belleville fought hard throughout the season, despite being shorthanded due to call-ups to the NHL and a steady run of injuries.

“I’m disappointed because we put a lot of work in and we weren’t rewarded for all the hard work,” he said. “It will always pay off. It just might not be today.”

Kleinendorst’s first stint with the Senators ended much differently. In 2010-11, he coached Binghamton to the Calder Cup title as AHL champions and interviewed for the Senators’ then-vacant head coaching job. He left the organization for the first time after the 2011-12 season.

“I’ve been very lucky,” said Kleinendorst. “I have a Stanley Cup ring (as an assistant with the New Jersey Devils). I’ve won a world championship (with the U.S.). If I don’t coach another day, it’s been pretty good. I’ve had work for the past 28 years. Unfortunately, the last few have been tough.”