A former NHL defenseman with ties to New England has joined the coaching staff of a minor-league hockey team, taking on an assistant role under the leadership of a veteran forward-turned-head coach. The appointment brings experience from professional ice hockey to the organization, with both figures having deep backgrounds in the sport. Fans of local hockey may take note of the connection between the new assistant and the region, given his hometown’s proximity to that of another key figure in the team’s leadership. The move could signal a strategic shift in the team’s approach to player development and on-ice strategy.

Longtime NHL forward Scott Gomez is the Steel’s head coach, and former NHL defenseman Mike Mottau – who hails from Quincy, Mass., not far from McFadden’s hometown of Holbrook, Mass. – is an assistant ...