OTTAWA — The Ottawa Senators have hired Kurt Kleinendorst as head coach of their American Hockey League affiliate.

The Binghamton Senators agreed a two-year contract with Kleinendorst, bringing him back to team he led to the 2011 Calder Cup title.

Assistant coach Steve Stirling has also agreed to return to Binghamton, reuniting the pair of coaches that led the team to the AHL championship.

Kleinendorst previously coached Binghamton from 2010-2012, posting a 71-70-15 record.

The 55-year-old from Grand Rapids, Minn., broke into the professional coaching ranks with the ECHL's Raleigh Ice Caps in 1991. His spent nine years in the New Jersey Devils organization, including a season at the NHL level as part of Larry Robinson's staff, and coached ERC Ingolstadt of the German league last season.

"Kurt has a proven record of being able balance both development and winning at the AHL level," Binghamton Senators general manager Randy Lee said in a statement. "During his time in the organization our prospects were taught what it takes to be a good professional and how to understand their role as part of a successful team concept. We're very excited to have him back in the organization."