Atlanta, GA (My Sportsbook) - The
Atlanta Thrashers introduced Bob Hartley as the team's new head coach on Tuesday.
Hartley was selected over Terry Murray and will skate with the team at Tuesday afternoon's practice. His first game behind the Atlanta bench will be on Wednesday night against Montreal.
"I'm ecstatic to have the opportunity to get back into coaching again this season and be a part of an exciting, young organization like the Thrashers," said Hartley. "Each coaching situation has its own set of challenges and opportunities. This team has some great talent, and I look forward to taking them to the next level."
In four-plus seasons as head coach of the Colorado Avalanche, Hartley posted a 193-109-48-9 record, including a 10-8-9-4 mark this year. He fired by Colorado earlier this season.
Hartley guided Colorado to four straight Northwest Division titles and Western Conference Finals appearances and the Stanley Cup championship in 2001.
"Bob is a proven winner in the NHL and has an impressive record of success," said Thrashers vice president and general manager Don Waddell. "Hiring him to coach this team is another major example of our efforts to continue to build and improve this hockey club. His leadership and experience behind the bench will be a huge plus for all of our players now and for many years to come."
Hartley's coaching career began in 1987 with the Hawkesbury Hawks of the Canadian Junior Hockey League. He guided the Hawks for four seasons, winning the CJHL title twice.
In 1991, Hartley was named head coach of Laval of the Quebec Major Junior League and coached the Titans for two seasons. In 1993, he became an assistant with Cornwall of the American Hockey League. Hartley became the head coach of the Aces in 1994 and moved on to Hershey, Colorado's affiliate in the AHL in 1996. He coached two seasons in Chocolatetown before becoming the Avalanche head man in 1998.
Atlanta fired head coach Curt Fraser on December 26 after the team got off to an 8-20-1-4 start. General manager Don Waddell then took over behind the bench on an interim basis.
