Everett, Wash.
Published: Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Silvertips' new coach brings excitement, experience

Players say they're happy Craig Hartsburg has both experience in the NHL and at the major-junior level.

By Nick Patterson
Herald writer

 EVERETT -- There was a buzz surrounding the proceedings at Ballroom 1 of the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center on Tuesday afternoon.

Scores of excited Everett Silvertips fans were on hand to catch a glimpse of their new head coach. Television cameras recorded his first words in his new position. Even the front-office workers, who had been aware of the situation for weeks, had a little extra spring to their step.

Such is the case when someone with a strong NHL pedigree arrives to take over a major-junior team.

Craig Hartsburg was officially introduced as Everett's new head coach during a press conference Tuesday, and the former NHL bench boss is prepared to lead the Silvertips back to the upper echelon of the Western Hockey League.

"I'm looking forward to it," Hartsburg said. "I've heard nothing but great things about the fans here and the support they give this hockey team. Our goal and job is to give them something to cheer about."

Hartsburg becomes the third head coach in Everett's six-year history. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, though previous reports said it was a two-year contract.

Associate head coach Jay Varady and assistant coach Mark LeRose will retain their positions.

Hartsburg brings a wealth of experience to Everett. The 49-year-old from Stratford, Ontario, spent 10 seasons as a player in the NHL, as well as another seven as a head coach, most recently guiding the Ottawa Senators for the first 48 games of last season. His seven seasons as a head coach in the NHL are more than any other current WHL head man.

"It's a little surreal," said Tips right wing Kellan Tochkin, who attended the press conference. "He was in Ottawa last year and you see him behind the bench when you're watching television, and now he's going to be behind our bench. It's a pretty big honor and something I think all the boys are ready for. We're ready for that excitement and intensity.

"When the name was thrown out there we were all kind of hoping it would be Craig," Tochkin added. "It's awesome, words can't really describe someone who you can tell you're going to have so much respect for."

Hartsburg also has plenty of experience as the major-junior level. He spent six seasons as a head coach in the Ontario Hockey League, winning three division titles, and he also won two gold medals as the head coach of Canada's entry to the World Junior Hockey Championships.

"I'm very excited about it," said center Zack Dailey, who served as Everett's captain last season. "He has a very impressive resume. It should be a good year, I'm really excited, I wish we could start today."

Hartsburg is charged with changing the fortunes of an Everett team that last season suffered the first losing campaign in franchise history.

"He has a very impressive resume of NHL experience as a player and coach, and as a major-junior coach he was also very successful," Everett general manager Doug Soetaert said. "So he covered all the bases we were looking at, and on top of it he's won a couple of World Juniors. He definitely has the credentials to be a successful coach."

Hartsburg was one of Soetaert's first targets following John Becanic's dismissal in April. Soetaert first contacted Hartsburg in May, with the pair making contact multiple times via phone before Hartsburg and his wife, Peggy, visited Everett on June 11-14. An agreement was reached approximately a week ago as Everett landed a coach who was still in demand at the NHL level as an assistant.

"As recently as yesterday I talked to some NHL teams," Hartsburg said. "I didn't want to wait. I've had a lot of fun and success in junior. After what happened last year in Ottawa (when Hartsburg was fired midseason) we wanted to do something to feel good about ourselves.

"To be honest, I wasn't sure if I really wanted to go back to junior hockey," Hartsburg added. "If I did, it would have to be a great place with great people to work with."

Everett fit that bill, and now Soetaert believes he has the right person in place to replicate the success the team had under Kevin Constantine, who won three division titles during his four seasons in charge.

"I think (Hartsburg) brings a great amount of leadership to our organization as a coach," Soetaert said. "Besides his credentials, I think when he walks in the room the players will know that he's definitely in charge. They're going to have to motivate themselves to play for him because he isn't going to give any passes. He's been through the wars as a player and a coach at all levels. He knows what it takes."

Nick Patterson's Silvertips blog: http://www.heraldnet.com/silvertipsblog
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA