Hartsburg confirmed
Published 12:39 pm Monday, June 22, 2009
A source in the Silvertips organization has confirmed that Craig Hartsburg will indeed be Everett’s next coach. He will be introduced at tomorrow’s press conference.
This is a big name. Hartsburg has seven seasons of experience as an NHL head coach, including 48 games last season with the Ottawa Senators. I believe that’s the most NHL head coaching tenure of any coach in the WHL, though I can’t say with certainty. It’s more NHL coaching time than Vancovuer Giants coach Don Hay, who’s a WHL coaching legend. He has more NHL games coached than former Everett coach Kevin Constantine.
Hartsburg also has plenty of experience at the major-junior level, with six season as a head coach in the OHL, including three division titles. He’s also not far removed from juniors as he coached the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds from 2004-08. He also has hardware from coaching Canada to gold at the 2007 and 2008 World Juniors.
The prevailing opinion when Everett’s coaching search began was that the Tips were looking for a big name with strong track record. I’d have to say they accomplished that, and more, with the hiring of Hartsburg. I look forward to learning more about him at tomorrow’s press conference.
