EVERETT — Craig Hartsburg had an instant impact as head coach of the Everett Silvertips.
On Wednesday the Tips made sure they locked Hartsburg up for the immediate future.
Everett announced the signing of Hartsburg to a two-year extension Wednesday, inking him to a deal that extends through the 2012-13 season.
“I’m certainly excited about staying in Everett,” Hartsburg said via phone from his home in Stratford, Ontario. “You want to work with good people and I’m lucky to have good people around me who believe in the same things and share the same values. Also, being in Everett, I really liked it out there. It’s a gorgeous place with a great building and the best fans in the Western Hockey League.”
The Tips also extended the contracts of associate head coach Jay Varady and assistant coach Chris Hartsburg through 2012-13. Varady has been coaching with Everett since the team began play in 2003, Chris Hartsburg is entering his second season with the Tips.
Craig Hartsburg, a veteran of seven seasons coaching in the NHL, was hired last offseason to replace the fired John Becanic. In his first season with Everett, Craig Hartsburg guided the Tips to a 46-21-3-2 record, including a franchise-record, 14-game winning streak. Everett’s 97 points tied with the Tri-City Americans for the most in the WHL’s Western Conference.
“It was one of our priorities this offseason to secure Craig and his assistants through 2013,” Everett general manager Doug Soetaert said in a press release. “We felt they did an outstanding job last season, producing 97 points while forming a good foundation for this coming season. I’m looking forward to working with Craig, Jay and Chris for the next three years.”
Craig Hartsburg, who coached the NHL’s Ottawa Senators for 48 games in 2008-09 just prior to being hired by Everett, originally signed a two-year deal with the Tips. The extension firms up his commitment to Everett.
“We (Craig Hartsburg and his wife Peggy) went out there last year, but we weren’t sure what it would be like,” said Craig Hartsburg, who despite a decorated playing and coaching career had never been involved with the WHL.
“But once it got going I found the WHL to be a great league and I enjoyed that. The competition is great, and Doug and I are on the same page as far as the type of players we’re looking for — character kids who are committed to trying and be their best.
“We took a step last year toward trying to build an identity that was maybe a little different than before,” Craig Hartsburg added. “That was a step forward, and we want to try and continue that path.”
Nick Patterson’s Silvertips blog: http://www.heraldnet.com/silvertipsblog
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