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Thrashers Promote Anderson To Coach

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The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 21, 2008

John Anderson never doubted his chance would come.

He just had to be very, very patient.

After coaching in the minors for 13 seasons - and winning five championships - Anderson finally landed a coveted NHL job when the Atlanta Thrashers announced him as the fourth coach in franchise history Friday.

Anderson was an obvious choice after leading the Thrashers' top affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, to the American Hockey League title. In fact, General Manager Don Waddell didn't start the interview process until the Wolves had beaten Scranton-Wilkes Barre in the Calder Cup finals on June 10.

"It was pretty obvious he would be our first choice," said Waddell, who also interviewed Thrashers assistant Brad McCrimmon and was thought to have strong interest in former Tampa Bay coach John Tortorella.

Still, Anderson wasn't taking anything for granted after being passed over for jobs in Anaheim, Toronto and Boston. After Waddell made the offer late Thursday, the new coach returned to his hotel room and cried.

"Sometimes you question yourself," the 51-year-old Anderson said. "But I really think things happen for a reason. Being in the minors for 13 years made me a better coach, a stronger person, a better person. I thank my lucky stars for all those years."

The Thrashers have plenty of work to do after finishing far out of the playoffs with the league's third-worst record. They have made the playoffs only once since entering the league in 1999 and have never won a postseason game.

"This is a new day, a new era for our franchise," Waddell said. "To be able to bring John on board is very exciting."

PANTHERS-COYOTES TRADE: Florida traded captain Olli Jokinen, a forward, to Phoenix for defensemen Nick Boynton and Keith Ballard and a second-round draft pick.

BLUES-PREDATORS TRADE: St. Louis acquired goaltender Chris Mason from Nashville for a fourth-round draft pick.

FLAMES TRADES: Calgary was busy at the NHL draft, acquiring center Mike Cammalleri from the Los Angeles Kings in a three-way deal and shipping forward Alex Tanguay to the Montreal Canadiens.

The Flames sent their first-round pick, 17th overall, to Los Angeles for Cammalleri. The Kings then traded the 17th and 28th picks in the first round to Anaheim for the Ducks' pick at No. 12.

FLYERS-BLUE JACKETS TRADE: Philadelphia traded versatile forward R.J. Umberger to Columbus. The Flyers received the 19th overall pick that was obtained by Columbus from Colorado and the Blue Jackets' third-round selection (67th overall). Philadelphia also sent the Blue Jackets its fourth-round choice (No. 119).

SENATORS: Ray Emery was placed on waivers by Ottawa, which intends to buy out the goalie's contract if he isn't claimed by another team within two days.

LEGAL: Mark Lafleur, the son of Montreal Canadiens great Guy Lafleur, was acquitted Friday of two counts of sexual assault after having pleaded guilty this week to more than a dozen other charges.

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