Bob Hartley, who coached the Zurich ZSC Lions to this year's Swiss League title, was named the new coach of the National Hockey League's Calgary Flames on Thursday, the team announced.
Hartley, a Canadian, guided the Colorado Avalanche to the 2001 Stanley Cup crown during a five-season tenure in Denver and also coached the Atlanta Thrashers, now the Winnipeg Jets, for parts of five seasons.
"Bob Hartley is a winner," Flames general manager Jay Feaster said. "Bob has won at every level he has coached and we are confident he is going to continue his winning ways in Calgary.
"He's a tireless worker, an outstanding motivator, a great bench boss and game strategist and a teacher at heart."
Hartley had served as a television ice hockey analyst until taking over the Lions at the start of this past season.
"I would like to express my appreciation to the ZSC Lions for the tremendous experience of coaching and living in Switzerland and also complying with my wishes to depart their organization for the Calgary Flames," Hartley said.
Source: AFP American Edition
