Flames Name Playfair Assistant Coach
January 3, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Saint John Flames News Release
Calgary, AB - Calgary Flames Vice-President & General Manager Craig Button announced today Jim Playfair has been named assistant coach of the Calgary Flames Hockey Club.
"The addition of Jim Playfair completes our coaching staff," said Button. "Under the leadership of Darryl Sutter our coaching staff gives our team and players a strong opportunity to succeed.
"Jim and I have a bond because we won a championship together (1990 IHL Turner Cup)," said Flames head coach Darryl Sutter. "Being a former defenseman, I really think we need that here to work with our young d-men. And he has worked with several of our players so I think it is an easy transition for him." Sutter continued, "Jim is a winner as a player and a coach. He has earned the right to be here.
Playfair was named head coach of the Saint John Flames on August 10, 2000 and has spent the past three seasons with Calgary's primary development club of the American Hockey League. During the 2000-2001 season, his first behind the bench in Saint John, Playfair led the Flames to their first AHL Calder Cup championship and was named minor professional coach of the year by The Hockey News. Over the course of his tenure, Saint John has posted an 83-77-22-10 record.
"I'm looking forward to the opportunity to work with Darryl Sutter and his current staff in Calgary," said Playfair. "I'm very familiar with many of Calgary's players as a result of my development role in Saint John and I'm excited about assisting Darryl as he moves our team forward to a higher level of success.
With today's announcement, Flames Development Coach Jamie Hislop will resume his original responsibilities with the hockey club. Hislop filled the role of interim assistant coach following the departure of Greg Gilbert and Brad McCrimmon on December 3rd. Ron Wilson will take over as head coach of the Saint John Flames.
Prior to joining the Flames organization, Playfair was the head coach of the Michigan K-Wings of the International Hockey League. He served as an assistant coach with the K-Wings for three seasons before being named head coach on January 25, 2000. His other head coaching experience includes three seasons as bench boss of the Dayton Bombers of the East Coast Hockey League.
The 38-year old native of Fort St. James, BC played nine seasons of professional hockey including 21 games in the NHL with Edmonton and Chicago. Playfair was Edmonton's first choice, 20th overall, in the 1982 NHL Entry Draft. He captained the Indianapolis Ice (IHL) to the 1990 Turner Cup championship but was forced to retire from playing due to a retina injury suffered during the 1991-92 campaign. As a junior, Playfair performed with the Portland Winterhawks for two seasons before concluding his junior career as a member of the Calgary Wranglers in 1984.
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