John Anderson Added to AHL All-Star Coaching Staff
January 5, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Chicago Wolves News Release
The American Hockey League announced Monday that Chicago Wolves head coach JOHN ANDERSON has been selected to join the coaching staff at the 2015 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Turning Stone Resort Casino. The annual event will take place Jan. 25-26 in Utica, N.Y.
ANDERSON, who ranks fifth among the AHL's all-time winningest coaches, was selected by league president and CEO David Andrews. He will join Travis Green, head coach of the Utica Comets, behind the bench for the Western Conference All Stars. Green had previously earned his spot when Utica clinched the best record in the conference at the Dec. 31 deadline.
"It's really good to see all the skilled players and who's out there," ANDERSON said. "It's a great scouting mission for me. When you watch a player in practice, too, and see his individual skills, you can tell a lot more. That's one benefit, but it really is an honor to be asked by the commissioner to come in. It's always fun. It's a blast."
This will be the coach's fourth time representing the Wolves at an All-Star Game and second since the team joined the AHL. He was behind the bench for both the 1999 and 2001 IHL All-Star Games and his lone AHL appearance came in 2003. He is 2-1 all-time, with his one loss coming in 1999, and is the only Wolves bench boss other than Don Granato (2009) to have coached at an All-Star Game.
The 57-year-old is in his 13th season (1997-2008, 2013-present) as head coach of the Wolves since rejoining the team in July 2013. He has compiled a 569-317-24-89 (W-L-T-OT/SOL) regular-season record (.626) and is set to coach his 1,000th regular-season game for the Wolves on Saturday in Grand Rapids. In addition, ANDERSON has led Chicago to all four of the team's championships (1998, 2000, 2002, 2008), only missing the postseason once in 12 seasons.
The Toronto native began coaching in 1995 following an extensive playing career, including 12 seasons in the NHL. He spent one season apiece with Winston-Salem (SHL) and Quad City (CoHL) before joining the Wolves. Between his stints with the team he spent two years (2008-10) with Atlanta (NHL) and two (2011-13) as an assistant with Phoenix (NHL).
The Wolves hit the road for matchups in Grand Rapids on Saturday and in Iowa on Jan. 13. Chicago returns to Allstate Arena at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 16, against Lake Erie as the squad debuts their Fight Against Cancer specialty jerseys. For tickets, call 1-800-THE-WOLVES or visit ChicagoWolves.com.
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