John Anderson Named Head Coach of the Atlanta Thrashers
June 20, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Chicago Wolves News Release
The Chicago Wolves longtime head coach, JOHN ANDERSON, has been tapped to fill the same role behind the bench of the Atlanta Thrashers, the Wolves' National Hockey League affiliate. This marks ANDERSON's first NHL coaching position.
ANDERSON captured four league titles in 11 years as the bench boss of the Wolves, which includes the 2008 Calder Cup Championship. The Toronto native guided Chicago to the International Hockey League's Turner Cup in 1998 and 2000 and the team's first Calder Cup in 2002. He leaves as the winningest coach in Wolves history, racking up 506 victories in 808 regular season contests and 105 postseason wins since assuming the helm prior to the 1997-98 campaign.
"On behalf on the entire Chicago Wolves organization, I want first and foremost to thank John for his many years of dedicated service," said Wolves General Manager KEVIN CHEVELDAYOFF. "It is with great pride that I wish him the best of luck in his new endeavor. He has earned this opportunity and I am confident that his track record of success will continue."
ANDERSON, who racked up a 506-283-24-28-47 (.688) regular-season record, led Chicago to 10 postseason berths in his 11 seasons behind the bench. Under his leadership, the Wolves established numerous team records, including 55 wins (1997-98); 114 points (1999-2000); 29 home wins (1997-98, 1998-99 and 2007-08); 27 road wins (1999-2000, 2006-07); 331 goals (2006-07); and 208 goals-against.
Prior to joining the Wolves, the 51-year-old led the Winston-Salem Mammoths to the Southern Hockey League Finals in 1995-96 and captured the Colonial Cup as the head coach of the Quad City Mallards of the Colonial Hockey League - now the International Hockey League - in 1996-97.
The Toronto Maple Leafs' first pick (11th overall) in the 1977 amateur draft, ANDERSON played 12 seasons in the NHL with the Maple Leafs (1977-1985); Quebec Nordiques (1985-86); and Hartford Whalers (1986-1989). He racked up five 30-goal campaigns in the NHL, including four straight from 1981 to 1985. Overall, he amassed 282 goals and 631 points in 814 career NHL games, along with nine goals and 27 points in 37 career Stanley Cup Playoff contests.
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