AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2008 > July > 24
Thursday, July 24, 2008
New Additions To Coaching Staff
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
When Brad McCrimmon left the Thrashers to take an assistant coaching position with the Red Wings earlier in the week, it was speculated that maybe John Anderson would dip into his staff from the Wolves to help fill the vacancy. Indeed he did…and then some.
Thursday afternoon the organ-I-zation announced two new additions to the coaching staff. The first, Todd Nelson, was Anderson’s assistant in Chicago for the past two years and helped guide that team to the Calder Cup this past season. The 39-year old native of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan also has coaching experience with the Muskegon Fury of the former United Hockey League as well as the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins.
His hiring came as little surprise. He was even here during the recent prospects camp, as Holly Gunning of Thrashers Prospects Annex reminds us.
However, joining Nelson is Randy Cunneyworth. The announcement of his hiring does come as a very welcome surprise, indeed. Cunneyworth is the eight-year coach of the Rochester Americans of the AHL. There, the 47-year old native of Etobicoke, Ontario, compiled a record of 306-267-67 behind the bench. His best mark was in the 2004-05 season where the Amerks went 51-23-6 and he won the Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award as the league’s most outstanding coach.
Cunneyworth has 16 years of NHL experience as a player scoring 189 goals and 225 assists 866 games. His time was split between Buffalo, Hartford, Pittsburgh, Winnipeg, Chicago and Ottawa.
The two will join Steve Weeks and Video Coach Tony Borgford who will continue in their roles from last season.
Welcome to both coaches!
One Blueland Lineup Is Set
Congratulations are in order for those selected to the 2008-09 edition of the Blue Crew! Well done, ladies…we look forward to seeing ya down at Philips!
