Thursday, June 11, 2009

Crawford Hired As Stars Coach

((HT: TSN))

Well, that didn't last long- the worst kept secret in the NHL is out.

The Dallas Stars have hired Marc Crawford ((pictured, thanks Jeff Vinnick/Getty)) to be their next head coach. The move comes one day after the team announced the dismissal of Dave Tippett.

''I am very excited that we have been able to secure Marc Crawford as head coach of the Dallas Stars,'' said Stars general manager Joe Nieuwendyk. ''Marc is a winner with extensive experience in this league, and I am confident he will get the most out of our hockey club.''

This will be Crawford's fourth assignment behind an NHL bench. He began his career with the Quebec Nordiques-Colorado Avalanche franchise, and also coached the Vancouver Canucks and Los Angeles Kings.

''I'm very excited and honored to have been selected as head coach of the Dallas Stars,'' said Crawford. ''This is a winning organization and I look forward to building upon the success that it has earned over the years. This club has a great deal of potential, and I'm eager to get to work in restoring the franchise to among the league's elite.''

He won the Jack Adams Award as coach of the year in 1995, and also won the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 1996.

Crawford, 48, is a native of Belleville, Ontario. He spent the past season as a broadcaster after being fired by the Kings after the 2007-08 campaign.

He has coached in 987 NHL games, with a record of 470-361-156.

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