Music: {allcanada} CANUCKS NAME MACTAVISH NEW HEAD COACH OF AHL AFFILIATE

Monday, August 1, 2011

{allcanada} CANUCKS NAME MACTAVISH NEW HEAD COACH OF AHL AFFILIATE

The Vancouver Canucks, in conjunction with the Chicago Wolves, named Craig MacTavish as head coach of the Canucks AHL affiliate on Monday.

MacTavish becomes the eighth head coach in the Wolves' franchise history. The London, Ontario, native joins the Wolves after eight seasons as head coach of the Edmonton Oilers.

"We are thrilled to have Craig join our organization," said Canucks president and general manager Mike Gillis. "He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be invaluable as we continue to develop our players and create a winning environment in Chicago."

During MacTavish's tenure with the Oilers, the 52-year-old led the team to a 301-252-47-56 record in 656 regular season games from 2000 to 2009. Highlighted by a Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2006, MacTavish also posted a career winning record in the playoffs, going 19-17.

MacTavish became the 36th coach in NHL history to win 300-or-more games, accomplishing the feat during the 2008.09 season. At the conclusion of his tenure with the Oilers, MacTavish ranked 36th all-time in wins and 41st in games coached in the history of the NHL.

After leaving the Oilers organization following the 2008-09 season, MacTavish earned a master's degree in business from Queen's University.

Prior to being named head coach of Edmonton, MacTavish spent the 1999-2000 season as an assistant coach with the Oilers and two seasons as an assistant coach with the New York Rangers, beginning in 1997-98.