Hartsburg Named Assistant Coach

WINDSOR , Colo. – The Colorado Eagles announced today that former forward Chris Hartsburg has been named Assistant Coach of the club.  In addition, Ryan Bach – who filled both the Assistant Coach and Goaltending Coach positions last season – will return as Goaltending Coach.      
After conferring with President and General Manager Chris Stewart, new Head Coach Kevin McClelland confidently selected Hartsburg as his assistant coach.  “Chris (Hartsburg) brings a wealth of hockey pedigree to the position and has been around the game for a long time,” said McClelland.  “After a handful of conversations with both Chris and Mr. Stewart, it was obvious that he’s a great choice and the right fit for the job.”        

After retiring due to injury last season, Hartsburg assisted the coaching staff as an inactive player.  “I thought Chris did a great job last year and really became an asset in the playoffs,” said Stewart.  “In meeting with Kevin, I had no reservations about recommending him as the Assistant Coach.”     
The 28-year old native of Sault Saint Marie, Ontario follows his father Craig into the coaching ranks.  The elder Hartsburg was recently named the new Head Coach of the Ottawa Senators after several successful years as the Head Coach of the Sault Saint Marie Greyhounds (OHL) and the Canadian World Junior Team.  Previously, Craig Hartsburg held NHL head coaching positions with the Chicago Blackhawks and the Anaheim Mighty Ducks.  
“I’m excited to start this next phase of my life and career,” said the new Assistant Coach.  “I’m extremely fortunate to be getting the opportunity to work with two great hockey people in Chris Stewart and Kevin McClelland, and I couldn’t ask for a better place to start my coaching career than with the Colorado Eagles.”  
Bach’s decision to return as Goaltending Coach will allow him to stay involved with the Eagles while devoting more time to his full-time job in the real estate business.  The former NHL netminder was the Eagles’ goalie in their inaugural season before retiring to the real estate business and becoming the team’s Goaltending Coach from 2004-05-2007-08.   Last season, he gained the title of Assistant Coach and began the year as Interim Head Coach while Chris Stewart recovered from offseason back surgery.