ATLANTA, Ga. — On the eve of the 2008 NHL Draft, the Atlanta Thrashers filled probably the biggest hole in it’s franchise. Just hours before making two selections in the first round, Executive Vice President and General Manager Don Waddell announced that the team has hired Chicago Wolves’ coach John Anderson to take over behind the bench for the parent club. The Wolves have been the Thrashers’ AHL affiliate since 2001.
Anderson, 51, has had tremendous success with the Wolves, guiding the team to ten Calder Cup playoff appearances and two championships, including the Wolves’ recent title win. Prior to joining the AHL, Anderson and the Wolves won two Turner Cup titles while the franchise was a member of the International Hockey League. In all, his record with the Wolves is a sterling 506-283-99 with another 105 victories in post-season play.
Anderson played for Waddell when the Thrashers front office chief held the general manager’s position in San Diego during the 1992-93 season. Anderson, who was chosen as the number 11 overall pick in the 1977 NHL Entry Draft by Toronto, scored 282 goals and had 349 assists over 12 seasons with stops in Toronto, Quebec and Hartford.
Anderson replaces Waddell as the bench boss for Atlanta. Waddell had assumed the role of interim coach after he fired Bob Hartley on October 17, 2007.
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