Wolves tab MacTavish as new head coach

The Chicago Wolves have announced that former NHL player and coach Craig MacTavish will be taking over as the team's new head coach, making him the eighth head coach in the franchise's history.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome Craig MacTavish to our organization,” said Wolves general manager Wendell Young. “This is an exciting time for the Wolves, between our new affiliation with Vancouver, a new group of players and now a new head coach in Craig MacTavish, and we are very much looking forward to seeing it all come together when the team hits the ice this season.”

The London, Ontario, native brings 11 years of National Hockey League coaching experience to the Wolves, including eight seasons (2000-09) with the Edmonton Oilers highlighted by an appearance in the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals.

He compiled a .537 winning percentage (301-252-47-56 record) as the Oilers head coach, and also spent time as an assistant coach with the Oilers (1999-2000) and the New York Rangers (1997-1999). MacTavish also had a long career as a player, playing mostly with Boston (1979-84) and Edmonton (1985-94). He retired after the 1996-97 season with St. Louis.

After spending the previous two seasons as an NHL broadcast analyst, MacTavish said he was ready to start coaching again.

“I thought it would be a great opportunity,” he said. “I just have a passion to coach. (Coaching) is really my skill set.”

That skill set will be key as he transitions from coaching NHL players to coaching NHL prospects. “You're dealing with much more of an unfinished product. You have a great opportunity to have some real positive influence. ... You really have the opportunity to make a significant impact on a player,” MacTavish said.

The Wolves are coming off a relatively poor season. After finishing sixth in their division, the team failed to make the AHL playoffs for only the third time in franchise history.

If MacTavish's hockey personality rubs off on the Wolves, expect to see a hard-working, physical and fast-paced team.

“I've got lots of ideas on how I want to play the game. ... I like hard-nosed hockey and a real fast tempo of play.”