MacTavish leaves Wolves for role with Edmonton

A year after hiring a coach to take them deeper into the AHL playoffs, the Chicago Wolves must start that process all over again.

Head coach Craig MacTavish, who guided the Wolves to a 42-27-4-3 record last season, has resigned after one season and taken a job with the Edmonton Oilers, the NFL club he directed for eight seasons.

According to a report by the Vancouver Sun, MacTavish rejoined the Oilers as the team’s senior vice president of operations. That report in the Sun also suggested that Scott Arniel, who was fired by the Columbus Blue Jackets last season, could be a possible replacement. Arniel coached the Canucks’ farm team when it was located in Winnipeg.

“The Chicago Wolves would like to thank Craig for all his contributions to the Wolves organization this past year,” said Wolves general manager Wendell Young.

The Wolves, the AHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks, also said a search for a new head coach is under way, but no timetable has been set.

MacTavish was named the eighth coach in Wolves history on Aug. 1, 2011, and led the team to a Midwest Division title. The club was 2-3 in the playoffs, losing to the San Antonio Rampage in the 2012 Western Conference quarterfinals.