After 13 years, Atlanta grants Anderson's wish
John Anderson realized all the way back in October that his best chance to ever coach in the NHL was the Atlanta Thrashers' job vacancy.
At age of 51 and having accomplished all that is possible at the minor-league level, the longtime Wolves coach understood the gig was also probably the final opportunity at his dream job. He wasn't getting any younger, and he couldn't do anything else to prove himself.
"If not now, I'll never be," said Anderson then. "I'm ready. I'm ready for that job."
On Friday, Anderson finally was granted his wish as Thrashers general manager Don Waddell named him the franchise's newest coach and fourth in team history.
After waiting for so long, Anderson couldn't hold back emotions.
"When Don offered me the job last night it had been such a long time since I was in the National League that I went up to my room and cried," said Anderson, speaking on a conference call from Ottawa, where the Thrashers were preparing for the NHL draft. "I couldn't believe it and I was so excited. My family can't believe it either. They're so excited about going to Atlanta. I can't wait for the future now."
That was a common reaction among others in hockey when they learned Anderson had been hired by Atlanta.
"I was a little bit surprised because he's never been given the chance," said Wolves captain Darren Haydar from his home in Ontario. "That's the only reason I was shocked. I'm excited for him. It's been a long time coming. He's proven every year he's a winning coach and he can get it done. For me, he definitely has what it takes to win at that level.
"Hopefully Atlanta and John would like me with them (next season)."
Anderson just finished helping the Wolves to their fourth league title and second Calder Cup trophy. In 11 seasons, he won 506 regular-season games and collected 105 postseason wins. The Wolves had a winning record in all 11 seasons and reached the playoffs in 10 of them.
Anderson, who played 12 NHL seasons before coaching 13 years in the minors, had been passed over previously for jobs at Anaheim, Toronto and Boston.
"John's done everything we've asked him to do in the American League by not only winning championships but also by helping to develop some of our key young players," Waddell said. "We see that as a big benefit moving forward as he gets a chance to coach some of the players he's had a hand in developing. He's going to get the opportunity to take those players to the next level."
For Anderson, the wait was worth it.
"Sometimes you question yourself," he said. "But I really think things happen for a reason. Being in the minors for 13 years made me a better coach, a stronger person, a better person. I thank my lucky stars for all those years."
Anderson takes over for Waddell, who served as interim coach most of last season as he assessed the franchise's talent. The Thrashers dumped Bob Hartley after losing their first six games and went 34-34-8 the rest of the way to miss the playoff by 18 points.
Wolves assistant coach Todd Nelson is a likely candidate to take over for Anderson.