Six games into season, Wolves release head coach

After missing the playoffs for just the second time in franchise history last season and then stumbling out of the gate to a 1-5 start this year, Wolves general manager Wendell Young decided enough was enough and fired head coach Don Granato and assistant coach Jason Christie.

"I'd like to thank Don and Jason for their time with the team," said Young, who along with director of hockey operations Gene Ubriaco will run the team until a new coach is hired. "I know they put their heart and soul into this team, but after missing the playoffs last season and starting 1-5, we can't wait any longer."

The Wolves posted a 39-42-3-2 record in 86 games with Granato and Christie, who joined the team prior to the start of the 2008-09 campaign.

Granato replaced longtime coach John Anderson, who set the bar extremely high, winning five championship in 13 seasons as a minor-league coach, including four with the Wolves. His final championship in Chicago came in 2007-08.

But since Anderson's departure to the NHL's Atlanta Thrashers, the Wolves haven't been able to regain their winning ways.

"The team wasn't moving in the right direction quickly enough," Young said.

The Wolves tried to rectify the situation this season by bringing back high-octane forward Jason Krog, the AHL's leading scorer in 2007-08. The team captain was the first player in AHL history to capture both regular season and postseason MVP honors for the 2007-08 Caler Cup champions.

More recently, the Wolves signed veteran goalie Manny Legace and may soon be signing a deal with veteran defenseman Chris Chelios as well.

No timetable has been set for a new coach to be named.

The Wolves, who will play two home games on Friday and Saturday at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, trail West Division leader San Antonio by 11 points and sit in seventh place overall.