Flames hire Bill Peters as new head coach

CALGARY, Alberta (AP) - The Calgary Flames have hired Bill Peters as the team's head coach.

The Flames introduced Peters at a news conference on Monday at Scotiabank Saddledome. The 53-year-old from Three Hills, Alberta, resigned as head coach of the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday after four seasons and a year remaining on his contract.

The Flames fired Glen Gulutzan and assistants Dave Cameron and Paul Gerrard last week after missing the playoffs with a 37-35-10 record.

In his NHL head coaching debut, Peters went 137-138-53 with the Hurricanes but wasn't able to get the team into the playoffs.

Carolina was looking for a new general manager as Ron Francis was reassigned within the organization, so Peters' tenure there would have eventually been subject to the new GM's approval.

Peters is Calgary general manager Brad Treliving's second head coaching hire after Gulutzan, and the fourth coach of the Flames in nine years after Gulutzan (2016-17) Bob Hartley (2012-16) and Brent Sutter (2009-12).

"I think it's a very good team and I think it's a team that's set up to win and play the modern game," Peters said.

"What I talk about the modern game, when you watch the playoffs, you need defense up in the rush, you need offense from your defense. We're going to be able to do that with what we have.

"The majority of the core is still in their prime and still has room to grow and a higher ceiling to be reached. There's lots to work with and that's exciting."

Calgary has finished outside the playoffs seven of the past nine years.

Peters was the head coach and Treliving one of the general managers of the Canadian team that won gold at the 2016 men's world hockey championship in Russia.

Treliving had asked the Hurricanes for permission to speak to Peters last week about coming to Calgary. The GM said he didn't talk to any other candidates.

"This is an individual I'm familiar with," Treliving said. "I was focused on Bill. It's based upon seeing and living it live with him over albeit a short period of time.

"He's prepared. I think he's a student of the modern game. I think he's relationship driven with players. He's honest and direct."

Peters is coaching Canada again at the world championship May 4-20 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

After leading the Spokane Chiefs to Western Hockey League and Memorial Cup championships in 2008, Peters spent three seasons coaching the AHL's Rockford IceHogs and then joined the Detroit Red Wings coaching staff.

He was an assistant for Mike Babcock in Detroit for three seasons before heading to Raleigh, N.C.

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