Tuesday, July 15, 2003

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and Toronto Roadrunners both filled their head coaching vacancies with familiar names on Tuesday.

Former Montreal Canadiens head coach Michel Therrien has been named the new head coach of the Penguins, while Geoff Ward, who led Hamilton to the Calder Cup 2003 Final, is the first coach in Roadrunners history.

Therrien, 39, returns to the AHL where he coached the Canadiens' affiliates in Fredericton and Quebec from the start of the 1997-98 season until Nov. 20, 2000, when he was promoted to Montreal. Therrien owned a record of 115-122-22 in 259 AHL contests, and led Fredericton to the 1999 Eastern Conference finals and Quebec to a division title in 2000. The Montreal native guided the NHL Canadiens to a record of 77-91-22 before being relieved in January 2003.

"Michel's success as a head coach at all levels and his ability to communicate and work with young people makes him an ideal fit within our organization", said Craig Patrick, general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins. "He has a tremendous record as a head coach in junior hockey, working primarily with young prospects."

Therrien's playing career included a Calder Cup championship with the Sherbrooke Canadiens in 1985.

Ward, 41, took over the Hamilton Bulldogs on Jan. 17, when Claude Julien was promoted to replace Michel Therrien in Montreal. He compiled a record of 16-14-5 in the regular season and guided the Bulldogs to the best overall mark in the AHL and their first division championship.

"Geoff has done a tremendous job for us since joining the organization two-and-a-half seasons ago and he has been a valuable part of the organization during that time," stated Edmonton Oilers assistant general manager Scott Howson. "We feel he is the right person to help our prospects develop and provide the necessary leadership for a winning team in Toronto."

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