From The Rink: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
New Blog: World Soccer Digest for Soccer Fans!

Playfair named coach of AHL's Abbotsford Heat

Flames press release from Friday afternoon:

Duane Sutter, Director of Player Personnel for the Calgary Flames and Lane Sweeting, President of Abbotsford Heat Hockey Ltd. announced today that Jim Playfair has been appointed head coach of the Abbotsford Heat, the official American Hockey League affiliate of the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League.

"We consider the retention of Jim Playfair for our team to be a tremendous coup," noted Duane Sutter. "Jim has won at every level and will prove effective in directing both young and veteran players towards winning and honing their skills."

Playfair joined the Calgary Flames coaching staff in January 2003 as an assistant coach - a position he held until being named the Calgary Flames head coach for the 2006-07 season. Since 2007 Playfair has held the position of associate coach with the Flames.

"The opportunity to retain a coach of Jim Playfair’s calibre represents an important first step towards establishing a winning program in Abbotsford," suggested Lane Sweeting. "We are looking forward to working with a head coach who will put his brand on this team and help us win."

This will be Playfair’s second stint as a head coach in the American Hockey League. Playfair was appointed head coach of the Saint John Flames on August 10, 2000 - he spent three seasons in that position. During the 2000-01 season, his first behind the bench in Saint John, Playfair led Saint John to their first American Hockey League Calder Cup championship and was named the Minor League Professional Coach of the year by The Hockey News. Over the course of his tenure in Saint John, Playfair posted a record featuring 83 wins 77 regulation losses, 22 ties and 10 overtime losses.

"I am looking forward to stepping back behind the bench as the head coach, noted Jim Playfair. My goal is to create an identity both on and off of the ice for our players, the fans and for the City of Abbotsford. Abbotsford will be a difficult place for our opponents to play," added Playfair.

Prior to joining the Saint John organization, Playfair was the head coach of the Michigan K-Wings of the International Hockey League. He served as an assistant coach with the K-Wings for three seasons before being named head coach on January 25, 2000. The balance of Playfair’s head coaching experience includes three seasons as bench boss of the Dayton Bombers of the East Coast Hockey League.

The 45-year old native of Fort St. James, British Columbia played nine seasons of professional hockey including 21 games in the National Hockey League with the Edmonton Oilers and the Chicago Blackhawks. Playfair was selected as Edmonton’s first choice, 20th overall, in the 1982 NHL Entry Draft. He captained the Indianapolis Ice (IHL) to the 1990 Turner Cup championship but was forced to retire from playing due to an eye injury suffered during the 1991-92 campaign. As a junior, Playfair played with the Portland Winterhawks for two seasons where he captured a Memorial Cup in 1983.

This item was created by a member of this blog's community and is not necessarily endorsed by From The Rink.

0 recs  |  Comment 5 comments  |  Add comment |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Glad he’s still with the organization, but also glad he’s not in Calgary. The coaching staff as a whole has failed us the past couple years, and Playfair has been a major part of that. Especially since he was the defensive coach. You can’t argue with his record in the AHL though, and I do think he is a great teacher, so Abbotsford will definitely benefit from this.

by Resolute on Jun 7, 2009 6:10 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

i still can’t believe they’re doing the abbotsford thing.

by passive_voice on Jun 8, 2009 3:59 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Why’s that? That’s a good city for a team.

Blogging on hockey at fromtherink.com

by James Mirtle on Jun 8, 2009 6:28 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

With the hottest annual temperature in the country, they don’t deserve a hockey team ;-)

by TD O'Dell on Jun 8, 2009 7:17 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I just noticed they have a guy named Palin on their squad.

If they suck, we know why.

"Hey! Farmboy! Maybe you can't count, but there are four of us and one of you."

"So get some more guys and then it'll be an even fight."

by Afino on Jun 9, 2009 1:41 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs


User Tools

Welcome to James Mirtle's hockey blog

Start posting on From The Rink »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

Small-logo_small
NHLPA votes to establish committees to review constitution and find new executive director
450px-flag_of_saint_vincent_and_the_grenadines
Jhonas Enroth gets first career start in 4-2 loss
Cale_sbnationphoto_small
A Double-Tiered NHL: How (and Why) It Could Work
Small-logo_small
Ian Penny's letter to the NHLPA
Small-logo_small
For those who really, really like SBN Hockey blogs
Nhl-and-food-network_small
What constitutes goaltender interference these days?
Kane88_nhl2010_small
What constitutes a clean hit?
Rugby_small
Some Facts on Arena Readiness and New Markets
Kane88_nhl2010_small
Donald Fehr to become the leader of the NHLPA?
Armchair_red_3_small
30 Dirty Players in 30 Days.

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Blog extras

"Mirtle's performance during this year's Trade Deadline became its own tribe in Brazil."



(c) 2008 James Mirtle. This blog is a personal project and not affiliated with The Globe and Mail.


Blogger-in-chief

Small-logo_small James Mirtle

Moderator(s)

Calvin_small PPP

643c0d9c_small saskhab