Fri Jun 20 00:16:18 2008

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Report: Thrashers tab Anderson as coach

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Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - The Atlanta Thrashers reportedly selected John Anderson, formerly head coach of their American Hockey League affiliate in Chicago, to be their new head coach on Thursday.

TSN of Canada reported late Thursday night that the Thrashers had settled on Anderson, who just wrapped up his fourth minor-league title as a head coach earlier this month when his Wolves won the 2008 Calder Cup.

The 51-year-old also led the Wolves to the Calder Cup in 2002 and the International Hockey League's Turner Cup in 1998 and 2000.

Anderson, a forward, played 12 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Maple Leafs, Quebec Nordiques, and Hartford Whalers, retiring in 1989. The Toronto native tallied 282 goals and 631 points in 814 career NHL games.

The Thrashers fired Bob Hartley as head coach after the club lost its first six games of this past season, with general manager Don Waddell taking over on an interim basis. Atlanta finished 34-40-8, with 76 points, and missed the playoffs.