Hartsburg steps down as coach of Everett Silvertips to 'pursue NHL opportunity'
EVERETT, Wash. - It looks like Craig Hartsburg is set to make a return to the NHL.
The Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League announced Sunday that Hartsburg was stepping down as the team's head coach "to pursue an opportunity in the National Hockey League."
In two seasons with Everett, Hartsburg compiled a 74-54-16 record and was nominated for the WHL's coach of the year award in 2009-10.
"We are very appreciative of Craig's professionalism and his guidance of our hockey players over the last two years," Silvertips vice-president and general manager Doug Soetaert said in a release.
It has been reported that Hartsburg is in line to join Brent Sutter's coaching staff with the Calgary Flames.
The 51-year-old was fired by the Ottawa Senators midway through the 2008-09 season after compiling a record of 17-24-7.
In 491 career games with Chicago, Anaheim and Ottawa, Hartsburg had a record of 201-208-69-13.
