12-26-2002, 06:00 PM
Fraser fired as Thrashers coach
By GUY CURTRIGHT
Atlanta Journal-Constitution Staff Writer
Curt Fraser, the only coach the Atlanta Thrashers have ever had
in their three-plus seasons, was fired today, with general manager Don Waddell taking over the team on an interim basis.
Waddell will coach the Thrashers when they play at Carolina on Friday. His only previous experience behind the bench was in the minors a decade ago.
The Thrashers (8-20-1-4) have the worst record in the NHL this season after winning just 56 games in their first three seasons.
Fraser's coaching record was 64-173-31-15. He was hired by the Thrashers after a sucessful coaching career in the IHL at Milwaukee and Orlando.
The Thrashers expect to have a full-time replacement for Fraser by next week.
Leading candidates include Darryl Sutter and Bob Hartley, who were recently fired by San Jose and Colorado, respectively.
Other candidates are Terry Murray, Larry Robinson and John Paddock. The Thrashers want to hire a coach with NHL experience.
Fraser was a player in the NHL, but had no coaching experience outside of the minors.
Expansion coaches are hired to be fired and Fraser often said, "You don't get into this business for job security."
He originally signed a three-year deal, then received a one-year extension. This was his last season under contract.
Fraser, 44, was almost fired when the Thrashers started 0-8-1-1. But the team was 6-6-0-0 in Novermber and the signing of free agent goalie Byron Dafoe gave hope for a turnaround.
But the team is 2-6-0-3 in December, with two costly losses clinching Fraser's fate. Twice the Thrashers blew late two-goal leads and lost in overtime, first at Washington on Dec. 6 and then against Carolina at home last Friday.
"When you have a two-goal lead, you better find a way to finish and win that game," Fraser said. "We weren't able to do it."
Fraser's last game was Monday, when the Thrashers lost 5-1 at Toronto after scoring the first goal.
Afterward, Fraser said he took "full responsibility" for the team's struggles. "I believe our team is better," he said.
By GUY CURTRIGHT
Atlanta Journal-Constitution Staff Writer
Curt Fraser, the only coach the Atlanta Thrashers have ever had
in their three-plus seasons, was fired today, with general manager Don Waddell taking over the team on an interim basis.
Waddell will coach the Thrashers when they play at Carolina on Friday. His only previous experience behind the bench was in the minors a decade ago.
The Thrashers (8-20-1-4) have the worst record in the NHL this season after winning just 56 games in their first three seasons.
Fraser's coaching record was 64-173-31-15. He was hired by the Thrashers after a sucessful coaching career in the IHL at Milwaukee and Orlando.
The Thrashers expect to have a full-time replacement for Fraser by next week.
Leading candidates include Darryl Sutter and Bob Hartley, who were recently fired by San Jose and Colorado, respectively.
Other candidates are Terry Murray, Larry Robinson and John Paddock. The Thrashers want to hire a coach with NHL experience.
Fraser was a player in the NHL, but had no coaching experience outside of the minors.
Expansion coaches are hired to be fired and Fraser often said, "You don't get into this business for job security."
He originally signed a three-year deal, then received a one-year extension. This was his last season under contract.
Fraser, 44, was almost fired when the Thrashers started 0-8-1-1. But the team was 6-6-0-0 in Novermber and the signing of free agent goalie Byron Dafoe gave hope for a turnaround.
But the team is 2-6-0-3 in December, with two costly losses clinching Fraser's fate. Twice the Thrashers blew late two-goal leads and lost in overtime, first at Washington on Dec. 6 and then against Carolina at home last Friday.
"When you have a two-goal lead, you better find a way to finish and win that game," Fraser said. "We weren't able to do it."
Fraser's last game was Monday, when the Thrashers lost 5-1 at Toronto after scoring the first goal.
Afterward, Fraser said he took "full responsibility" for the team's struggles. "I believe our team is better," he said.