• 06/20/08 Press Release- Anderson Hired As Thrashers Head Coach

Thrashers Head Coach John Anderson and Executive Vice President and General Manager Don Waddell were available to the media at a press conference on Tuesday, June 24.
 
Anderson was named the team’s fourth head coach on Friday, June 20. He most recently led the Chicago Wolves to the American Hockey League’s 2008 Calder Cup, his fifth championship in 13 years as a head coach. Anderson led the Wolves, the Thrashers primary minor-league affiliate since 2001, for 11 seasons and guided them to four championships.
 
Waddell was also be available to discuss the seven players selected in last weekend’s NHL Entry Draft in Ottawa, including third overall choice defenseman Zach Bogosian. The team used their additional first-round pick, 29th overall, on center Daulton Leveille and made Vinny Saponari the first Georgia born and trained player to be selected in the NHL Entry Draft when they chose him in the fourth round.

Garnet Exelby, who won a Calder Cup in with the Chicago Wolves under John Anderson in 2002, was also on hand to welcome the new coach on behalf of his team.

"He's a demanding coach who expects you to play with the same passion that he brings as a coach," said Exelby. "But at the same time he's a great guy to play for and winning follows him around. He always has the right things to say to get through to players- he has a knack for it."

06/20/08 Press Release- Anderson Hired As Thrashers Head Coach