Another member of the Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks organization is headed to the Thrashers as Atlanta has hired John Torchetti as associate coach.
The move had been rumored in the weeks following the Hawks' NHL title, but became official Thursday. Torchetti had been a Hawks' assistant coach since May 15, 2007 and assisted both Denis Savard and current head coach Joel Quenneville.
"The entire organization would like to wish John well with the Thrashers and all of his future endeavors," Hawks general manager Stan Bowman said in a statement. "We appreciate all of his work during his three years on staff, including being a part of our Stanley Cup Championship team."
Torchetti will serve as associate coach alongside head coach Craig Ramsay, who was hired June 24 to replace the fired John Anderson.
"John is a dedicated individual who will be an invaluable resource to me and a significant asset for our players," Ramsay told atlantathrashers.com. "His strengths complement mine and match up well with what we will be striving to accomplish."
Torchetti was hired by general manager Rick Dudley, former assistant GM for the Hawks. He will join players Dustin Byfuglien, Andrew Ladd, Ben Eager and Brent Sopel, all of whom were traded from the Hawks to the Thrashers this offseason.
Torchetti's departure leaves an opening on Quenneville's staff and former Panthers assistant coach Mike Kitchen could be the leading candidate to join the Hawks' staff.
Hey Torchie, the best of luck to you!! You did a great job for the Blackhawks helping them bring the Stanley Cup back to one of the Original Six teams!! Just think, you will have more than one familiar face over there in Atlanta this coming hockey season. Thanks for your service and best wishes for the future, as long as the Blackhawks finish better than Atlants, ha ha ha!
Atlanta is becoming Chicago Blackhawks south.
Good to hear he's gone...npthin like trimming the fat !! Bet ya he's head coach in Atlanta within the year...Dudley's boy!! I wonder if they both use the same hair Dye!
Oops, you're right. Torchetti still wants to be head coach and what better way than to follow Blackhawks South.
George - Tallon is not with the Thrashers. He's in Florida.
No. Nothing fishy. Torchetti probably saw the Thrashers with Dale Tallon as a quicker way to be a head coach. Blackhawks coach Q. looks like he has solidified the head coaching job for the Blackhawks for the next few years.
Something smells fishy. Why would Blackhawks allow him to leave for the same position in Atlanta? Maybe the Bowmans are taking all of the credit for Lord Stanley.