Playfair named Abbotsford Heat coach; Marlies coach not renewed

Here's the goods from theAHL.com on the assignment of Flames associate coach Jim Playfair as the head coach of the Abbotsford Heat.

The quote that amused me was:

“I am looking forward to stepping back behind the bench as the head coach,” noted Playfair. “My goal is to create an identity both on and off of the ice for our players, the fans and for the City of Abbotsford. Abbotsford will be a difficult place for our opponents to play.”

Uh, yeah because it's two time zones away and way out in BFE.

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In related-but-opposite news, Toronto Maple Leafs Overlord Brian Burke announced that he's not renewing the contract of Marlies head coach Greg Gilbert.