Hartley Hired By Thrashers

Archived from 2002-03 season.

The Atlanta Thrashers hired Hartley as head coach Tuesday, hoping the 2001 Stanley Cup winner can turn around the team with the NHL's worst record.

Hartley was fired less than a month ago by the Colorado Avalanche after a 10-8-9-4 start.

"At certain stages of your life, you need to challenge yourself," Hartley said. "I really think this organization offers me the challenge I need. It was not a matter of choosing the team with the best record. This is the team I wanted to coach."

The Thrashers fired Curt Fraser on Dec. 26, and general manager Don Waddell took over on an interim basis. Atlanta went 4-5-1 under Waddell, including a 7-4 victory Monday over Philadelphia.

The Thrashers are last in the Southeast Division at 12-25-2-4.

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