The Ottawa Senators made the right move when the team announced on Sunday they hired Guy Boucher as head coach. Now, they’ve solidified their coaching group further, announcing on Monday that Marc Crawford has joined the team as an associate coach.
"We've come to terms with him and I'm very happy." – Guy Boucher on the addition of Marc Crawford as an associate coach with the #Sens
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) May 9, 2016
Crawford has tons of experience coaching at the pro level. The 55-year-old has coached in Quebec, Colorado, Vancouver and most recently in Dallas in 2010-11. He won the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche back in 1995-96. Crawford’s coached 1151 career NHL games and has posted a 549-421-100-77 record. He coached Auston Matthews last season with the ZCS Lions, where he’d been coaching since 2012. He’s a great add to Boucher’s staff.
According to the GM Pierre Dorion, Crawford will handle coaching duties and will ‘serve as a liaison’ between the Senators and their AHL affiliate.
Crawford was rumored to be a candidate for the position before the Senators hired Boucher. Signing him allows Ottawa to have the best of both worlds – Boucher’s creative mind and Crawford’s experience. While you might think Boucher would feel alienated with Crawford on the bench beside him, it appears to be quite the opposite.
“I’m extremely excited to be surrounded by people here who are committed to winning,” Boucher said about the hiring. “I wanted someone who can handle and excel under pressure and Marc fits that bill.”
The Senators appeared to be screwed after missing out on Bruce Boudreau, but by landing Boucher and now Crawford, they’ve done a solid job at assembling an impressive staff for next season.
