Turbulence
04-27-2003, 08:46 AM
Canes assistant calls on Pens
With team's blessing, McCarthy seeks first NHL top job
By LUKE DECOCK, Staff Writer
After four years as an assistant coach with the Carolina Hurricanes and five as a head coach in the minors, Kevin McCarthy is looking to move up.
With the Canes' blessing, McCarthy has applied for the Pittsburgh Penguins' head coaching vacancy.
The Penguins fired Rick Kehoe after they finished 29th in the NHL, ahead of only the Canes.
Instead of searching for a new coach, the Penguins have asked prospective coaches to contact them. Penguins general manager Craig Patrick has said he is looking in particular for someone who can work with the Penguins' exceedingly young roster.
That's something that appeals to McCarthy, who is 45.
"They want somebody to come in and be a good teacher, to implement a strong system and develop the kids," McCarthy said. "After five years as a head coach in the minors, I've done a lot of teaching and communication. I thought what they're looking for fits my strengths as a coach."
McCarthy played parts of two of his 10 NHL seasons in Pittsburgh, in 1983-84 and 1984-85.
He has spent the past four seasons with the Canes. Before that, he spent four seasons as coach of the Canes' American Hockey League affiliate -- 1995-97 in Springfield, Mass., and 1997-99 in New Haven, Conn.
He also was an AHL head coach in Hershey, Pa., for the 1989-90 season before becoming a Hartford Whalers assistant coach in 1992. He has been with the organization ever since.
McCarthy's minor-league teams had a combined record of 186-153-47-12.
McCarthy isn't the only person to express an interest in the job.
One is perennial candidate Ted Nolan, out of work since he was fired by the Sabres in 1997. Nashville assistant Brent Peterson, who was a finalist for the Penguins job in 1997, is another.
Kevin Constantine, whom the Penguins chose over Peterson in 1997, is also a possibility.
The Penguins have a number of pressing issues to deal with this offseason, from Mario Lemieux's potential retirement to their battle for a new arena. Finding a new coach is not among their top priorities right now.
But Carolina general manager Jim Rutherford said he asked Patrick to put McCarthy on his list.
McCarthy signed a four-year contract last June, but Rutherford said the Canes wouldn't stop him from leaving for Pittsburgh.
"If he were able to get that job, we'd definitely allow him to leave," Rutherford said.
McCarthy, who has spent the past 11 seasons with the Carolina organization, said this is the first time he has applied for a head coaching opening at the NHL level.
"I just thought, why not put my name in there and see what happens," McCarthy said.
Just putting his name in the hat doesn't mean he's gone, I guess...
With team's blessing, McCarthy seeks first NHL top job
By LUKE DECOCK, Staff Writer
After four years as an assistant coach with the Carolina Hurricanes and five as a head coach in the minors, Kevin McCarthy is looking to move up.
With the Canes' blessing, McCarthy has applied for the Pittsburgh Penguins' head coaching vacancy.
The Penguins fired Rick Kehoe after they finished 29th in the NHL, ahead of only the Canes.
Instead of searching for a new coach, the Penguins have asked prospective coaches to contact them. Penguins general manager Craig Patrick has said he is looking in particular for someone who can work with the Penguins' exceedingly young roster.
That's something that appeals to McCarthy, who is 45.
"They want somebody to come in and be a good teacher, to implement a strong system and develop the kids," McCarthy said. "After five years as a head coach in the minors, I've done a lot of teaching and communication. I thought what they're looking for fits my strengths as a coach."
McCarthy played parts of two of his 10 NHL seasons in Pittsburgh, in 1983-84 and 1984-85.
He has spent the past four seasons with the Canes. Before that, he spent four seasons as coach of the Canes' American Hockey League affiliate -- 1995-97 in Springfield, Mass., and 1997-99 in New Haven, Conn.
He also was an AHL head coach in Hershey, Pa., for the 1989-90 season before becoming a Hartford Whalers assistant coach in 1992. He has been with the organization ever since.
McCarthy's minor-league teams had a combined record of 186-153-47-12.
McCarthy isn't the only person to express an interest in the job.
One is perennial candidate Ted Nolan, out of work since he was fired by the Sabres in 1997. Nashville assistant Brent Peterson, who was a finalist for the Penguins job in 1997, is another.
Kevin Constantine, whom the Penguins chose over Peterson in 1997, is also a possibility.
The Penguins have a number of pressing issues to deal with this offseason, from Mario Lemieux's potential retirement to their battle for a new arena. Finding a new coach is not among their top priorities right now.
But Carolina general manager Jim Rutherford said he asked Patrick to put McCarthy on his list.
McCarthy signed a four-year contract last June, but Rutherford said the Canes wouldn't stop him from leaving for Pittsburgh.
"If he were able to get that job, we'd definitely allow him to leave," Rutherford said.
McCarthy, who has spent the past 11 seasons with the Carolina organization, said this is the first time he has applied for a head coaching opening at the NHL level.
"I just thought, why not put my name in there and see what happens," McCarthy said.
Just putting his name in the hat doesn't mean he's gone, I guess...