New Minnesota Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher has wasted no time putting his stamp on the team by hiring Todd Richards as the Wild's new head coach.
The team has called a 1pm et press conference for Tuesday to announce their new bench boss.
Richards has a history with Fletcher who hired him to coach the Pittsburgh Penguins' AHL affiliate Scranton-Wilkes/Barre in 2006. The 43-year old Richards spent last season as an assistant for the San Jose Sharks under Todd McLellan.
Sources have also told TSN that Wild assistant general manager Tom Lynn has been let go.
A former defenceman, Richards was drafted in the 2nd round, 33rd overall, by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1985 NHL Entry draft. He made his NHL debut with the Hartford Whalers in 1990. His NHL career consisted of eight regular season games, posting four assists. He also appeared in 11 playoff games with three assists.
Following his playing career, Richards served as an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL, capturing two West Division titles and reaching the Calder Cup Finals twice, winning the AHL title in 2004.
