Another Friend of Burkes on Board

It might not exactly be making headline news in Toronto, but the Maple Leafs made a significant signing on Monday when they inked Al Coates as their new player personnel director.

During his tenure in hockey, which has spanned for more then 30 years, Coates has added two Stanley Cups on his resume with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007 and way back in 1989 with the Calgary Flames. With the hiring of Coates, the rumors are once again being heard that Ducks general manager Brian Burke who has one year left on his contract will be coming to Toronto next season. A few days before Coates was hired, the Leafs hired former San Jose Sharks bench boss Ron Wilson to coach the Leafs. Wilson happens to be good friends with Burke and they also roomed and played hockey together at Providence College. 

Coates began his NHL management career way back in 1971 with the Detroit Red Wings. Prior to the 1979-80 campaign, a young Cliff Fletcher encouraged Coates into joining the Calgary Flames front office staff in what was the inaugural season for the Flames in Calgary. For Coates, the Flames turned out to be a perfect fit, as he spent the next 20 years with the organization working various positions including director of hockey administration and assistant to the GM before getting promoted to the executive vice-president, general manger and alternative governor from 1995-2000.  “We look forward to Al becoming a valuable part of the Maple Leafs management team,” interim GM Cliff Fletcher said. Fletcher, who is the same person Coates worked with and won a Stanley Cup with in Calgary, talked about the long time experience of Coates as being a valuable asset. “He brings a wealth of managerial and scouting expertise to our hockey club, which will be important as we look to strengthen the organizations depth in the coming seasons.”

After Calgary, Coates who is an Ontario boy has also had a stint with the New York Rangers where from 200-03 he was in charge of the operations of the New York Rangers American Hockey League affiliate in Hartford.

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