Phoenix Coyotes general manager Don Maloney announced today the Coyotes have signed Jim Playfair to a multi-year contract to serve as the team’s associate coach.
As per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“We are very pleased to welcome Jim to the Coyotes organization,” said Maloney. “Jim is a tremendous coach with a wealth of experience and I am confident that he will be a great addition to our coaching staff.”
Prior to joining the Coyotes, Playfair spent the last 11 seasons in the Calgary Flames organization as a coach. From 2009-11, he served as head coach of the AHL’s Abbotsford Heat, leading the team to the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs in their first season.
Playfair was also head coach of Calgary’s AHL affiliate in Saint John from 2000-03, winning the Calder Cup championship in 2001.
“Jim is an excellent coach and we are thrilled to have him join our staff,” said Coyotes head coach Dave Tippett. “He has great communication skills and we are confident that he will be able to contribute in many areas.”
Playfair was an assistant coach for Calgary from 2003-06 before serving as head coach in 2006-07. A native of Fort St. James, B.C., Playfair played nine seasons of professional hockey including 21 games in the NHL with Edmonton and Chicago after being drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the first round (20th overall) of the 1982 NHL Entry Draft. He captained the Indianapolis Ice (IHL) to the 1990 Turner Cup championship but was forced to retire from playing due to an eye injury suffered during the 1991-92 campaign.
