NHL notebook: Rangers hire BU's David Quinn as head coach
New bench boss replaces Alain Vigneault, who was fired after team missed playoffs
The New York Rangers hired Boston University's David Quinn as their new head coach Wednesday, the second college coach hired by an NHL team this month and third in the past four years.
Quinn replaces Alain Vigneault, who was fired hours after the Rangers missed the playoffs for the first time since 2010. An introductory news conference was scheduled for Thursday.
"In a coaching career that has spanned over two decades at the collegiate, pro, and international level, David has helped his teams achieve success while simultaneously teaching the game and helping his players develop on and off the ice," general manager Jeff Gorton said. "He is the ideal choice to bring our loyal and passionate fans the winning hockey they deserve."
The 51-year-old Quinn coached Boston University to four NCAA Tournament appearances in five seasons, including a trip to the national title game in 2015. He spent the lockout-shortened 2013 NHL season as an assistant on Joe Sacco's staff with the Colorado Avalanche.
The Rangers made the playoffs in four of Vigneault's five seasons as coach, including a 2014 trip to the Stanley Cup Final. They went 226-147-37 in the regular season under Vigneault, who is third in regular-season and playoff wins in franchise history.
Leafs promote Pridham to AGM
Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas has taken the first steps toward building his front office team.
The team announced Wednesday that Brandon Pridham has been promoted to assistant general manager. The announcement comes a day after the team parted ways with assistant GM Mark Hunter and former Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello left his senior adviser position with the club for a front office job with the New York Islanders.
Pridham first joined the Leafs as assistant to the general manager in August 2014. The team said he will continue in his role to assist with salary cap analysis, contract negotiations and collective bargaining agreement interpretation for the team.
Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan promoted the 32-year-old Dubas from assistant GM to general manager on May 11.