DETROIT -- Brad Park was fired Tuesday as coach and director of player personnel of the Detroit Red Wings, the team that finished the season with the NHL's worst record.
'We were like oil and water, which don't mix,' said Red Wings general manager Jim Devellano. 'We weren't on the same wave length on the way a hockey club should be run.
'I feel it's important to have full involvement with a coach, and I didn't have that with Brad. The search for a new man will begind although I don't anticipate when we'll name a coach.'
Park, 37, was named to his first head coaching position last Dec. 29 after the Red Wings fired Harry Neale. Park had signed a 2 -year contract that ran through the 1987-88 season. Under Park Detroit was 8-29-2.
Published reports have said Detroit had approached candidates during the season about coaching the Red Wings next year. Foremost of those mentioned is former Philadelphia coach Bob McCammon, who is an assistant with Edmonton.
The abrupt dismissal of Park appears to indicate he lost a power struggle with Devellano, who reportedly gave up some of his authority in the club's makeup when Park was hired.
On Jan. 24, Park was suspended for six games for sending the Red Wing players on the ice and sparking a bench-clearing brawl Jan. 13 at Toronto. During that period, the team was guided by assistant coach Dan Belisle, who posted a 1-5 record.
The Red Wings -- 9-34-2 under Neale -- finished the season at 17-57-6. It was the highest number of losses in club history, and the team's 40 points were a low mark for the franchise in a season with 50 or more games.
Park played the final two seasons of his 17-year NHL career with the Red Wings, arriving as a free agent Aug. 9, 1983, and retiring after the 1984-85 season. He had been working as a color commentator with the Candian CTV network before taking the job with the Red Wings.
Park was the 19th coach in the Red Wings' history. In addition to coaching, Park was involved in all player personnel matters, ng luding trades and contract negotiations.
After making the playoffs in successive seasons for the first time in 20 years and finishing third in the Norris Division the previous two seasons, the Red Wings entered the 1985-86 campaign with high hopes, based on a solid nucleus and several well-paid newcomers.
One of those newcomers was Petr Klima, a 1983 draft pick, who defected from his native Czechoslovakia last August and came to the team's training camp at Port Huron in mid-September.
As a player, Park set an NHL record by making playoff appearances in 17 consecutive seasons.
Park was the 19th coach in the Red Wings' history. In addition to coaching, Park was involved in all player personnel matters, ng luding trades and contract negotiations.
After making the playoffs in successive seasons for the first time in 20 years and finishing third in the Norris Division the previous two seasons, the Red Wings entered the 1985-86 campaign with high hopes, based on a solid nucleus and several well-paid newcomers.
One of those newcomers was Petr Klima, a 1983 draft pick, who defected from his native Czechoslovakia last August and came to the team's training camp at Port Huron in mid-September.
As a player, Park set an NHL record by making playoff appearances in 17 consecutive seasons.
