CALGARY, Alberta -- Coach Terry Crisp, who guided the Calgary Flames to the 1989 Stanley Cup, was fired Monday for failing to take his team past the first round of this season's playoffs.
'I am not trying to hang Terry Crisp for our loss to Los Angeles in six games, but that must be shared by everyone in our organization,' said Cliff Fletcher, the team's president and general manager.
Crisp coached the Flames for three years and compiled a record of 144-63-30. The Flames were twice regular-season champions and finished second this past year. But Crisp's downfall was his playoff coaching record -- 15 wins in 37 games.
'In order to maximize the potential of our hockey club we needed to change the coach,' Fletcher said.
Fletcher said he has no timetable in naming a successor. Possible candidates include Assistant General Manager Doug Risebrough, who was an assistant coach for the Flames for two years.
'My position is one of assistant general manager and I'll look at the type of coach we will need in the organization,' Risebrough said.
Another possibility is Dave King, the coach of Canada's national team. He has turned down several offers from NHL clubs to remain with the national program.
However, with Calgary, King would merely have to change offices in the Saddledome and not uproot his family.
He has an excellent relationship with the Calgary owners and is respected by the Flames as a coach. He is also highly regarded in the community.
King rose to prominence in 1982, coaching Canada to the gold medal at the World Junior Championships. He coached Canada to the silver medal at the 1989 World Hockey Championships at Sweden.
