WINNIPEG, Manitoba, June 20 -- Terry Simpson had the interim removed from his title Tuesday and will coach the Winnipeg Jets next season. Simpson guided the Jets for the final 15 games of the 1995 season after John Paddock gave up coaching to concentrate on his general manager duties in April.
Under Simpson, Winnipeg went 7-7-1 after struggling to a 9-18-6 mark under Paddock. 'I feel that Terry is the right person to lead this hockey team to success,' Paddock said. 'He's proven himself to me, this organization, and his peers around the NHL, and his knowledge of the game and his leadership qualities will be a definite asset to this club. With Terry behind the bench, I can concentrate more fully on the general manager's responsibilities.' Simpson has a career record of 123-128-35 in 286 games with the New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers and Jets. With the Islanders in 1987-88, Simpson led his team to a Patrick Division championship. 'I'm very excited to have the opportunity to pick up where I left off at the end of last season,' Simpson said. 'I realize that we missed the playoffs, but there were some real changes taking place at the end of the season and I believe that this group can be a contender over an 84-game schedule.'
