CALGARY, Alberta, Nov. 2 -- The Calgary Flames, with the second worst record in the National Hockey League at 1-8-3, Thursday fired Vice President and General Manager Doug Risebrough. Calgary has been the most disappointing team in the league this season. After opening the season with seven losses and three ties, the Flames finally won their first game, 2-1, at Los Angeles two days ago. But the Flames quickly went back on the losing track, falling at Colorado, 6-1, Wednesday night. Executive vice president Al Coates will assume Risebrough's duties while actively seeking a replacement. Coates joined the organization on June 22. 'This was not a decision made by the current record of the team,' said Coates. 'What we did is take a long hard look at where we're going in the future. The current position is that I will begin to look, with no prescribed timetable for a new general manager for the team.' Calgary suffered from having to play its first seven games on the road since the Saddledome was under repairs. The Flames have also been hurt by the absence of captain Joe Nieuwendyk, who is holding out due to a contract dispute. 'There's not going to be a fire sale here,' said Coates. 'We're not going to be pushed into something. But we're not running from the fact we need a couple of players, especially on the offensive side.' Risebrough, who was in his fifth year as Flames general manager, named Pierre Page as the Flames' new coach in July.
Risebrough has faced intense media criticism since trading All-Star defensemen Al MacInnis and Gary Suter, the nucleus of Calgary's Stanley Cup-winning team in 1989. However, the Flames have failed to win a playoff series since winning the Stanley Cup. Risebrough traded Suter, Ted Drury, and Paul Ranheim to Hartford for Michael Nylander, James Patrick, and Zarley Zalapski in March of 1994 and dealt MacInnis for defenseman Phil Housley and two draft choices last July. Risebrough was appointed general manager and head coach on May 16, 1991. On March 3, 1992 he resigned as coach to concentrate soley on his role as general manager. He was an assistant coach to Terry Crisp in 1989 when the Flames won the Cup. During his tenure as head coach, Risebrough accumulated a record of 46-26-8. The Flames have allowed 46 goals, the third highest total in the league.
