COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Ken Hitchcock Wednesday was hired as the new coach of the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets.
He fills the spot created Nov. 13 when Gerard Gallant was fired.
Assistant coach Gary Agnew has been serving in an interim capacity since Gallant was canned.
"Any discussion of the top coaches in the National Hockey League over the past 10 years has included the name Ken Hitchcock," said Blue Jackets President and General Manager Doug MacLean. "He is a proven winner, a Stanley Cup champion, and the ideal coach to help take out franchise to the next level."
In parts of 10 seasons, Hitchcock has a 408-227-122 record in 757 games with Dallas and Philadelphia. He coached the Stars to a Stanley Cup title in 1999.
Hitchcock had a 131-73-50 record with the Flyers from 2002-2006, including a 19-18 record in the post-season.
He will make his debut at Philadelphia on Friday.
