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Marc Crawford Resigns As Avalanche Coach

Calling it "the hardest decision of my life," Marc Crawford spurned a contract extension and resigned as coach of the Colorado Avalanche, whom he led to the Stanley Cup title two years ago.

The resignation comes less than a month after the Avalanche's surprising first-round playoff loss to the Edmonton Oilers in which they squandered a three games to one lead.

"This is by far the most difficult decision I had to make," said Crawford at a news conference this afternoon in Denver. "I've had a time of reflection and believe it is the right thing to do. My gut instinct is the time is right for a change in this organization."

Avalanche president and general manager Pierre Lacroix admitted that he was "shocked" that Crawford resigned with a year left on his contract after the team offered an extension.

"He was convinced that his time had passed here and he was looking for a new challenge," Lacroix said in a separate news conference. "He told me the four years were great, but he felt he had to move on."

Hartley replaces Crawford behind Avs bench

The Colorado Avalanche, stunned by Marc Crawford's resignation last week, hired Bob Hartley as their new coach.

Hartley, a veteran of minor league coaching, spent the last two years as head coach of the Hershey (Pa.) Bears, Colorado's top farm club in the American Hockey League. He is a longtime friend of Avalanche general manager Pierre Lacroix.

"I am thrilled and excited, yes, but also confident and convinced that I will be able to fulfill my duties very well," Hartley said.

The Avs began looking for a coach last Wednesday after Crawford rejected a contract extension that would have kept him in Colorado through the 2000-2001 season.

Hartley immediately was dubbed the front-runner to succeed Crawford. He led Hershey to the AHL title in 1997.

Before taking over in Hershey, Hartley coached Colorado's former AHL affiliate in Cornwall for three seasons. He also has coached in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Crawford, meanwhile, has yet to land another job, but he isn't expected to be out of work long. His name has already been linked with Toronto, though Mike Murphy remains the Maple Leafs' coach, and Chicago is looking for a coach.

Lemieux Won't Return

Mario Lemieux, who is threatening to sue Pittsburgh Penguins co-owner Roger Marino for deferred salary still owed him, says he has no hard feelings and won't play for any other team.

Lemieux laughed off published reports in Canada that he might end his one-year retirement.

"Nope, no chance," Lemieux said while attending the Pittsburgh Senior Classic. "I played for one team my entire career. That's what I wanted.

Panthers Sign Ohl Star Defenseman Chris Allen

Defenseman Chris Allen, who scored 38 goals for Kingston of the Ontario Hockey League in 1997-98, signed a three-year contract with the Florida Panthers.

The 20-year-old Allen was named the OHL Defenseman of the Year after ranking eighth overall in scoring with 94 points in 66 games. NHL star defensemen Bobby Orr and Al MacInnis also scored 38 goals in the OHL.

Allen, the Panthers' third-round pick in the 1996 draft, finished his OHL career with 76 goals and 108 assists in 225 games.

"Chris had great success in junior hockey because of his offensive ability," said Panthers vice president and general manager Bryan Murray. "We expect him to compete for a roster spot in the next one to two seasons. He is a highly regarded offensive defenseman."

Allen played in the Panthers' regular season finale at Tampa Bay on April 18th and was scoreless in his NHL debut.

Kings Re-Sign Veteran Rw Russ Courtnall

The Los Angeles Kings re-signed unrestricted free agent right wing Russ Courtnall to a one-year contract. Financial terms were not announced.

Courtnall, who recently turned 33, had 18 points and 27 penalty minutes in 58 games for the Kings this past season after signing a one-year contract on November 7th, 1997.

Ducks Reassign Assistant Coaches Kyle, Hay

The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, who followed up their first-ever playoff berth by finishing next-to-last in the Pacific Division, today reassigned assistant coaches Walt Kyle and Don Hay.

Both were offered other positions within the organization, said general manager Jack Ferreira.

"This is a decision based solely on discussions between (head coach) Pierre Page and myself," Ferreira explained. "We felt that change was needed and we feel that this change will help everyone involved. Restructuring the coaching staff will help Walt, Don and the club continue to grow more rapidly."

Hurricanes Sign Rw Robert Kron To Four-Year Extension

The Carolina Hurricanes continued their signing frenzy today by inking right wing Robert Kron to a four-year contract extension through the 2002-03 campaign.

Kron collected 16 goals and 20 assists in a career-high 81 games this year, his fifth full season with the franchise. He ranked sixth on the team in goals and assists and finished with the third-highest point total of his eight-year career.

"This signing is special to our organization because it has been completed a year prior to the end of Robert's contract," said team president and general manager Jim Rutherford. "It shows that Robert is committed to our franchise and the state of North Carolina for the long term."

Senators Lw Hossa To Miss Six Months With Knee Injury

The Ottawa Senators, who enjoyed the most successful season in their six-year history, have lost 1997 first-round pick Marian Hossa for four to six months after he suffered two torn ligaments in his left knee during a tournament 10 days ago.

The 19-year old native of the Czech Republic tore the MCL in his left knee while playing for the Portland Winter Hawks of the Western Hockey League against the Guelph Storm in the Memorial Cup final on May 17th. Further tests revealed Hossa also tore the ACL and he will undergo surgery within two weeks, followed by extensive rehabilitation.

Portland defeated Guelph, 4-3, to win the Canadian Hockey League title and Hossa was named a First Team All-Star.

"We are very optimistic that Marian will come back from this experience as strong as he was before the injury," Senators general manager Pierre Gauthier said. "We know Marian is a very committed athelete and that he will do everything in his power to come back as soon as possible."

Sharks Give Head Coach Darryl Sutter New Contract

After leading the San Jose Sharks to their first playoff appearance in three years and establishing several team records in his first season with the club, head coach Darryl Sutter received a new contract. Terms were not disclosed.

Sutter, who joined the Sharks on June 9th, took over a team that finished with the worst record in the Western Conference in 1996-97 and guided them to a 34-38-10 mark. San Jose closed the season with a 7-2-3 record to reach the playoffs for the first time since 1994-95, before bowing out in six games to top seed Dallas in the conference quarterfinals.

Sabres Lw Satan Fined $1,000 For Hit On Caps Simon

Buffalo Sabres left wing Miroslav Satan was fined $1,000 by the National Hockey League for a stick-related incident in Game Two of the Eastern Conference finals against the Washington Capitals.

Satan delivered what league officials described as a "glancing blow" with the top end of his stick to Capitals left wing Chris Simon. No penalty was called, but NHL senior vice president and director of hockey operations Brian Burke reviewed the incident and imposed the fine.

1998 NHL Calendar

June 23     -- Last possible date for completion of Stanley Cup
 
June 25     -- NHL Awards Television Special, Toronto
 
June 26     -- Expansion Draft, Buffalo
 
            -- Top Prospect Preview, Buffalo
 
June 27     -- NHL Entry Draft, Buffalo
 
July 1      -- Eligible players transferred to free agent list

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