Thrashers fire Anderson, coaching staff; Waddell promoted to president

The Atlanta Thrashers have terminated the coaching contract of John Anderson and his assistants Randy Cunneyworth, Todd Nelson and Steve Weeks, a statement from the Thrashers this morning said. General Manager Don Waddell has been promoted to President and Rick Dudley has been promoted to the position of General Manager, the statement says.

"My role within the company has evolved and grown the last few years," Waddell said in the statement, "The owners and I agree that it's the appropriate time to have Rick assume all hockey-related responsibilities while I shift my primary focus to the business side of the Thrashers."

Dudley joined the Thrashers in June 2009 after five years with the Chicago Blackhawks in the capacity of Assistant General Manager.

Anderson, the former Head Coach of the Chicago Wolves, leaves Atlanta with a record of 70-75-19 over two seasons. Anderson coached the Chicago Wolves to four league championships, twice in the International Hockey League and twice in the American Hockey League. Anderson also coached the Quad City Mallards to a Colonial Cup championship in the Colonial Hockey League. Anderson posted a regular season record of 51-20-0-3 (70.9 percent) in the Colonial League, 200-98-0-30 (70.12 percent) in the IHL, 306-185-24-45 (60.80 percent) in the AHL and 40-75-0-19 (48.48 percent) in the NHL. Anderson has played in 37 NHL playoff games, notably with the Toronto Maple Leaves and the Hartford Whalers.

Cunneyworth was the former Head Coach of the Rochester Americans. In the period 2000 - 2008 he compiled a record of 258-214-39-40 (53.13 percent) in the regular season. Cunneyworth played for the Stanley Cup three times on the Buffalo Sabres.

Nelson was the former Head Coach of the Muskegon Fury of the United Hockey League from 2003 - 2006 when he was hired by the Chicago Wolves as assistant coach. At the UHL he won two Colonial Cup championships and compiled a regular season record of 149-58-0-25 (69.61 percent).

Steve Weeks played 15 seasons in the NHL as a goalie. He played for the Silver Medal Canadian team in the 1985 World Championships.

The Thrashers are planning a news conference at 12:30 Central Time to introduce General Manager Dudley.