THE SIDELINES : Maple Leafs Coach Relieved of Job
TORONTO — George Armstrong has been relieved of his coaching duties with the Toronto Maple Leafs, only 23 days before the start of the NHL team’s training camp.
The move follows the resignation last Friday of General Manager Gord Stellick, who on Tuesday was named assistant GM of the New York Rangers.
“I was told I would not be coaching the team any more,†Armstrong, 59, told the Toronto Star on Tuesday. Maple Leafs owner Harold Ballard “decided that’s what was best for the hockey team, and I think they’ll be better off without me.â€
Club spokesman Bob Stellick said Armstrong would “most likely†return to a scouting role with the Maple Leafs.
Armstrong, a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame who played 20 years with the Maple Leafs, replaced John Brophy as head coach last Dec. 19. Armstrong went 19-26-4 the rest of the season as Toronto finished fifth in the Norris Division and failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Armstrong indicated to the club that he was not interested in coaching but was only doing what his employer asked of him.
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