Los Angeles, CA – Darryl Sutter was officially named head coach of the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday.
Sutter, who has taken an NHL team to the playoffs in 10 of 11 seasons as a head coach, will take over beginning with practice on Wednesday and will debut behind the Kings bench in Thursday's home game against Anaheim.
The Kings will hold a press conference after Wednesday's practice.
His imminent hiring to a multi-year contract was reported over the weekend, but the Canadian Sutter apparently had immigration issues to work out.
He takes over for Terry Murray, who was fired December 12. John Stevens coached the Kings on an interim basis for the last four games.
Sutter, 53, inherits a team that sits in fourth place in the Pacific Division with 34 points. The Kings rank seventh in the NHL in goals-against average, but are dead last in scoring at 2.12 goals per game.
In 11 seasons coaching the Blackhawks, Sharks and Flames, Sutter compiled a record of 409-320-131. His 10 playoff appearances included a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals with Calgary in 2004.
The former NHL forward remained Calgary's coach for one more season following the lockout before deciding to focus solely on his general manager duties with the Flames. Sutter resigned from that position last December.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.