Nashville Predators assistant coach Peter Horachek has been promoted to associate coach, President and General Manager David Poile announced Wednesday.
Horachek has been a part of the team's coaching staff since the 2003-04 season, helping the Predators to Stanley Cup Playoff berths in six of his first seven seasons. Horachek has also helped the Predators reach the 40-win mark in each of the last six seasons, while amassing the League's sixth-highest win total (272) since 2005-06.
"Peter has brought great energy, passion and knowledge to our coaching staff for the last seven seasons," Poile said. "He has played a significant role in our overall success, including the development of so many homegrown players. He is very deserving of this promotion.
Prior to joining the Predators coaching staff on June 19, 2003, Horachek served as head coach of Nashville's primary developmental affiliate in the AHL, the Milwaukee Admirals. He guided the Admirals to a 32-27-14-7 record and their first playoff series victory since 1998. Prior to becoming head coach of the Admirals, the Stoney Creek, Ont., native won championships as a coach and a player.
In 2000-01, Horachek coached the Orlando Solar Bears to the International Hockey League championship. The Solar Bears went 12-4 in the Turner Cup Playoffs and Horachek was named the 2001 IHL Coach of the Year. He also spent time as head coach of the ECHL's Trenton Titans, head coach/director of hockey operations for the ECHL's Nashville Knights, and as an assistant with Saginaw of the International League. He also served as a player/assistant coach with Flint (IHL).
As a player, Horachek held the title of team captain in four of his five seasons with the Saginaw/Flint Generals and won a Turner Cup Championship in 1984. In 545 career professional games, he tallied 188 goals and 426 points.
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