Florida Panthers Fire Kevin Dineen, Peter Horachek Named Interim Head Coach

After an underwhelming 3-9-4 start to begin their 2013-2014 campaign, Florida Panthers’ General Manager Dale Tallon announced on Friday that the team has fired Head Coach Kevin Dineen after just over two seasons with the club.  In addition to Dineen, both assistant coaches Gord Murphy and Craig Ramsay have also been relieved of their duties.

“After 16 games it was clear that our team needed a change in philosophy and direction,” said Tallon in the team’s press release. “We have not met the expectations that we set forth at training camp and it is my responsibility to make the necessary changes to ensure that our club performs at its maximum potential. We thank Kevin, Gord and Craig for their hard work and dedication to our organization and the professionalism that they displayed throughout their tenure.”

Praised for helping end the Panthers’ 12-year playoff drought in just his first year with the club, Dineen had since coached the team to an abysmal 26-40-16 record in his 82 last games.

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Peter Horachek Announced As New Rampage Head Coach

In an interesting bit of minor league news, Florida Panthers Assistant GM/San Antonio Rampage GM Mike Santos announced today that Peter Horachek has been named the new Head Coach of the club’s American Hockey League affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage. However, even with Horachek taking over head coaching duties, former Head Coach Chuck Weber will remain with the team as San Antonio’s Director of Hockey Operations and Associate Head Coach. Additionally, former Rampage Assistant Coach Jason Cipolla will join the Florida Panthers coaching staff and serve as the team’s video coach.

In a statement released by the team, Panthers’ Assistant GM Mike Santos sounded very confident in Horachek’s coaching abilities.

“We are excited to welcome Peter to the organization,” said Santos. “He brings with him a proven track record of success in developing players at all levels. Chuck and Peter have formed a winning combination in the past and are the perfect tandem to lead our prospects in San Antonio.”

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