Don Waddell

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Don Waddell (b. August 19, 1958, Detroit, Michigan) is the current executive vice president and general manager of the Atlanta Thrashers and former ice hockey defenceman.

Contents

[edit] Playing career

Don Waddell was selected 111th overall, in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft. He was selected as the 3rd choice of the Los Angeles Kings on June 15, 1978. He played in the NHL for only one game with the Kings during the 1980-81 season.

His playing career consisted mostly of minor and college hockey. He played 4 seasons at Northern Michigan University. He was one of the final cuts for the 1980 U.S. men's hockey team. He won the International Hockey Leagues Governor's Trophy in 1982 for best defenceman during the regular season.

[edit] Coaching career

After his tenure as a player, he moved to coaching. For the 1987-88 season with the IHL Flint Spirits as a player-coach. For the next two seasons, he moved behind the bench permanently. Waddell moved on to the IHL San Diego Gulls for the 1991-92 season. Waddell took over as interim coach of the Atlanta Thrashers during the 2002-2003 season with a record of 3-5-1 as coach before Bob Hartley was named to the permanent job.

[edit] Management Career

Don Waddell was the assistant GM of the Detroit Red Wings from 1997-1998. He won a Stanley Cup championship with the team in the 1998 season. In June 1998, he was named the GM of the newly founded Atlanta Thrashers. He has remained in Atlanta since.

[edit] Awards

  • IHL Governor's Trophy (best defenceman, voted by coaches) - 1982

[edit] See also

Atlanta Thrashers Head Coaches
Fraser • Waddell • Hartley

[edit] External links

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