Thunderbirds coach off to the NHL

Konowalchuk to leave WHL champions, join Anaheim Ducks as assistant coach

June 28, 2017 2:30 pm
Steve Konowalchuk had a 219-176-22-15 record in six years with the Thunderbirds, leading the team to its first Western Hockey League title this past season. COURTESY PHOTO, Brian Liesse/T-Birds

Seattle Thunderbirds coach Steve Konowalchuk has accepted an assistant coaching position with the National Hockey League’s Anaheim Ducks.

“We are sorry to see him go, but this is a great opportunity for Steve and we wish him the best,” general manager Russ Farwell said in a news release Wednesday. “He did a very good job with our team in all areas and is deserving of this opportunity. We will begin our search immediately for a new head coach.”

Konowalchuk had a 219-176-22-15 record in six years in Kent, guiding the T-Birds to their first Western Hockey League title this past season. His record and winning percentage of .549 are second best in team coaching history.

“It’s been an amazing six years coaching the T-Birds and being a part of the T-Bird organization,” Konowalchuk said. “I’ll always be grateful to Russ Farwell and Colin Campbell for giving me the opportunity to coach the team. I am also very appreciative of the best fans in the WHL and the unbelievable support they have given me and the team. It was a hard decision to move on as my family loves Seattle and it will always be home.

“I am excited and thankful for the great opportunity Bob Murray and Randy Carlyle have given me to join a world class organization and compete for a Stanley Cup.”

Under Konowalchuk, the T-Birds won back-to-back Western Conference championships with series victories over the Kelowna Rockets in 2016 and 2017.

Konowalchuk was named the 16th coach in franchise history on June 16, 2011. He was an assistant coach with the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche for two seasons prior to joining the T-Birds. Konowalchuk was a member of the Avalanche player development department during the 2007-08 NHL season.

Konowalchuk appeared in 790 games over 14 NHL seasons with the Washington Capitals and Avalanche, recording 171 goals and 225 assists for 396 points. Konowalchuk was selected by the Washington Capitals in the third round, 58th overall, in the 1991 NHL Draft.

Konowalchuk played two seasons in the WHL with the Portland Winterhawks. He had 94 goals and 102 assists for 196 points in 136 games with the Winterhawks.