Former Checker named Preds' coach

Former Indianapolis Checker Peter Laviolette was named the head coach of the NHL's Nashville Predators on Wednesday.

Laviolette had previously coached the Carolina Hurricanes to a Stanley Cup championship in 2006, and the Philadelphia Flyers to the Stanley Cup Final in 2010. He is currently coaching the United States in the IIHF World Championships in Belarus, which begins Friday.

The Franklin, Mass. native played his rookie pro season for the Checkers in 1986-87, tallying 10 goals, 30 points and 146 PIMs in 72 games. He represented the United States in the 1988 Winter Olympics the following year. He retired from an 11-year playing career -- nearly all in the minor pro ranks -- in 1997, and immediately began coaching. He led the Providence Bruins to the AHL's Calder Cup in 1999, and was named the league's Coach of the Year. He became the New York Islanders' head coach in 2000, and has coached three different NHL franchises in the years since. He started this past season in Philadelphia, but was fired three games into the year.

Laviolette replaces Barry Trotz, who had been the only coach in Predators history.

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