The Minnesota Wild have hired a former player, Richard Park, for the role of player development coach.
From the press release:
Park’s primary responsibilities will include working with and assisting in the development of players with the Iowa Wild in the American Hockey League (AHL). He will begin his new role with the Wild organization this week.
Park, 38 (5/27/76), recorded 241 points (102-139=241) and 266 penalty minutes (PIM) in 738 career NHL games during 14 seasons with Pittsburgh, Anaheim, Philadelphia, Minnesota, Vancouver and the New York Islanders.
Can’t really add anything else to this news, so here’s some grainy footage from 2003 of Park scoring on Patrick Roy in overtime.
Minnesota, in just the third season of the franchise’s existence, would go on to upset the Avs in Game 7, before defeating Vancouver in the second round, also in seven games.
The Wild have enjoyed just one postseason series victory since.