National Hockey League

Hitchcock interested in Devils job

Published May. 20, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

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Just back from coaching Canada at the World Championships in Slovakia, Ken Hitchcock said he is very interested in the New Jersey Devils' head coaching job, the New York Post reported Friday.

"I'd like to get back into the NHL in a head [coaching] position," Hitchcock said late Thursday. "I haven't had any contacts. Nothing yet."

Hitchcock won the Stanley Cup with Dallas in 1999, lost to New Jersey in the 2000 finals, and has also had runs with the Flyers and Blue Jackets. The 59-year-old possesses an NHL record of 534 wins, 350 losses, 88 ties and 70 overtime losses.

Hitchcock is probably the top candidate for several coaching vacancies, including the Devils and Stars.

"Everybody knows the Devils and what they are. I've had long conversations with both [the late] Pat [Burns] and Jacques [Lemaire] about working for [Devils GM] Lou [Lamoriello], and both had nothing but praise," Hitchcock said. "People in the game, people whose opinions I respect speak highly of him."

Hitchcock is believed to head the list of Devils' candidates, which probably also includes Marc Crawford, Craig MacTavish, Kirk Muller and Mike Keenan. Jacques Lemaire retired again April 10 after coaching the Devils to a 29-17-3 record after the Devils opened 9-22-2 under John MacLean.

Team Canada finished a disappointing fifth at the World Championships as Finland took home the top prize May 15.
 

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