Coyotes announce contract extensions for Playfair, Effinger, O'Hearn
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Coyotes signed associate coach Jim Playfair and director of pro scouting Frank Effinger to multiyear contract extensions, the team announced Monday.
Chris O'Hearn also was promoted to vice president of hockey operations.
As per team policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.
Playfair enters his fourth season as Coyotes' associate coach in 2014-15. In his three seasons in Arizona, the 50-year-old Playfair has assisted with the development of Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Keith Yandle who have emerged as premier NHL defensemen. He also helped lead the Coyotes to a Pacific Division title and the Western Conference Final in his first season with the organization in 2011-12.
Playfair joined the Coyotes on June 7, 2011, from Calgary where he spent 11 years as a coach with the Flames organization. He was named the 14th head coach of the Calgary Flames on July 12, 2006. In his only season behind the bench (2006-07), Playfair led Calgary to an impressive 43-29-10 record (96 points) in the Northwest Division. Prior to that, he spent three years as an assistant coach with the Flames (2003-06).
Effinger enters his seventh season with the Coyotes and his fifth as director of pro scouting. He is responsible for all professional scouting and oversees the schedule for the Coyotes' pro scouts. With the Coyotes, Effinger has been influential in acquiring the likes of Sam Gagner, Mike Smith and Antoine Vermette.
Effinger joined the Coyotes after spending two seasons as a professional scout with the New York Rangers. Prior to that, he spent seven years with the Minnesota Wild as the club's Eastern Pro Scout. With the Wild, Effinger was influential in acquiring Dwayne Roloson, Brian Rolston and Kim Johnsson while also playing a role in the team's Expansion Draft in 2000.
O'Hearn enters his eighth season with the Coyotes and his first as vice president of hockey operations. As a member of Arizona's hockey operations management team, O'Hearn is responsible for player contract research and negotiations, scheduling, salary arbitration, salary cap management as well as the evaluation of pro and amateur players. He also is involved with fiscal and strategic planning, compliance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement and administration with the NHL's Central Registry.
