EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Devils backup goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck is leaving the NHL to become the head coach and director of hockey operations for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League.
A part-owner of the Greyhounds, Vanbiesbrouck will take over both jobs from Craig Hartsburg, who left to become an assistant coach for the Philadelphia Flyers.
Vanbiesbrouck retired after the Devils lost Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals to the Colorado Avalanche last June. He returned for the final three months of this season, playing sparingly behind Martin Brodeur.
Vanbiesbrouck appeared in 882 games in his 17-year career, with 40 shutouts. He played for the New York Rangers, Florida, Philadelphia and the New York Islanders before going to the Devils in 2001.
He won the Vezina Trophy in 1986 as the NHL's top goalie and led the Panthers to the Stanley Cup finals in 1996.
The Greyhounds also announced Steve Harrison will return as an assistant coach and that Dave Torrie will be the team's director of player personnel.