Truth and Rumors (or rumours since I'm in Canada)

from Drinnan:

The Americans are expected to name Scott Beattie as an assistant coach today to replace Terry Virtue, who resigned citing personal reasons and has since signed with the OHL’s Owen Sound Attack. . . . Beattie and Tri-City head coach Jim Hiller go way back and, in fact, were teammates for three seasons at Northern Michigan.  (Taking Note)

In the rumours department, this from Buzzing the Net:

A lot of talk about the defending Western Conference champion Tri-City Americans: Head coach Jim Hiller is rumoured to be in the mix for an assistant coach position with the NHL's Atlanta Thrashers.  (BTN)

More from Coming Down the Pipe!:

Jim Hiller who won 47 games as head coach of the Tri City Americans last year might be in line for an assistant coaching job with the Thrashers. It was Hiller's first as head coach, he was an assistant for 2 years ending in 2004, and was the bench boss in Chilliwack from 06-08. He was let go in Chilliwack after winning just 53 games in two years with the expansion Bruins, but took Tri City to game 5 of the WHL final this year. Is he a great coach, or a good coach with great players? I guess that's what Atlanta is trying to figure out in their interview with him. The 2009-2010 Hiller coached Americans racked up the most wins in the WHL's western conference and scored the second most goals of the entire league. Their top two lines ranged from 54-83 points, but there aren't a lot of star power on the team, just a lot of really solid players. He would be joining Craig Ramsay's coaching staff along with John Torchetti as associate coach.  (CDTP)

So there's something to think about.  Obviously, as an Americans fan I hope that doesn't happen, especially this soon before the season starting.  It would be a great opportunity for him, that goes without saying, and it'd be quite a quick rise to the pro ranks when the 05-06 season was his first as a head coach.

Chew on that this lovely Tuesday, I should have my next Hockey Team Identity Project up sometime in the next day or so.