Whalers Fire Head Coach Larry Pleau : Bruins Name Mike Milbury to Head Team

Larry Pleau was fired today as coach of the Hartford Whalers, and the Boston Bruins named Mike Milbury, formerly an outstanding defenseman for the club, as their new head coach.

Pleau was fired less than a week after the Whalers named a new general manager.

The team will honor the final year of Pleau’s contract, worth about $125,000, General Manager Ed Johnston said in written statement.

Pleau’s dismissal fueled speculation that the Whalers will name former Calgary Flames Coach Bob Johnson as the team’s sixth coach. Johnson is the executive director of the Amateur Hockey Assn. of the United States.

Pleau, who met with Johnston on Monday, was not offered a chance to remain in the organization. There had been speculation that he would be offered a job with the Whalers’ American Hockey League affiliate in Binghamton.

Pleau’s departure marks the first time since the team was formed in the World Hockey Assn. in 1972 that the Lynn, Mass., native will not be employed by the Whaler organization.

“Larry Pleau has been a valued member of the Whalers’ family for many years,” Johnston said.

“However, it is my feeling that a change in philosophy is needed to turn our fortunes around and that we need new people to effect that change, which is why I have made the decision regarding Larry.”

Johnston was named last week to replace Emile Francis as vice president and general manager to direct the team’s day-to-day operations.

As coach of the Whalers, Pleau compiled an 81-117-26 career mark, including 50-51-5 since taking over the post on Feb. 7, 1988, when Hartford fired Coach Jack Evans. Hartford went 37-38-5 last season and finished fourth in the Adams Division before being swept by division champion Montreal.

Milbury, who will be 37 on June 17, was an overwhelming choice as Boston’s sixth coach in the last 10 years when Terry O’Reilly resigned May 1 to spend more time with his family.

Bruins President and General Manager Harry Sinden also named Milbury assistant general manager, giving the new coach more input in personnel decisions.

Milbury has been coach and general manager of the Maine Mariners in the AHL the last two years.