Ducks Bring Back Gauthier

Rejected by a minor league coach, unable to sign free agents and taking a beating in the arena of public opinion, the Mighty Ducks turned to a familiar face Thursday to start their salvage project.

Pierre Gauthier, former Duck assistant general manager, was introduced as the franchise’s president during a news conference at the Arrowhead Pond.

Gauthier, who agreed to a five-year contract, said he couldn’t wait to get started.

Tony Tavares, who gives up day-to-day control of the Ducks in order to concentrate on running Disney’s Anaheim Sports, couldn’t wait for Gauthier to get going either.

“I felt and I have felt ever since Pierre left that there was a void,” Tavares said. “[With Gauthier back] we are [now] better prepared to deal with the day-to-day process of running an NHL franchise.”

The first order of business will be to hire a coach to replace Pierre Page, who was fired June 15.

Butch Goring, coach and general manager of the Utah Grizzlies of the International Hockey League, turned down the Ducks’ take-it-or-leave-it offer Tuesday and it appeared the coaching search was back to Square 1 by Thursday.

Former Chicago Blackhawk coach Craig Hartsburg indicated he had spoken to Duck officials Thursday and expected to learn more from them today.

Andy Murray, former Canadian national team coach who was believed to be a finalist along with Goring, said: “I have no idea what’s going on.”

Others who might have moved into consideration Thursday included Carolina Hurricane assistant coach Randy Ladouceur, a former Duck defenseman, and former Toronto Maple Leaf coach Mike Murphy, who was fired last month.

Murphy was one of three finalists when Ron Wilson was hired as the first Duck coach in 1993.

“The final decision is going to be mine,” General Manager Jack Ferreira said. “Knowing Pierre, there are going to be a few people he’ll want to talk to.”

Gauthier and Ferreira huddled Thursday, then were expected to adopt a course of action that could lead to a hiring in the next few days.

“It’s a priority, but there’s no urgency,” Gauthier said of hiring a coach. “Two or three days more won’t make a difference.”

Reminded of his promise to season ticket holders Tuesday that the coaching situation would be resolved within 48 hours, Tavares said Thursday morning, “Forty-eight hours isn’t up yet.”

The second task Gauthier faces is signing a free agent to bolster the Ducks’ defense. Most of the top unrestricted free agents already have signed elsewhere, but former Duck Fredrik Olausson is still available.

The Ducks learned Thursday that they lost free-agent right wing Scott Young to the St. Louis Blues. He signed a four-year, $7-million contract with the Blues, further eroding the Ducks’ depth.

The third, and perhaps most difficult job for Gauthier, is to repair the Ducks’ tarnished image before the season begins Oct. 10 against Wilson and the Washington Capitals.

“Once we get a coach in place, it’s going to stabilize the organization,” Gauthier said. “Then we’ll talk about players and the rest of the organization.”

Hiring Gauthier, 45, figured to be a no-brainer for the Ducks from the moment he quit in Ottawa on June 29. Tavares and Disney chairman Michael Eisner are known to be great admirers of Gauthier’s administrative and organizational skills.

It also had been rumored for months that Gauthier would rejoin the Ducks, but the conventional wisdom around the NHL was that he would replace Ferreira as general manager.

Ferreira retained his job although the Ducks finished 12th in the 13-team Western Conference, but Page and assistant coaches Don Hay and Walt Kyle were fired.

When he resigned in Ottawa, Gauthier said, “The demands of the position and family life became incompatible.” He planned to relax after moving his family from Ottawa to Irvine, where they maintained a residence since his first stint with the Ducks.

Tavares called July 8 to offer Gauthier the job as team president. Over the next few days they agreed on a job description and a contract.

“The right guy at the right time,” Tavares said of hiring Gauthier.

The move reunites the original management team. David McNab moved from director of player personnel to assistant general manager when Gauthier left Anaheim to become General Manager of the Senators in 1995.

“It’s exciting to rejoin David and Jack,” Gauthier said. “As a team we can bring this franchise back to where it needs to be.

“It’s great to be back.”