Ex-Chiefs coach Peters welcomes challenge

RALEIGH, N.C. – The Carolina Hurricanes hope they have the leadership tandem in place to turn the franchise around.

Bill Peters was introduced Friday as the Hurricanes’ new coach, the first big hire made by new Carolina general manager Ron Francis. Now it’s up to Peters to prove it was a shrewd move.

Carolina has made three coaching changes since 2006 and has only one playoff appearance to show for it.

“When I did my due diligence and went to look at rosters … we’re not far off,” Peters said. “I think there’s lots of pieces here and it’s up to us and our coaching staff … to max our group out.”

Peters served four seasons as Spokane Chiefs assistant coach and three seasons as head coach, capped by winning the Memorial Cup in 2008.

A few hours after Peters’ formal introduction, the Hurricanes made another addition to their management team, hiring 44-year-old Ricky Olczyk – the younger brother of former NHL coach and current NBC Sports analyst Ed Olczyk – as an assistant general manager.

The younger Olczyk spent six years as Edmonton’s assistant GM and was the Oilers’ NHL liaison for all collective bargaining agreement matters.

Peters replaces Kirk Muller, who was fired last month – a week into Francis’ tenure as GM – and went 80-80-27 in three seasons with no playoff berths.

Instead of an established NHL head coach or a popular ex-player, Francis went with Peters – a 48-year-old Detroit Red Wings assistant who has never been an NHL head coach but was in demand this offseason.

Peters said he interviewed for two other jobs.