Marlies hire Gord Dineen as head coach, promote Derek king to associate coach

TORONTO - The Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League have hired Gord Dineen as their new head coach.

Dineen replaces Steve Spott, who was promoted to Randy Carlyle's coaching staff with the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs.

Dineen, 51, had served as an assistant coach with the Marlies for the past five seasons. Over that span, the Marlies posted a record of 202-139-17-30 and won three consecutive North Division championships and one Western Conference title.

Dineen led the Iowa Chops to a record of 33-33-0-14 in 2008-09 in his only other stint as an AHL head coach.

Throughout his coaching career, Dineen has also been an assistant coach with the Springfield Falcons, Utah Grizzlies, San Antonio Rampage and Portland Pirates.

Prior to joining the coaching ranks, the Toronto native registered 106 points (16 goals, 90 assists) in 528 NHL games as a defenceman with the New York Islanders, Minnesota North Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators.

The Marlies also promoted Derek King to associate coach. King, 47, had spent the previous five seasons as an assistant coach with the Marlies alongside Dineen.

The Hamilton native is a former 13th overall draft pick of the New York Islanders. During his playing career, King registered 612 points (261 goals, 351 assists) in 830 NHL games while playing for the Islanders, Hartford Whalers, Maple Leafs and St. Louis Blues