Grand Rapids - The Grand Rapids Griffins have hired their eight head coach in team history, and Red Wing fans may remember him for battling Detroit players in the past.
Curt Fraser was named head coach this morning by Griffins General Manager Bob McNamara at a Van Andel Arena news conference.
Fraser, 50, has been head coach of the Atlanta Thrashers of the NHL and Orlando Solar Bears and Milwaukee Admirals of the old IHL. The Solar Bears won the Turner Cup in 1996 and 1999 under his direction. Most recently, he has been the head coach of the Belarus National Team.
Fraser played in the NHL for 12 years for the Vancouver Canucks, Chicago Blackhawks and Minnesota North Stars. He accumulated 433 points over his career and 1,306 penalty minutes. During his playing career, he fought the likes of Joey Kocur and Bob Probert of the Red Wings.
He played in the Stanley Cup Finals for the Canucks in 1982.
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