"After a difficult season personally for former North Stars captain Craig Hartsburg, he says he is focusing on his job as coach of the Western Hockey League's Everett Silvertips and not even thinking about a possible return to coaching in the NHL. Hartsburg, who suffered an aortic aneurysm and missed more than two months behind the bench with the Silvertips, says he is flattered to hear his name has been rumored as a possible Wild coaching candidate but adds that he has not talked to anyone from the team and doesn't know if the Wild are considering him. Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher fired coach Todd Richards two weeks ago. "I never talked to Chuck at all," Hartsburg said by phone Tuesday from Everett, Wash. "We're in our own little world of junior hockey, and if somebody wants to talk to you about your services, then they'll call you." Hartsburg, 51, who coached the Chicago Blackhawks, Anaheim Mighty Ducks and Ottawa Senators in the NHL, was a seven-year captain and three-time all-star for the North Stars. He was their 1979 first-round draft pick, played 570 games over 10 seasons in Minnesota, and produced 98 goals and 315 assists. "People were great when I played there, and I still have lots of friends," he said. "It's a great place, and whoever goes there is going to be pretty lucky." After his playing career, Hartsburg served as a North Stars assistant for a season before moving on and eventually being named coach of the Blackhawks in 1995. " Read more: http://www.twincities.com/wild/ci_17932477?nclick_check=1
