OTTAWA - Ottawa Senators ( @Senators ) general manager Pierre Dorion announced today the hiring of Marc Crawford as associate coach. Crawford joins Guy Boucher’s coaching staff and has agreed to terms on a three-year agreement with the Senators.

Crawford, 55, brings 15 years of National Hockey League experience to Ottawa coaching staff. The native of Belleville, Ont., was a head coach for 1,151 games, which ranks 16th in league history. He posted a career record of 549-421-100-77 over 15 seasons as a head coach with the Quebec Nordiques (1994-95), Colorado Avalanche (1995-96 to 1997-98), Vancouver Canucks (1998-99 to 2005-06), Los Angeles Kings (2006-07 to 2007-08) and Dallas Stars (2009-10 to 2010-11).

“Marc’s extensive coaching experience in the National Hockey League and in Europe combined with his exceptional coaching skills makes him a coveted coaching asset for any professional hockey team,” said Senators owner Eugene Melnyk. “Marc had options and he chose to be with the Ottawa Senators and that is a reflection of what he sees in the future of our hockey club. He is an incredibly well respected coach and I am very grateful that Marc’s decision to return to the NHL will be with our team.”

Crawford spent the last four seasons as the head coach of Zurich of the National League A in Switzerland, posting a 125-47-28 record, while winning a league championship in both 2013-14 and 2015-16.

A Stanley Cup champion in 1995-96 with Colorado, Crawford also won the Jack Adams as the NHL’s coach of the year following the 1994-95 campaign and the American Hockey League’s coach of the year in 1992-93. He coached Team Canada at the 1998 NHL Olympic games, the first time NHL players participated in the event.

As a player, Crawford appeared in 176 NHL games, recording 50 points (19 goals, 31 assists) with the Vancouver Canucks between 1981 and 1987. He was originally selected by the Canucks in the fourth round (70th overall) of the 1980 NHL Entry Draft.

Mark and his wife Helene reside in Cornwall, Ont., and have two children, Dylan, 25, and Kaitlin, 23.

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