Predators hire Dan Hinote as assistant coach

The Nashville Predators announced on Thursday that they hired Dan Hinote as an assistant for head coach John Hynes.

Hinote, who won a Stanley Cup as a player with the Colorado Avalanche in 2001, spent the previous two campaigns as an associate coach for USA Hockey's National Team Development Program. The 43-year-old previously worked with the Columbus Blue Jackets as an assistant coach from 2010-14 and then as a scout for four more years.

Hinote was the first West Point player ever drafted by an NHL organization.

Via the official club statement, Hynes said: 

"Dan Hinote's character, personality, as well as playing and coaching experience will be a great fit for our team and players. As a player, Dan brought energy and leadership to his teams, winning a Stanley Cup with Colorado in 2001, and his experience as a coach with the Columbus Blue Jackets and USA Hockey's National Team Development Program will be of great value to our organization."

Nashville president of hockey operations and general manager David Poile added: 

"In this assistant coach position, we were looking for a former player who was fairly recently retired but still had coaching experience, and Dan fit that description perfectly. He builds strong connections with players - including (Nashville alternate captain) Ryan Johansen in his time in Columbus - and has played with Predators alumni and Hall of Famers Paul Kariya and Peter Forsberg in Colorado, as well as Predators Director of Player Development Scott Nichol, Preds broadcaster Chris Mason and Kariya again in St. Louis. Dan complements John and the rest of our current staff nicely, and I trust he will be a tremendous asset to the team."