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Preds hire Phil Housley as assistant coach

Phil Housley USA Hockey

It didn’t take long for Nashville to find a replacement for Peter Horachek.

On Tuesday, the club announced the hiring of Phil Housley as its new assistant coach.

Housley will replace Horachek -- who was fired on Monday -- on Barry Trotz’s staff, and work alongside fellow assistant Lane Lambert.

“Phil brings a unique skill set to our coaching staff,” Preds GM David Poile said. “He was one of the most talented offensive defensemen to play in the NHL, and he has worked extensively with young players during his coaching career.

“He will continue to focus his efforts on our young defensemen and assisting on the power play.”

Housley ranks fourth all-time among NHL defensemen in points (1,232) and has achieved great success in his short head coaching career. He led Team USA to gold at the 2013 World Juniors, and served as an assistant to Joe Sacco at the ’13 World Championships, where the Americans captured bronze.

Housley will have plenty of quality young defensive prospects to work with in Nashville.

Chief among them is Ryan Ellis, the 11th overall pick in 2009 that, like Housley, is a diminutive offensive blueliner.

He’ll also get to work with Swiss star Roman Josi -- who won tournament MVP at the Worlds -- and Jonathan Blum, the club’s first-round selection in 2007.