Bob Hartley, the 2015 Jack Adams winner as NHL coach of the year, is reportedly ready to get back into the game -- in Latvia.
Per Latvian news outlet Sportacentrs, the country’s national hockey federation is reportedly “close” to signing on Hartley, who was dismissed by Calgary this past offseason and replaced by Glen Gulutzan.
The 56-year-old would be a major hire for Latvia.
Hartley’s captured both the Adams and a Stanley Cup, having led Colorado to the title in 2001. All told, he has nearly 1000 games of NHL head coaching experience, and over 450 wins.
Latvia has had some noteworthy bench bosses in the past. Among them was Ted Nolan, the former Sabres and Isles bench boss that led Latvia to an eighth-place finish at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi.
That tournament was perhaps best remembered for the scare the Latvians threw into Team Canada in a 2-1 loss in the quarterfinals.