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Longtime NHL coach Hartsburg announces retirement

New York Rangers v Ottawa Senators

OTTAWA - SEPTEMBER 20: Head Coach Craig Hartsburg of the Ottawa Senators looks on from the bench area during a game against the New York Rangers on September 20, 2008 at the Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, Canada. The Ottawa Senators defeated the New York Rangers 3-2. (Photo by Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images)

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Craig Hartsburg, who coached nearly 500 games with Chicago, Anaheim and Ottawa, announced on Wednesday that his bench boss career had come to a close.

“I’ve been very fortunate to spend the past 30-plus years in the game as a player or coach and have enjoyed every minute of it, but my priority now is to spend more time with my wife, children and grandchildren,” Hartsburg said in a release from Columbus, where he spent the last four years as an associate coach. “I have really enjoyed my time in Columbus, working with both John Tortorella and Todd Richards, and appreciate the opportunity to continue to be part of the organization in a role that will also allow me to devote more time to my family.”

Hartsburg, 56, has been well-traveled since transitioning to coaching after a 10-year playing career -- all of it spent with the Minnesota North Stars.

He spent one year in Minnesota as an assistant before moving to Philadelphia, Guelph (OHL), Chicago, Anaheim, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL), back to Philadelphia, back to Sault Ste. Marie, Ottawa, Everett (WHL), Calgary and, finally, Columbus.