Blue Jackets' Hartsburg retires from coaching

Veteran coach Craig Hartsburg is calling it a career.

An assistant with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Hartsburg is retiring after 27 years behind various benches. He'll remain with the club in a hockey operations capacity.

Hartsburg cited the difficulty in leaving his family and grandchildren at the end of each summer as the impetus behind his decision.

Now 56, Hartsburg spent time as head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks, Anaheim Ducks, and Ottawa Senators, compiling a 201-208-69 record.

"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. "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."