Bob Hartley is back in the professional coaching ranks.
The former NHL bench boss was named head coach of the KHL's Avangard Omsk on Sunday, just days after he led Team Latvia to a 3-1-2-2 showing at the World Championship.
Hartley coached Latvia at the last two worlds, and he also served as a consultant for the country's entry at the 2016-17 world juniors.
Hartley hasn't coached in the NHL since 2015-16, when he wrapped up a four-year run with the Calgary Flames. But there's no denying his credentials. The 57-year-old has won wherever he's coached, collecting championships in the QMJHL, AHL, Swiss League, and a Stanley Cup win with the Colorado Avalanche.
Hartley was also given the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's coach of the year following the 2014-15 campaign. He owns a 463-361-120 record across 944 NHL games.
While it's unknown if Hartley is aiming for a return to an NHL bench, his path through Russia isn't unorthodox. Winnipeg Jets head coach Paul Maurice led the KHL's Magnitogorsk Metallurg in 2012-13 before heading to Manitoba the following season.
