Coyotes hire Ferguson Jr. as AGM

The Arizona Coyotes named veteran executive John Ferguson Jr. assistant general manager, the team announced Wednesday.

Ferguson spent the past seven seasons as the Boston Bruins executive director of player personnel and general manager of the AHL's Providence Bruins. His duties with the Coyotes will include running their farm team, the Tucson Roadrunners.

"We are very pleased to name John as our new assistant general manager," GM Bill Armstrong said. "John is extremely knowledgeable about the game and with 20-plus years in the NHL, brings a tremendous amount of experience to our hockey operations department. We are thrilled to have him join our team and I am looking forward to working with him."

Ferguson's executive career has included stints with the St. Louis Blues, San Jose Sharks, and Toronto Maple Leafs, where he was vice president and general manager for four seasons.

The 54-year-old also helped guide Team Canada to a gold medal at the 2007 world championship.