Paterson gets the boot, Phantoms in need of new coach

Joe Paterson has been let go as head coach of the Adirondack Phantoms after less than two seasons at the position.

“As an organization, we feel the Phantoms need a new voice moving forward,” Flyers GM Paul Holmgren said in a brief statement issued on the club's web site.  “We would like to thank Joe for his hard work and service to the Phantoms over the past season and a half, but we feel a new direction is needed at this time.”

After taking over for Greg Gilbert, who seemed overmatched at the start of the 2010-11 season and presided over a club which was dead last in the AHL, Paterson ensured the Phantoms finished strongly, racking up 31 wins by the end of the year. This past season, despite falling short of a playoff berth, he guided the club to a 37-35-4 mark and third-place finish in the Northeast Division.

All told, the former NHLer and year-round resident of Glens Falls racked up a 62-55-8 mark.