Goalie coach Mitch Korn leaves Predators, reunites with Barry Trotz in Washington
When Barry Trotz moved on from the Nashville Predators and was hired by the Washington Capitals as their new head coach, it signified the changes coming to Music City, as a man who had been there since Day One was gone.
Another significant change was announced on Thursday when the Predators promoted Ben Vanderklok from their AHL affiliate in Milwaukee to take over as the team's goaltending coach. That meant that Mitch Korn would also be moving on, and according to The Tennessean’s Josh Cooper, he’ll reunite with Trotz in Washington.
From The Tenneesean:
"I'm almost 57 years old. For me, this is what I believe is my last challenge," Korn told The Tennessean. "It was time to make a change. It was a great 16 years, but I felt that the company line is to stay with Barry.”
Korn’s contract was up with the Predators on June 30 and when they decided to part ways with Trotz, he stayed loyal to the head coach he worked with since 1998.
As Predators general manager David Poile told Cooper, Korn was a goalie whisperer of sorts, working with numerous netminders within the Nashville organization for 16 years. From Tomas Vokoun to Chris Mason to Dan Ellis to Pekka Rinne to Mike Dunham, he was able to help young goaltender develop, with Rinne being his most recent success.
Korn replaces Olie Kolzig who, according to CSN Washington’s Jill Sorenson, will stay on with the Capitals in an unspecified role.
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Sean Leahy is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Sean_Leahy
