Predators fire associate coach Peter Horachek

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Nashville Predators have fired associate coach Peter Horachek after nine seasons with the franchise.

General manager David Poile announced the move Tuesday in a statement posted on the franchise’s website. There were multiple media reports Monday night that Horachek had been fired, but the Predators would not comment.

Poile thanked Horachek for his contributions on the website, but the GM said in a short statement they made the “difficult decision” to allow Horachek to pursue other opportunities.

Horachek had been with the Predators since June 2003, and he interviewed for Dallas’ head coaching job in 2011.

With Nashville, he helped develop the Predators’ draft picks and worked with the power play and the penalty kill.

But the Predators went 16-23-9 for their first season below .500 since 2002-03.