Blue Jackets Name Keith Acton Assistant Coach

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The Columbus Blue Jackets announced today that former National Hockey League player and longtime assistant coach Keith Acton has joined the club as an assistant coach. Acton joins newly hired Associate Coach Craig Hartsburg and returning Assistant Coach Dan Hinote, Goaltending Coach Ian Clark, Video Assistant Coach Dan Singleton and Strength & Conditioning Coach Kevin Collins to round out Head Coach Todd Richards’ staff.

Acton, 54, has spent more than 30 years in the NHL as a player and assistant coach. He most recently served as an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2001-11, working along side head coaches Pat Quinn, Paul Maurice and Ron Wilson. Prior to his stint with the Leafs, he was an assistant coach with the New York Rangers from 1998-00, under John Muckler and John Tortorella, and served as an assistant/associate coach with the Philadelphia Flyers from 1994-98 under Terry Murray, Wayne Cashman and Roger Nielsen.

“Keith is a quality person who brings a lot of experience, both as an assistant coach and player in the NHL, to our coaching staff,” said Richards. “My goal has been to surround myself with knowledgeable and experienced people who could add a lot to our staff and I think we have done that with the group of coaches we have here.”

A center during his playing career, Acton was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the sixth round, 103rd overall, at the 1978 NHL Draft. He made his debut with the Canadiens during the 1979-80 season and went on to register 226 goals, 358 assists, 584 points and 1,172 penalty minutes in 1,023 career NHL games with Montreal, the Minnesota North Stars, Edmonton Oilers, Philadelphia Flyers, Washington Capitals and New York Islanders. He tallied a career-high 36-52-88 with 88 penalty minutes in 78 games with Montreal in 1981-82, appearing in the All-Star Game that season, and helped the Oilers capture the 1988 Stanley Cup championship.

Acton was born on April 15, 1958 in Stouffville, Ontario. His family includes daughters, Brooke and Elise, and sons, William and Robert.