But he made the change on Saturday. He did an excellent job, but at this point in time we felt that the organization needed to make a change. Bobby is a class individual and we wish him the all the best and great success in the future. Smith was hired as Coyotes' vice president of hockey operations in May 1996 and was promoted to general manager in December of that year. Fletcher, a general manager for 19 years with the Flames and seven years with the Toronto Maple Leafs, joins the Coyotes after working the past two seasons as a senior adviser for the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Cliff is a wonderful person and one of the most respected gentlemen in the game of hockey.
His wealth and experience of knowledge of the game will be a valuable asset to our organization. A native of Montreal, Fletcher was the Flames' general manager in the club's first 19 years of existence. He oversaw the beginning of the Atlanta Flames franchise in 1972, and in 1980, he organized the transfer of the team to Calgary. In the Flames' 11 seasons in Calgary with Fletcher at the helm, the club advanced to two Stanley Cup Finals and won two Presidents' Trophies. From 1991-97, Fletcher served as the chief operating officer, president and general manager of the Maple Leafs.