KENNEWICK, Wash. - Tri-City Americans head coach Stu Barnes is stepping down and "pursuing other professional opportunities," the team announced Friday.
Barnes played for the Americans during the team's first two seasons, scoring 285 points as an American.
He was later drafted fourth overall by the Winnipeg Jets in the 1989 NHL Draft and scored 597 points in 1,136 NHL games.
After his NHL career, Barnes returned to the Ams as head coach for four years, bringing the team to the playoffs in 2023 and 2025 and garnering a record of 108-140-19-5.
"Stu is not just an excellent coach, he is also a true gentleman, a great human being and a very good friend," said Ams General Manager Bob Tory. "He will continue to serve in an advisory capacity to me and our entire organization."
Barnes will continue to be a minority shareholder in the organization and be a part of the team's ownership group.
Tory says the team will start searching soon for a new head coach.
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