Strachan (l) is a former Nottingham Panthers player

Nottingham Panthers have appointed former Great Britain and Hull coach Rick Strachan as their assistant coach.

Panthers have lost six of their last seven matches and Strachan will also replace Davie Graham on the bench.

Chairman Neil Black said: "We're in a results-based business. We had two huge crowds across Christmas and we didn't give them a win to cheer.

"We've added Rick to the coaching staff and we're all very positive about his inclusion in our plans."

Panthers lost both of their Christmas matches with rivals Sheffield Steelers and were beaten on Wednesday night on penalty shots at home by Braehead Clan.

We're looking forward to working together and with a new year looming it's a new start for us Corey Neilson on Rick Strachan

Graham, who was appointed as bench coach back in April, departs after Panthers slipped to fourth in the Elite League.

Canada-born Strachan, who played for the Panthers for one season back in 1990/91, added: "There's a lot of talent to work with here, it's a great club and a big club.

"I'll be working with player-coach Corey Neilson and we're planning to get the confidence back, there's not a lot wrong."

Neilson said: "Rick has a lot of experience at club level as well as at international level.

"We're looking forward to working together and with a new year looming it's a new start for us."

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