Curtis Hunt spoke with newly appointed Ottawa Senators head coach Craig Hartsburg on the weekend.

But it wasn't about an assistant-coaching position with the Senators -- although Hunt is rumoured to be a candidate for such a job.

Instead, the Regina Pats' head coach called Hartsburg to congratulate him on the NHL gig. Hunt was on Hartsburg's coaching staff at the last two world junior hockey championships, both of which were won by Canada.

Hunt was in Calgary on Saturday to speak to Hockey Canada's under-17 coaches as part of the Program of Excellence.

"Our whole staff was there, minus him, from the world juniors in the last two years,'' Hunt said Sunday. "We called him and busted his chops a little bit. Other than that, there was nothing in terms of a business perspective.''

After tending to the Hockey Canada obligations, Hunt read various text messages which pertained to the Senators-related speculation.

"It's just rumours, and that's expected,'' Hunt said. "We had some success and people want to drum up some news. If there isn't a rumour by 10 a.m., let's start one.''

To dispel the rumours, Hunt contacted Pats general manager Brent Parker on the weekend.

"I got off the plane and I texted Brent and said I'd had no conversation with Craig other than to congratulate him and to wish him the best for the upcoming season,'' Hunt said.

Although Hartsburg has not approached Hunt about an assistant's job, would he welcome any overtures from Ottawa?

"I think there's more people involved than just Craig,'' Hunt said. "He's certainly got a lengthy history in the game as a coach and an assistant coach. If I'm on his list, I'd be honoured, but we don't know what Ottawa's plans are with their assistants, currently. There's so many factors.''

The Senators have yet to announce whether they will retain assistant coach Greg Carvel and goaltending coach Eli Wilson.

"I've already talked about Greg, who is under contract, and they've worked together before (in Anaheim), and (Hartsburg) gets along and respects Greg a lot,'' Senators general manager Bryan Murray -- who coached the 1979-80 Pats -- told the Ottawa Citizen after Hartsburg was appointed. "I believe he's going to keep him and I also talked about Eli Wilson, as far as his credibility and the camps he runs, and the goaltenders he knows, and (Hartsburg) will decide.

"There's also another assistant coaching job. He threw a name at me, a very credible name. If that's who he wants, I know the guy quite well. I would be very happy with him.''

Hunt has been the Pats' head coach for four seasons after previously serving as the Moose Jaw Warriors' bench boss. He guided the 2007-08 Pats to their first East Division regular-season title in 10 years, only to lament a first-round playoff ouster at the hands of the Swift Current Broncos.

Hunt has one season remaining on his Pats contract, which includes a standard professional-advancement clause that would enable him to accept a pro job.

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