Ken Hitchcock is a decorated NHL coach who began his career in the minors in 1974. He is always promoting the game of hockey to communities across North America, with an extraordinary resume he has built.
His accomplishments really put him in the discussion of “The greatest coaches of all-time” talk, with hopes that he may come out of retirement and lead a struggling team to the playoffs.
Hitchcock started his coaching career in the minor leagues in Edmonton before moving to coach the Kamloops Blazer for five years. He also was an assistant coach in an under-20 world junior hockey tournament and won the gold medal.
Ken Hitchcock and his Accomplishments.
Ken Hitchcock is a prime role model that has accomplished many feats in his tenure as a coach in the world of ice hockey. From his farm league days to international gameplay coaching days that had brought him great success.
During his career, he coached in the minors for eighteen years. Then emerging as a head coach for the Dallas Stars in 1996. Highlighting his career by winning the Stanley Cup in 1999.
Besides the Stars, Ken Hitchcock has also coached teams such as the Philadelphia Flyers and the Columbus Blue Jackets for five years. But who could forget about St. Louis?
Hitchcock spent six and a half seasons with the St. Louis Blues making the playoffs every year minus the year he was fired halfway through the season. He coached the Blues to a 248-124-41 record and made it as far as the Conference Final in 2016.
After his time in St. Louis, Hitchcock also coached for the Stars and Oilers for one season each.
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— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) June 18, 2019
George Kingston, Jayna Hefford and Ken Hitchcock were each honoured with the Order of Hockey in Canada this morning.
The three continue to make a difference in the game, ensuring Canadians can experience #Hockey4Life. pic.twitter.com/36J8yfcrBI
Where does Ken Hitchcock rank amongst the other coaches of his time?
Ken Hitchcock ranks fourth overall as the winningest coach of all time, compared to the other greats. But, I think he will still go down as one of the greatest coaches in the league’s history.
What would be the NHL’s Christmas present for Ken Hitchcock?
With his strategic line formations, Ken Hitchcock is a premier coach with the ability and experience to turn a team around and take them to the playoffs. His experience and his Hall of Fame personality would be a great addition to any struggling team.