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Ken Hitchcock

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Ken Hitchcock
Hockey Hall of Fame, 2023 (Builder)
Hitchcock in 2014
Born (1951-12-17) December 17, 1951 (age 73)
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Coached for Dallas Stars
Philadelphia Flyers
Columbus Blue Jackets
St. Louis Blues
Edmonton Oilers
Coaching career 1984–2019

Kenneth S. Hitchcock (born December 17, 1951) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey coach. Hitchcock coached the Dallas Stars, Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets, St. Louis Blues and Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He also served as an assistant coach for Canada national team in the 2014 Winter Olympics. Hitchcock won a Stanley Cup with the Stars in 1999, and is the fourth-winningest coach in NHL history with a total of 849 victories. He was named a 2019 Order of Hockey in Canada recipient.[1] Hitchcock was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder in 2023.[2]

Early years

[edit]

While growing up playing hockey in western Canada, Hitchcock found he could motivate players. This led him into coaching, first at various levels in the Edmonton area, and later a ten-year stint at the helm of the midget AAA Sherwood Park Chain Gang. Hitchcock led Sherwood Park to a record of 575–69.[3] In his spare time, he taught hockey fundamentals to girls at a local hockey school.[4]

Hitchcock submitted his credentials to the new owners of the WHL's Kamloops Blazers, Gary Cooper and Colin Day. Hitchcock assumed his position behind the bench for the 1984–85 season and had an immediate effect on the Blazers, leading them to four consecutive division titles and league titles in 1985–86 and 1989–90. In both of the seasons he guided the Blazers to the league title, Hitchcock was named the WHL Coach of the Year, and he was named the top coach in Canadian major junior hockey in 1990.[3] Hitch's team appeared in the Memorial Cup tournament twice, never advancing beyond the semi-finals. In six seasons in Kamloops, Hitchcock recorded a 291–125–15 record, which stands as the second best in WHL history.[3]

NHL coaching career

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Dallas Stars

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In 1990, Hitchcock left the WHL and joined the Philadelphia Flyers as an assistant coach. Hitchcock spent three seasons with the Flyers organization before leaving to helm the IHL affiliate of the Dallas Stars, the Kalamazoo Wings, for the 1993–94 season.

In the middle of his third season with the team (then renamed the Michigan K-Wings), he was offered the head coaching position with the Dallas Stars, and on January 8, 1996, he was named head coach, replacing Bob Gainey, who remained with the Stars as general manager.[5] In his first full season with the Stars, he led the team to the Central Division title, the franchise's first since 1984, when the team was still in Minnesota. In his second full season with the Stars, Hitchcock again led the Stars to the playoffs, losing in the Conference Finals to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings. Also during the 1997–98 season, Hitchcock was named to his first of three consecutive NHL All-Star Game teams as coach.

During the 1998–99 NHL season, Hitchcock led the Stars to a regular season record of 51–19–12. In the 1999 playoffs, Hitchcock led the team to a Stanley Cup victory over the Buffalo Sabres, the team's first. The next season, Hitchcock again led the team to the Stanley Cup Finals, only to lose to the New Jersey Devils.

In the 2000–01 season, Hitchcock again led the Stars to the playoffs, but the team exited in the Conference Semifinals. Midway through the following season, after getting off to a mediocre 23–21–6 start and in the midst of strife between the players and management, Hitchcock was fired as head coach.[6]

Philadelphia Flyers

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Hitchcock was quickly picked up in the 2002 off-season by his old team, the Philadelphia Flyers, who had just fired their head coach, Bill Barber, after an early exit from the playoffs.[7][8] Hitchcock brought much-needed discipline and direction to the Flyers and led them to a 45–24–13 record in his first season, losing in the Conference Semifinals. In Hitchcock's second season with the Flyers, they finished first in the Atlantic Division with a 40–21–15 record and advanced to the Conference Finals, losing to the eventual champion Tampa Bay Lightning in seven games.

In the 2006–07 NHL season, the Flyers got off to a 1–6–1 start over their first eight games, their worst start in 15 years. After a 9–1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres, management promised there would be some major changes to the organization. On October 22, 2006, the Flyers fired Hitchcock, and general manager Bobby Clarke stepped down.[9] On November 1, the Flyers assigned Hitchcock to be a pro scout for the club.[10]

Columbus Blue Jackets

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On November 22, 2006, Hitchcock and the Columbus Blue Jackets agreed to a three-year contract to become their new head coach.[11] He coached his first game for the Blue Jackets on November 24, against his former team, the Philadelphia Flyers, a game Columbus lost, 3–2.

On July 9, 2008, the Blue Jackets announced that they had signed Hitchcock to a three-year extension to remain as their head coach.[12] On February 19, 2009, the Blue Jackets earned Hitchcock his 500th career NHL win as a head coach by defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs. On April 8, 2009, Hitchcock secured the Blue Jackets' first-ever postseason appearance with a 4–3 shootout win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Their playoff appearance would be a short one as they were swept in the Conference Quarterfinals by the Detroit Red Wings.

On November 11, 2009, in a 9–1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings, Hitchcock became the 16th NHL coach to reach the 1,000-game milestone.[13] On February 3, 2010, the Blue Jackets relieved Hitchcock of his duties behind the bench and named assistant coach Claude Noël as the club's interim head coach.[14]

St. Louis Blues

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On November 6, 2011, the St. Louis Blues fired coach Davis Payne and hired Hitchcock in his place.[15] On June 20, 2012, Hitchcock won the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's best head coach.[16]

On February 12, 2015, Hitchcock earned his 693rd career regular season win in a 6–3 defeat of the Tampa Bay Lightning, passing Dick Irvin for sole possession of fourth place on the all-time coaching wins list.[17] On March 12, Hitchcock earned his 700th career win as head coach in a 1–0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.[18]

In the 2015–16 season, Hitchcock coached the Blues to the Conference Finals. Despite home ice advantage against the San Jose Sharks, the Blues were defeated in six games. On May 31, 2016, Hitchcock announced that he would retire from coaching at the end of the 2016–17 season.[19] However, Hitchcock did not finish his planned last season with St. Louis as on February 1, 2017, Hitchcock was fired by the Blues and was replaced by Mike Yeo.[20][21] Hitchcock was fired one game before tying Al Arbour's record (782) for third-most wins by an NHL head coach.[22]

Return to Dallas

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On April 13, 2017, Hitchcock was named as the head coach of the Dallas Stars for the second time.[23] On December 21, Hitchcock earned his 800th win as NHL head coach when the Stars defeated the Blackhawks 4–0.[24] On April 13, 2018, Hitchcock announced his retirement.[25]

Edmonton Oilers

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On November 20, 2018, Hitchcock came out of retirement and was named head coach of the Edmonton Oilers after Todd McLellan was relieved of his duties.[26] In early May 2019, it was announced that Hitchcock was dismissed and would not return.[27]

Head coaching record

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Team Year Regular season Postseason
G W L T OTL Pts Finish W L Win% Result
DAL 1995–96 43 15 23 5 — (35) 6th in Central — — — Missed playoffs
DAL 1996–97 82 48 26 8 — 104 1st in Central 3 4 .429 Lost in Conference quarterfinals (EDM)
DAL 1997–98 82 49 22 11 — 109 1st in Central 10 7 .588 Lost in Conference finals (DET)
DAL 1998–99 82 51 19 12 — 114 1st in Pacific 16 7 .696 Won Stanley Cup (BUF)
DAL 1999–00 82 43 23 10 6 102 1st in Pacific 14 9 .609 Lost in Stanley Cup Finals (NJD)
DAL 2000–01 82 48 24 8 2 106 1st in Pacific 4 6 .400 Lost in Conference semifinals (STL)
DAL 2001–02 50 23 17 6 4 (56) (fired) — — — —
PHI 2002–03 82 45 20 13 4 107 2nd in Atlantic 6 7 .462 Lost in Conference semifinals (OTT)
PHI 2003–04 82 40 21 15 6 101 1st in Atlantic 11 7 .611 Lost in Conference finals (TBL)
PHI 2005–06 82 45 26 — 11 101 2nd in Atlantic 2 4 .333 Lost in Conference quarterfinals (BUF)
PHI 2006–07 8 1 6 — 1 (3) (fired) — — — —
PHI total 254 131 73 28 22     19 18 .514  
CBJ 2006–07 62 28 29 — 5 (73) 4th in Central — — — Missed playoffs
CBJ 2007–08 82 34 36 — 12 80 4th in Central — — — Missed playoffs
CBJ 2008–09 82 41 31 — 10 92 4th in Central 0 4 .000 Lost in Conference quarterfinals (DET)
CBJ 2009–10 58 22 27 — 9 (53) (fired) — — — —
CBJ total 284 125 123 — 35     0 4 .000  
STL 2011–12 69 43 15 — 11 (97) 1st in Central 4 5 .444 Lost in Conference semifinals (LAK)
STL 2012–13 48 29 17 — 2 60 2nd in Central 2 4 .333 Lost in Conference quarterfinals (LAK)
STL 2013–14 82 52 23 — 7 111 2nd in Central 2 4 .333 Lost in first round (CHI)
STL 2014–15 82 51 24 — 7 109 1st in Central 2 4 .333 Lost in first round (MIN)
STL 2015–16 82 49 24 — 9 107 2nd in Central 10 10 .500 Lost in Conference finals (SJS)
STL 2016–17 50 24 21 — 5 (53) (fired) — — — —
STL total 413 248 124 — 41     20 27 .426  
DAL 2017–18 82 42 32 — 8 92 6th in Central — — — Missed playoffs
DAL total 585 319 186 60 20     47 33 .588  
EDM 2018–19 62 26 28 — 8 (60) 7th in Pacific — — — Missed playoffs
EDM total 62 26 28 — 8     — — —  
Total 1,598 849 534 88 127   8 division titles 86 82 .512 14 playoff appearances
1 Stanley Cup

References

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  1. ^ "Class of 2019 unveiled for Order of Hockey in Canada". Hockey Canada. January 30, 2019. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
  2. ^ Nicholas J. Cotsonika (June 21, 2023). "Barrasso, Lundqvist, Vernon voted to Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2023". NHL.com. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Elliott, Helene (March 29, 1996). "The Biggest Loser in Hockey : Dallas Star Coach Hitchcock Has Dropped 260 Pounds While Gaining the Respect of Many Around NHL". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  4. ^ "HHOF | 2023 Induction Celebration: Ken Hitchcock". Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  5. ^ "Gainey quits as Stars coach". Tampa Bay Times. January 9, 1996. Archived from the original on August 15, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  6. ^ "NHL - Stars fire Hitchcock; GM Gainey reassigned". ESPN.com. January 25, 2002. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  7. ^ "Ken Hitchcock Named Flyers Head Coach". Philadelphia Flyers. May 14, 2002. Archived from the original on August 4, 2002. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  8. ^ Panaccio, Tim (May 15, 2002). "Flyers Try New Direction". Philly.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2014. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  9. ^ "Flyers GM Clarke resigns; coach Hitchcock fired". ESPN.com. October 22, 2006. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  10. ^ "Flyers rehire Hitchcock as scout". ESPN.com. November 2, 2006. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  11. ^ "Blue Jackets hire Hitchcock as coach". ESPN.com. November 22, 2006. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  12. ^ "Hitchcock signs three-year extension as Blue Jackets' coach". ESPN.com. July 9, 2008. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  13. ^ "Kronwall, Abdelkader power Red Wings' rout of Blue Jackets". ESPN. November 11, 2009. Archived from the original on December 14, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  14. ^ "Blue Jackets fire Hitchcock as coach". ESPN.com. February 3, 2010. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  15. ^ Brough, Jason (November 6, 2011). "Blues fire Payne, hire Hitchcock". NBC Sports. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  16. ^ Halford, Mike (June 20, 2012). "Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock wins Jack Adams". NBC Sports. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  17. ^ "Hitchcock moves into 4th place on NHL coaching wins list as Blues beat Lightning 6-3". NHL.com. February 12, 2015. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  18. ^ Dadoun, Ryan (March 12, 2015). "Hitchcock becomes fourth coach to win 700 games as Elliott ties Blues shutout record". NBC Sports. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  19. ^ "Hitch says 2016-17 will be his last season". STLtoday.com. May 31, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
  20. ^ Pinkert, Chris (February 1, 2017). "Hitchcock relieved of duties, Yeo becomes head coach". NHL.com. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  21. ^ "Blues fire Hitchcock, put Yeo in charge". STLtoday.com. February 1, 2017. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  22. ^ "Failures by Blues cost coach Ken Hitchcock his job". NHL.com. February 1, 2017.
  23. ^ "Dallas Stars name Ken Hitchcock as head coach". NHL.com. April 13, 2017. Retrieved April 13, 2017.
  24. ^ Shapiro, Sean (December 21, 2017). "Stars give Hitchcock 800th win with shutout against Blackhawks". NHL.com. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  25. ^ "Stars head coach Ken Hitchcock announces retirement". NHL.com. April 13, 2018. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  26. ^ "RELEASE: Oilers name Ken Hitchcock head coach". NHL.com. November 20, 2018. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  27. ^ Emily Kaplan (May 7, 2019). "Oilers Hitchcock out as coach". ESPN. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
[edit]
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Head coach of the Dallas Stars
1996–2002
2017–2018 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers
2002–2006 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets
2006–2010 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Head coach of the St. Louis Blues
2011–2017 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Head coach of the Edmonton Oilers
2018–2019 		Succeeded by
Sporting positions
Preceded by Jack Adams Award winner
2012 		Succeeded by
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