Barry Trotz is a former professional ice hockey player and current coach who has had a successful career in the National Hockey League (NHL). Trotz was born on July 15, 1962, in Dauphin, Manitoba, Canada. He began his hockey career as a player in the Western Hockey League (WHL) in the early 1980s, playing for the Regina Pats and the Portland Winterhawks.
Trotz's playing career was not particularly notable, and he retired from playing in 1987. However, he quickly transitioned into coaching, starting as an assistant coach for the Winterhawks in 1987. He then moved on to coach in the American Hockey League (AHL) and the International Hockey League (IHL) before finally getting his first NHL coaching job in 1998 with the Nashville Predators.
Trotz spent 15 seasons as the head coach of the Predators, leading them to the playoffs seven times and winning the Jack Adams Award for NHL Coach of the Year in 2011-12. Despite his success, Trotz was let go by the Predators in 2014 and quickly found a new job with the Washington Capitals.
Trotz spent four seasons as the head coach of the Capitals, leading them to the playoffs every year and winning the Stanley Cup in 2018. However, despite his success, Trotz and the Capitals were unable to come to terms on a new contract after the 2017-18 season, and Trotz left the team.
Trotz then took over as the head coach of the New York Islanders, where he has been since 2018. In his first season with the Islanders, Trotz led the team to the playoffs and was once again a finalist for the Jack Adams Award.
Throughout his coaching career, Trotz has been known for his defensive-minded approach and his ability to get the most out of his players. He is widely respected around the NHL and is considered one of the best coaches in the league.
In addition to his coaching career, Trotz has also been involved in various charitable endeavors, including the 365 Pediatric Cancer Fund, which he founded in Nashville to support children with cancer and their families.
Overall, Barry Trotz has had a long and successful career in the NHL, both as a player and a coach. He has won numerous awards and led his teams to the playoffs on multiple occasions. Despite his success, Trotz remains humble and focused on helping his players succeed both on and off the ice.
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