Bobby Francis is a former professional ice hockey player and coach. He was born on January 10, 1963, in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada. Francis began his hockey career in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Victoria Cougars in 1981. He played for the Cougars for two seasons before being drafted by the Hartford Whalers in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft.
Francis made his NHL debut with the Whalers in the 1984-85 season. He played for the Whalers for four seasons before being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1988. Francis played for the Penguins for two seasons before being traded to the Minnesota North Stars in 1990. He played for the North Stars for one season before being traded back to the Whalers in 1991.
Francis played for the Whalers for two more seasons before being traded to the Phoenix Coyotes in 1993. He played for the Coyotes for three seasons before being traded to the New York Islanders in 1996. Francis played for the Islanders for one season before being traded back to the Coyotes in 1997. He played for the Coyotes for one more season before retiring from professional hockey in 1998.
After retiring from playing, Francis began his coaching career. He started as an assistant coach for the Phoenix Coyotes in 1998. He was promoted to head coach in 2002 and coached the Coyotes for two seasons. Francis then became an assistant coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2004. He coached the Penguins for one season before being hired as the head coach of the Carolina Hurricanes in 2005.
Francis coached the Hurricanes for two seasons before being fired in 2008. He then became an assistant coach for the Calgary Flames in 2009. Francis coached the Flames for two seasons before being hired as the head coach of the ECHL's Wheeling Nailers in 2011. He coached the Nailers for one season before being hired as the head coach of the AHL's San Antonio Rampage in 2012.
Francis coached the Rampage for one season before being hired as the head coach of the ECHL's Alaska Aces in 2013. He coached the Aces for two seasons before retiring from coaching in 2015. Francis finished his coaching career with a record of 276 wins, 223 losses, and 59 ties.
Throughout his hockey career, Francis was known for his defensive play and leadership skills. He was a two-time winner of the NHL's Frank J. Selke Trophy, which is awarded to the league's best defensive forward. He was also a finalist for the award three other times. Francis was a respected player and coach in the hockey community and is remembered as a dedicated and hardworking individual.
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