Curt Fraser is a former professional ice hockey player and coach. He was born on January 12, 1958, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and grew up in western Canada. Fraser began his hockey career in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Victoria Cougars in 1976. He played for several teams in the WHL before being drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in 1978.
Fraser played for the Canucks for four seasons before being traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in 1983. He played for the Blackhawks for six seasons and was known for his physical play and leadership on the ice. Fraser was also a skilled scorer, scoring 29 goals in the 1985-86 season.
After his playing career, Fraser became a coach. He began his coaching career in the International Hockey League (IHL) with the Milwaukee Admirals in 1993. He then moved on to coach the Orlando Solar Bears in the IHL, leading them to the Turner Cup championship in 2001.
Fraser also coached in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was an assistant coach for the St. Louis Blues from 1998 to 2000 before becoming the head coach of the Atlanta Thrashers in 1999. Fraser coached the Thrashers for three seasons, leading them to their first playoff appearance in 2007.
Fraser also coached internationally, leading the Belarus national team at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. He also coached the KHL's Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk in Russia from 2011 to 2013.
Throughout his career, Fraser was known for his passion for the game and his ability to motivate his players. He was also known for his dedication to the sport, often working long hours to improve his team's performance.
In addition to his coaching career, Fraser has also been involved in hockey broadcasting. He has worked as a color commentator for NHL games on NBC and as a studio analyst for TSN in Canada.
Overall, Curt Fraser had a successful career in hockey as both a player and coach. He was known for his leadership, physical play, and dedication to the sport.
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