Curt Giles was a professional ice hockey player who played as a defenseman for several teams in the National Hockey League (NHL) and the World Hockey Association (WHA). He was born on November 30, 1958, in The Pas, Manitoba, Canada.
Giles began his professional career in 1977 when he was drafted by the Minnesota North Stars in the second round of the NHL Entry Draft. He played for the North Stars for six seasons, from 1979 to 1985, and was known for his solid defensive play and leadership on the ice. During his time with the North Stars, Giles helped the team reach the Stanley Cup Finals in 1981, where they lost to the New York Islanders.
In 1985, Giles was traded to the New York Rangers, where he played for two seasons before being traded again to the St. Louis Blues in 1987. He played for the Blues for one season before being traded to the Detroit Red Wings in 1988. Giles played for the Red Wings for two seasons before retiring from professional hockey in 1990.
During his career, Giles was known for his strong defensive play and his ability to read the game well. He was also a skilled penalty killer and was often used in key defensive situations. Giles was a two-time NHL All-Star, in 1981 and 1982, and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 1979.
After retiring from professional hockey, Giles became a coach and worked with several teams in the minor leagues and the NHL. He was an assistant coach with the Minnesota North Stars from 1990 to 1993 and was the head coach of the International Hockey League's San Francisco Spiders from 1995 to 1996. Giles also coached the United States men's national ice hockey team at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan.
In addition to his coaching career, Giles has been involved in youth hockey development and has worked with several organizations to promote the sport. He has also been inducted into several halls of fame, including the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame and the University of Minnesota Athletics Hall of Fame.
Overall, Curt Giles had a successful career as a professional ice hockey player and coach. He was known for his strong defensive play and leadership on the ice and has continued to be involved in the sport through coaching and development work.
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