Dave King is a Canadian ice hockey coach who has had a long and successful career in the sport. He began his coaching career in the 1970s, working with various teams in the Canadian junior leagues. In the 1980s, he moved up to coaching in the professional ranks, working with teams in the International Hockey League and the American Hockey League.
King's big break came in 1982, when he was hired as an assistant coach for the Canadian national team. He quickly proved himself to be a skilled and innovative coach, helping Canada win the silver medal at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo. He continued to work with the national team throughout the 1980s and 1990s, helping them win numerous medals at international tournaments.
In addition to his work with the national team, King also coached in the NHL for several seasons. He began his NHL coaching career with the Calgary Flames in 1992, leading the team to the playoffs in his first season. He later coached the Montreal Canadiens and the Columbus Blue Jackets, but was never able to replicate the success he had with the Flames.
Despite his mixed success in the NHL, King remained highly respected in the hockey world for his innovative coaching techniques and his ability to develop young players. He was particularly known for his work with goaltenders, and was credited with helping to develop several top NHL netminders.
In the early 2000s, King shifted his focus to coaching in Europe. He spent several seasons coaching in Germany, Switzerland, and Russia, and was highly successful in each of these leagues. He also continued to work with the Canadian national team, helping them win gold medals at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey and the 2005 IIHF World Championships.
Throughout his career, King was known for his intense focus and attention to detail. He was a demanding coach who expected a lot from his players, but was also highly respected for his ability to get the best out of them. He was also known for his innovative coaching techniques, and was one of the first coaches to use video analysis extensively in his coaching.
Today, King is retired from coaching, but remains active in the hockey world as a consultant and analyst. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in Canadian hockey history, and his innovative coaching techniques continue to influence the sport to this day.
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