Ken Hitchcock is a Canadian ice hockey coach who has had a long and successful career in the sport. He began his coaching career in the Western Hockey League in the 1980s, before moving on to coach in the International Hockey League and the American Hockey League.
In 1995, Hitchcock was hired as the head coach of the Dallas Stars, where he led the team to a Stanley Cup championship in 1999. He remained with the Stars until 2002, when he was fired after a disappointing season.
Hitchcock then moved on to coach the Philadelphia Flyers, where he had a successful tenure from 2002 to 2006. He led the team to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2004, but they ultimately lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
After leaving the Flyers, Hitchcock coached the Columbus Blue Jackets for several seasons before returning to the Stars in 2011. He remained with the team until 2017, when he was fired after a disappointing start to the season.
In 2017, Hitchcock was hired as the head coach of the Edmonton Oilers, where he remained until 2019. During his time with the Oilers, he helped to develop young talent like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, but the team struggled to make the playoffs.
Throughout his career, Hitchcock has been known for his defensive-minded coaching style and his ability to get the most out of his players. He has won numerous awards and accolades, including the Jack Adams Award for NHL Coach of the Year in 2012.
Overall, Ken Hitchcock has had a long and successful career in ice hockey coaching, with a Stanley Cup championship and numerous other accomplishments to his name.
🏒