Kevin Dineen is a former professional ice hockey player and coach who had a successful career in the National Hockey League (NHL) and international competitions. He was born on October 28, 1963, in Quebec City, Canada, and grew up in a family of hockey players. His father, Bill Dineen, was a former NHL player and coach, and his brothers, Gord and Peter, also played professional hockey.
Dineen began his hockey career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Brantford Alexanders in 1981. He was drafted by the Hartford Whalers in 1982 and made his NHL debut in the 1984-85 season. Dineen played for the Whalers for 10 seasons and was the team's captain for six years. He was known for his physical play, leadership, and scoring ability, and was a fan favorite in Hartford.
In 1995, Dineen was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers, where he played for two seasons before being traded to the Ottawa Senators. He finished his NHL career with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2002. Dineen played in 1,188 NHL games, scoring 355 goals and 405 assists for a total of 760 points. He was also a three-time NHL All-Star and represented Canada in international competitions, winning a gold medal at the 1984 Winter Olympics and a silver medal at the 1985 World Championships.
After retiring as a player, Dineen became a coach and worked in various roles in the NHL and international hockey. He began his coaching career as an assistant coach with the AHL's Portland Pirates in 2005 and was promoted to head coach the following year. Dineen led the Pirates to the Calder Cup Finals in 2006 and was named the AHL Coach of the Year in 2008.
In 2011, Dineen was hired as the head coach of the Florida Panthers, where he coached for three seasons. He led the Panthers to their first playoff appearance in 12 years in 2012 and was a finalist for the NHL's Jack Adams Award for Coach of the Year. Dineen was fired by the Panthers in 2013 and was hired as an assistant coach with the Chicago Blackhawks the following year. He won his first Stanley Cup as a coach with the Blackhawks in 2015.
Dineen has also coached internationally, serving as the head coach of the Canadian women's national team from 2013 to 2017. He led the team to a gold medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics and a silver medal at the 2017 World Championships. Dineen is currently an assistant coach with the San Diego Gulls of the AHL.
Overall, Kevin Dineen had a successful hockey career as a player and coach, earning accolades and respect from fans and colleagues alike. He was known for his passion, work ethic, and dedication to the sport, and his legacy continues to inspire future generations of hockey players and coaches.
🏒