Mike Keenan is a former professional ice hockey player and coach who had a successful career in the National Hockey League (NHL). He began his coaching career in the minor leagues before moving up to the NHL in the early 1980s. Keenan quickly gained a reputation as a tough and demanding coach who was not afraid to make bold moves to win games.
Keenan's first NHL coaching job was with the Philadelphia Flyers in 1984. He led the team to the Stanley Cup Finals in his first season, but they lost to the Edmonton Oilers. Keenan continued to coach the Flyers for several more seasons, but they never made it back to the Finals under his leadership.
In 1988, Keenan moved on to coach the Chicago Blackhawks. He had a successful tenure with the team, leading them to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1992. However, they lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins in a four-game sweep. Keenan's time in Chicago was marked by controversy, as he clashed with several players and management.
After leaving the Blackhawks, Keenan coached several other NHL teams, including the New York Rangers, St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks, Boston Bruins, and Calgary Flames. He had varying degrees of success with each team, but never won another Stanley Cup.
Keenan was known for his intense coaching style, which often put him at odds with players and management. He was not afraid to make bold moves, such as benching star players or making controversial trades, in order to win games. This approach earned him the nickname "Iron Mike."
In addition to his coaching career, Keenan also played professional hockey for several years. He played in the minor leagues and in Europe before retiring in 1979. He then began his coaching career, starting in the minor leagues before moving up to the NHL.
Overall, Mike Keenan had a successful career as a coach in the NHL. He won one Stanley Cup with the Rangers in 1994 and led several other teams to the Finals. However, his coaching style was often controversial and he had a reputation for being difficult to work with. Despite this, Keenan remains one of the most successful coaches in NHL history.
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