Paul Holmgren is a former professional ice hockey player and coach who had a successful career in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was born on December 2, 1955, in St. Paul, Minnesota, and grew up playing hockey in the area. Holmgren was a standout player in high school and went on to play college hockey at the University of Minnesota.
After college, Holmgren was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the sixth round of the 1975 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut with the Flyers during the 1975-76 season and quickly established himself as a tough, physical player who could also contribute offensively. Holmgren played for the Flyers for six seasons, helping the team win two Stanley Cup championships in 1974 and 1975.
In 1981, Holmgren was traded to the Minnesota North Stars, where he played for two seasons before being traded again to the Hartford Whalers. He played for the Whalers for three seasons before retiring as a player in 1985.
After retiring, Holmgren began his coaching career, starting as an assistant coach with the Whalers in 1985. He later served as head coach of the Whalers from 1988 to 1992, leading the team to the playoffs in his first season. Holmgren also served as head coach of the Flyers from 1988 to 1991, leading the team to the playoffs in each of his three seasons.
In 1992, Holmgren left coaching to become the general manager of the Hartford Whalers. He held this position until 1995, when he was named general manager of the Philadelphia Flyers. Holmgren served as general manager of the Flyers for nine seasons, during which time he helped build the team into a perennial playoff contender. He also served as interim head coach of the Flyers for part of the 1998-99 season.
In 2006, Holmgren was named assistant general manager of the Flyers, a position he held until 2014. During this time, he played a key role in the team's success, helping to build a roster that reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 2010 and made the playoffs in six of his eight seasons as assistant general manager.
Overall, Paul Holmgren had a successful career in the NHL as both a player and a coach. He was known for his toughness and physical play on the ice, as well as his ability to build successful teams as a coach and general manager. Today, he is remembered as one of the most influential figures in the history of the Philadelphia Flyers.
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