Harry James Sinden General Manager, Coach and President of the Boston Bruins Date of Birth: 14.09.1932 Country: USA

1. Harry James Sinden: Biography of a Hockey Legend
2. Early Career
3. Playing and Coaching
4. Coaching and Management with the Boston Bruins
5. Return to the Boston Bruins

Harry James Sinden: Biography of a Hockey Legend

Harry James Sinden is a former professional hockey player, coach, and executive. He is best known for his long and successful tenure with the Boston Bruins in the National Hockey League (NHL). Sinden was born on September 14, 1932, in Ontario, Canada.

Early Career

Sinden began his sporting career as a defenseman for the Toronto Marlboro team in the Ontario Hockey Association. He then moved on to play for the Oshawa Generals in the Ontario Hockey Association, Junior division. Sinden played for Oshawa from 1949 to 1953. He later joined the Whitby Dunlops, a senior division team, where he served as captain and won the Allan Cup in 1957. Sinden also represented Canada at the World Championships in 1958, where the team emerged victorious.

Playing and Coaching

In 1960, Sinden earned a silver medal as a member of the Canadian Olympic team. He played for the Kitchener-Waterloo Dutchmen, who were loaned to strengthen the core of the national team. Sinden then had brief stints with the Hull-Ottawa Canadiens in the Eastern Professional Hockey League. It was during his time with the Hull-Ottawa Canadiens that he crossed paths with Lynn Patrick, the General Manager of the Boston Bruins.

Sinden was hired by the Boston Bruins as a playing assistant coach for their affiliate team, the Kingston Frontenacs. In the 1961-62 season, he became the first All-Star player from the Frontenacs. The following year, Sinden was named the league's Most Valuable Player. After the league folded, the team became the Minneapolis Bruins in the Central Hockey League, and Sinden continued as a playing coach. The team was later renamed the Oklahoma City Blazers, and it was during the 1965-66 season that Sinden decided to retire as a player.

Coaching and Management with the Boston Bruins

In May 1966, Sinden joined the Boston Bruins as their head coach, becoming the youngest coach in the league at the age of 33. The team was also one of the youngest in the league at the time. In his first season, the Bruins finished with the worst record in the league, but they soon turned things around.

In the following years, the Bruins acquired players like Bobby Orr and Phil Esposito, leading to their first Stanley Cup victory in 29 years during the 1969-70 season. Despite the success on the ice, Sinden's relationship with the team's management deteriorated. At the age of 37, he announced his departure from the team just days after their Stanley Cup win. Due to the terms of his contract, Sinden was not allowed to join another team for at least a year and had to find work outside of hockey.

Return to the Boston Bruins

Sinden briefly worked in the construction industry in Rochester, New York, before returning to the Boston Bruins. He initially served as a coach and eventually became the team's general manager. Sinden held this position for 28 years, during which the Bruins experienced continued success.

Currently, Sinden serves as a senior advisor to the head of the Bruins organization and is a member of the selection committee for the Hockey Hall of Fame. His contributions to the sport, both as a player and executive, have solidified his place in hockey history.