Ken Hitchcock Coach and professional scout in the National Hockey League Date of Birth: 17.12.1951 Country: Canada

1. Biography of Ken Hitchcock
2. Coaching Career
3. International and NHL Coaching
4. Return to Columbus and International Success

Biography of Ken Hitchcock

Ken Hitchcock, also known as 'Hitch', is a coach and professional scout in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was born on December 17, 1951, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Coaching Career

Hitchcock began his coaching career during the 1984-85 season as the coach of the Kamloops Blazers in the Western Hockey League (WHL). He led the team to victory in the WHL championship in the 1985-86 and 1989-90 seasons. During his six seasons with the Blazers, Hitchcock accumulated a record of 291-115-15.

In 1990, Hitchcock was named the Best Junior Hockey Coach in Canada. He then moved on to become an assistant coach for the Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL for three seasons.

International and NHL Coaching

After his time with the Flyers, Hitchcock joined the Kalamazoo Wings in the International Hockey League (IHL) in 1993. He later became the head coach of the Dallas Stars in the NHL in 1996. Under Hitchcock's leadership, the Stars reached the playoffs and eventually won the Stanley Cup in the 1998-99 season.

In the following season, the Stars made it to the Stanley Cup Finals but lost to the New Jersey Devils. Hitchcock left the Stars in the middle of the 2001-02 season due to conflicts with players and management.

Hitchcock then returned to the Philadelphia Flyers as the head coach for three seasons. However, a poor start to the 2006-07 season led to his firing, but he remained with the team as a scout.

Return to Columbus and International Success

In November 2006, Hitchcock signed a three-year agreement to become the head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets. The team did not make the playoffs in the next two seasons and were eliminated in the first round during the 2008-09 season. Hitchcock was relieved of his duties on February 3, 2010.

Throughout his career, Hitchcock also served as an assistant coach for the Canadian national team in the 2002 and 2006 Winter Olympics, as well as the 2002 World Championship. He was the head coach of the Canadian national team in the 2008 World Championship.

Overall, Ken Hitchcock has had a successful coaching career, with multiple championship wins and a reputation for his strategic coaching style.