Some say retirement is easy to comprehend and life is easy to deal with, being your own person and doing what you want, but why is it players turn to coaching?
Kevin grew up in Toronto area and is the Son of World Hockey Association Houston Aeros Coach Bill Dineen, so his makings of a Coach seem simple.
Bill spent six (6) years behind the bench of the Aeros where he guided the team to two (2) championships and coached Mr. Hockey Gordie Howe for four (4) years. Bill also coached the Flyers in 1991-92 and was the oldest rookie coach in the history of the NHL.
Following this he was the Head Coach of the Adirondack Red Wings of the AHL, which is the farm team for Detroit.
When Hockey Canada was in the search for a Head Coach for the Women’s Program, they need look no farther, than Kevin’s impressive resume.
Hockey Canada made it official and named Kevin Dineen as the head coach of Canada’s National Women’s Team for the remainder of the 2013-14 season, including the 2014 Olympic Winter Games.
Kevin Dineen (50) was most recently head coach of the NHL’s Florida Panthers for parts of three seasons (2011-13), leading the Panthers to the first Southeast Division title in franchise history in 2011-12.
He was also head coach of the AHL’s Portland Pirates for six seasons (2005-11), winning the AHL’s coach of the year award in 2005-06.
As a player, the Toronto, Ont., native represented Canada on six occasions, winning a silver medal at the IIHF World Championship in 1985 and 1989, and winning the Canada Cup in 1987.
He also played in the world championship in 1987 and 1993, and at the 1984 Olympic Winter Games so has an understanding of what the Olympics’ mean to the game.
Scott Smith, Hockey Canada’s chief operating officer told the media attending “We’re very excited that Kevin will join the coaching staff of Canada’s National Women’s Team and bring his unique perspective to the dressing room”.
He continued “Kevin has had success in both the AHL and NHL levels of the game and we are looking forward to him being a part of the staff for the final push towards Sochi.”
“This is a critical time for Canada’s National Women’s Team with the start of the Olympics less than two months away, and we feel Kevin is a terrific fit with our staff as we get ready for Sochi,” said Melody Davidson, general manager of female national teams with Hockey Canada. “His experience, both on the ice and behind the bench, will be invaluable over the coming weeks.”
Dineen will work with assistant coaches Danielle Goyette and Lisa Haley, along with Davidson, to finalize Canada’s roster for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games over the coming weeks.
Twenty-four (24) players remain in centralization – three (3) goaltenders, seven (7) defencemen and 14 forwards. Canada’s final roster for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games will include 21 players, including three (3) goaltenders.
Canada’s National Women’s Team has a slate of Midget Series and International games over the coming months, leading up to the 2014 Olympic Winter Games.
The Olympics kick-off in Sochi Russia Feb. 6 and Canada opens its Olympic schedule Feb. 8 against Switzerland.
