Bill Dineen, a two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Detroit Red Wings who later coached the Philadelphia Flyers and had three sons play in the NHL, died Saturday in Lake George, New York. He was 84.
“Bill Dineen devoted his career to our sport, winning two Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings, shaping the lives of numerous players during decades of coaching and crafting a hockey legacy that carries on today through his sons,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. “The National Hockey League sends heartfelt condolences to the Dineen family on the passing of this distinguished and greatly respected individual.”
Dineen also coached two Calder Cup-winning teams in the American Hockey League and is a member of the AHL Hall of Fame.
“During his time as a player and coach, and in the values he instilled in his family, Bill Dineen created a legacy of greatness in the American Hockey League that still resonates today,” said David Andrews, AHL president and chief executive officer. “Our deepest condolences go out to the entire Dineen family at this time.”
Flyers remember Bill Dineen
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Dineen, born Sept. 18, 1932, in Arvida, Quebec, joined the Red Wings as a 21-year-old rookie in 1953-54 and had his best NHL season with 17 goals and 25 points, then played 12 games during Detroit’s run to the Cup. He was part of Detroit’s 1955 Cup-winning team, finishing the regular season with 10 goals and 19 points.
The Red Wings traded Dineen to the Chicago Blackhawks on Dec. 17, 1957. His last NHL season was 1957-58, but he spent another 13 seasons in the American Hockey League and the Western Hockey League before retiring in 1971
The Houston Aeros of the World Hockey Association hired Dineen as their coach in 1972. One year later, Gordie Howe and his sons Mark and Marty joined the Aeros, and Dineen coached Houston to back-to-back WHA championships in 1973 and 1974. Dineen spent six seasons with the Aeros and one with the New England Whalers before four WHA teams entered the NHL in 1979.
Dneen became coach of the AHL’s Adirondack Red Wings in 1983 and led them to the Calder Cup in 1986 and 1989. He returned to the NHL when the Flyers hired him as their coach on Dec. 4, 1991. He was fired on May 24, 1993, after Philadelphia went 60-60-20.
Three of his sons, Kevin, Gord and Peter, played in the NHL. Kevin, who played for his father with Philadelphia from 1991-93, scored 355 goals in 1,188 regular-season games.
“Wonderful hockey family,” said Flyers president Paul Holmgren, who was replaced by Dineen as coach in 1991. “His boys are scattered all over the map, and they’re all good guys just like Billy. Just a tremendous hockey family.
(Photo From NHL.com)
