Brian ‘Killer’ Kilrea
When the CHL’s annual award for Coach of the Year is named after you, that’s a pretty good indicator that you had a pretty decent career behind the bench. Brian Kilrea certainly had that. He is the winningest coach in CHL history, a 5-time OHL coach of the year, 2-time Memorial Cup winner, 3-time OHL champion and a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. And what was the secret to his success? He was a great judge of character and a builder of character. 15 and 16 year old boys came to Ottawa thinking they would learn to become better hockey players, and they did, but what “Killer” really gave them was a solid foundation upon which they could become good players and good citizens. Many former players that never made it to the NHL did make it as businessmen, police officers, fire fighters, accountants, real estate executives and most other careers you can think of. Killer’s hockey lessons were also life lessons … focus, teamwork, goal setting, tenacity, discipline, respect for others, giving back to the community and having fun. To a man, members of the 67’s alumni will tell you they love the guy and credit him for much of their own success in life.
Killer had almost 40-years with the 67’s as a coach and then coach/GM, before “retiring” and becoming Senior Advisor, Hockey Operations. That means over one-thousand kids came through the system on his watch. He knew when to give them a pat on the back or a kick in the pants (figuratively speaking). He was respected by parents, billet families, fans, fellow coaches, staff, media and pretty well anybody he came into contact with. Even now, he “works” at Chances R Restaurant on Thursdays and Fridays between 11 AM and 2 PM, meeting and greeting patrons and sharing stories. He is a 67’s ambassador at large, and those who are lucky enough to run into him and share a story or two, come away feeling better about themselves.
67’s Head Coach Dave Cameron honoured with Brian Kilrea Award
The story of the 2022-23 Ottawa 67’s is one that will never be forgotten.
The roster was young, beginning the season with eight rookies, and three more 2005-born players comprising the core of the roster. Those players took on massive roles at the end of the season, with a defensive pairing of Frankie Marrelli and Henry Mews eating up big minutes, and Luca Pinelli leading the way in playoff scoring.
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Happy 86th Birthday Brian Kilrea
Killer had almost 40-years with the 67’s as a coach and then coach/GM, before “retiring” and becoming Senior Advisor, Hockey Operations.
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All about Brian Kilrea
As the personification of Canadian junior hockey excellence, few things are as synonymous as the Ottawa 67’s and Brian Kilrea.
Kilrea chronicles life and hockey
If any of Brian Kilrea’s teachers at Lady Evelyn and Glashan public schools or Lisgar Collegiate were still around, they wouldn’t believe it was their old student.
Killer Returns: A Brian Kilrea Tribute
The hockey hall of fame served as head coach of the 67’s for 33 seasons and led the 67’s to 2 Memorial Cup victories in 1984 and 1999. “Killer” is the winningest coach in junior hockey history.
Killer Celebrates his 80th at TD Place
Kilrea said it will be an honour to coach at TD Place and that it means a lot to be back at Lansdowne where he spent close to 40 years and head coach and GM.
1967-1977: The Start of Something Special
On February 16, 1967 the team not only had Kilrea as a coach, but also featured multiple future NHL players, including: Bobby Smith, Tim Higgins, Doug Wilson, Steve Payne, and Ed Hospodar.
