WHL Alumni Ken Hitchcock to be recognized with Order of Hockey in Canada

After four decades behind the bench, Western Hockey League Alumni Ken Hitchcock has been named the recipient of one of the greatest honours in Canadian hockey.

Recognized for his outstanding contributions and service to the growth and development of the sport of hockey in Canada, Hitchcock was announced as one of three Distinguished Honourees of the Order of Hockey in Canada for 2019.

Along with Canadian Women’s National Team coach Jayna Hefford as well as University of Calgary and Canadian Olympic coach George Kingston, Hitchcock will be recognized at the Hockey Canada Foundation Gala and Golf in Edmonton, Alta. on June 17-18, 2019.

The Edmonton-native began his coaching career in Sherwood Park, Alta. and the Edmonton area before becoming one of the most-successful coaches in franchise history for the Kamloops Blazers. Joining the Blazers’ in the 1984-85 season, Hitchcock had an immediate impact, winning four consecutive division titles from 1984-88 and two WHL Championships in the 1985-86 and 1989-90 seasons.

Hitchcock’s coaching and mentorship abilities shone throughout the league. Hitchcock was named WHL Coach of the Year twice, once in 1987 and again in 1990. He also received the Sofina Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award from the Canadian Hockey League in 1990, his final year of coaching with the Blazers. In six seasons, Hitchcock recorded a 291-125-15 record, which stands up as the third-best winning percentage in WHL coaching history.

During his successful campaigns with the Blazers’, Hitchcock became the assistant coach for Team Canada in the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championship in 1988. Winning gold for the first time with Team Canada was just the beginning of his journey with the national organization.

In 1990, Hitchcock left the WHL to pursue a coaching career in the National Hockey League. Beginning with the Philadelphia Flyers, Hitchcock made his mark in the league, eventually becoming the third-winningest coach in NHL history with 837 wins, spending time with the Flyers, Dallas Stars, Columbus Blue Jackets, St. Louis Blues, and Edmonton Oilers.

Making the jump to the Stars’ organization in 1995, Hitchcock improved the teams’ results little-by-little each year until 1999 where they won the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history with a 2-1 triple-overtime victory against the Buffalo Sabres. The following year, Hitchcock led the Stars back to the Stanley Cup Finals, but fell to the New Jersey Devils.

Making the playoffs in 14 seasons, Hitchcock reached the Conference Finals five times, and the Stanley Cup Finals twice. Announcing his retirement as head coach from the Stars’ organization in April 2018, Hitchcock was slated to remain with the organization as a consultant, until recently coming out of retirement to join the Edmonton Oilers this past November. The appeal of coaching in his hometown was enough to draw the veteran out of retirement and back to the bench.

In the midst of his prosperous NHL career, Hitchcock served on Canada’s coaching staff for four Olympic Winter Games. Winning at the 2002 Salt Lake City, 2010 Vancouver and 2014 Sochi Olympic Winter Games, Hitchcock’s contribution to Hockey Canada was easily identifiable, making him a strong candidate for the Order of Hockey in Canada. To add to his impressive record, Hitchcock also won a World Cup title in 2004 and served as head coach at a pair of IIHF World Championships in 2008 and 2011.

“As players and coaches, this group of honourees has proudly represented Canada on some of the biggest stages in the game,” said Tom Renney, CEO of Hockey Canada. “To be recognized as a Distinguished Honouree of the Order of Hockey in Canada is one of the most prestigious accomplishments one can receive, and this year’s honourees are certainly well-deserving. On behalf of my colleagues at Hockey Canada, the Order of Hockey in Canada selection committee and our board members, I would like to congratulate Jayna, Ken and George on this achievement, and we look forward to celebrating with them in June.”

Since 2012, the Order of Hockey in Canada has recognized 24 honourees: Mike Babcock (2018); Jean Béliveau (2012); Scotty Bowman (2017); David Branch (2016); Cassie Campbell-Pascall (2012); Clare Drake (2014); Danielle Goyette (2018); Jim Gregory (2015); Wayne Gretzky (2012); Geraldine Heaney (2016); Paul Henderson (2013); Gordie Howe (2012); Dave King (2013); Mario Lemieux (2016); Mark Messier (2013); Bob Nicholson (2016); Pat Quinn (2015); Gordon Renwick (2012); France St-Louis (2014); Serge Savard (2015); Ryan Smyth (2018); and Steve Yzerman (2014).

A selection committee of 12 members – appointed by the Order of Hockey in Canada executive committee, established by Hockey Canada – is tasked with nominating and selecting, via secret ballot, the annual recipients of the Order of Hockey in Canada. The committee members represent a cross-section of individuals with great and varied experience around the game of hockey in Canada, including members of the media and hockey administration.