Despite not working in the NHL since the 2008-09 season, Mike Keenan remains a well-known name in the hockey world. Keenan has a long list of accolades as an NHL coach including a Stanley Cup with the New York Rangers in 1994, and remains fifth on the list of most playoff coaching wins in NHL history. Now comes a massive change for the 74-year-old.
Keenan himself took to his X account to note that he is no longer the head coach of the Italian men's hockey team, a position he's held since October of 2022, after undergoing major surgery.
Keenan's legacy as an NHL coach is filled with controversy. His inability to maintain relationships with players and team organizations led to several abrupt firings and resignations from NHL teams. Besides the Rangers, he also held the head coach's positions with the Philadelphia Flyers, Chicago Blackhawks, St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks, Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers. After leaving the NHL, he won a Gagarin Cup with the KHL's Metallurg Magnitogorsk in 2014.
In 2018, Keenan underwent treatment for prostate cancer, from which he a made a full recovery.
POLL | ||
7 JUILLET | 193 ANSWERS Legendary coach Mike Keenan makes major announcement regarding his career Are you surprised that Mike Keenan hasn't coached in the NHL since 2009? | ||
Yes | 69 | 35.8 % |
No | 118 | 61.1 % |
Not sure | 6 | 3.1 % |
List of polls |