The NHL Coaching Fraternity's Family Tree
by Derek Zona on Aug 18, 2011 6:30 AM MDT
in Miscellaneous
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PrintAfter laying out the lineage of the current crop of NHL General Managers, the next logical step was to root through the family trees of the current crop of NHL Head Coaches. To be honest, the chart doesn't represent the true intermingling of the coaching profession. I tried to connect the men who've worked together with red and blue lines to keep things legible, but I just ended up with something resembling graph paper, as drawn by Mondrian.
This is not a comprehensive chart by any means (I'm working on that beast), but it does trace the origins of each of the 30 active NHL coaches.
*Click to enlarge the chart below. Get the full-sized chart here. A yellow block indicates the start of the lineage that follows and each man in yellow is the head of their own line.
- There are a number of extremely famous and accomplished lines that have gone dormant in the last few years. Al Arbour, Dick Irvin, Sam Pollock, Glen Sather, and Fred Shero are all missing from the chart, though each of them have a significant number of assistant or minor league coaches still active. A couple of firings next year could mean the reactivation of some formidable lines. Those five lines account for more than 35 Stanley Cups.
- Harry Neale's influence is wide-ranging. Not only is he responsible for allowing Colin Campbell entrance to the old boys' club (and we're still dealing with it), but he can account for as many active head coaches as anyone else on the list.
- The Flyers' line, started by Mike Keenan, is bizarre. I'm not sure how Andy Murray escaped orbit, but he should thank his stars. Both Laviolette and Keenan had their cup wins away from Philadelphia.
- The most cups won by any active line is two: Marc Crawford, Bob Johnson, Mike Keenan, and Rick Dudley. Except for the latter, they all won cups themselves.
- I have an inkling that Guy Boucher is going to greatly expand Jean Pronovost's lineage.
If I've overlooked any connections or you know of a better origin for any of the men on the chart, please let me know in the comments.
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This stuff is really interesting, so thanks for creating it Derek. I’m interested in what criteria you’ve used to start lines. Alain Vigneault, for example, was a head coach in the QMJHL for several years before becoming an assistant in the NHL, so because of that he doesn’t get his own line. But a guy like Don Hay, who came to the NHL as a head coach, also doesn’t get his own line because he was an assistant in junior. Seems like that’s a bit weird, and that one of them should start his own line (probably Vigneault).
Also, Peter DeBoer first became an assistant coach in the OHL under Paul Maurice.
The biggest fanana of the Havana Bananas.
by Scott Reynolds on Aug 18, 2011 10:38 AM MDT reply actions
Also, Peter DeBoer first became an assistant coach in the OHL under Paul Maurice.
Thanks!
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
An interesting look at leadership over the last while !
How dificult would it be to define or illustrate the various coaching styles or significant methodology or philosophical differences?
As a regular viewer/reader I have often wondered about that. When one hears about one coach out coaching the other, how does that really work ? I think I get the part about line matching but I assume there is more to it than that. It’s not something that comes out in the normal course of things. Maybe because very few actually understand enough to comment (in general that usually not a reason;) for most comentators). Can’t seem to think of a way to say this stuff without sounding like a class A dummy but what the hell. For example, everyone in Oil country knows we have a terrible PP but why can’t it get better by training ? Or do these guys just go out there and bumble around any old way until someone scores or PP is over ? This is just one aspect of the game where coaching must be different
I think there are a million questions that when answered could help to improve things if one actually tried to understand the process.
We’ll do what we can to address this throughout the season
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
How does Paul McLean go under Hitchcock? Near as I can tell, he’s either his own thing, or maybe under Mike Babcock. Whose tree, by the way, should also grow pretty large, between him and McLellan (and potentially McLean).
http://sacrificethebody.blogspot.com/
Sacrifice the Body - Examining the NHL through statistical analysis, reasoned thought, and blind conjecture.
You’re right – he’s not under Hitchcock – that’s a mistake on my part. If I remember correctly, I think I read that Keenan got him his first job. I’ll correct it in the master version.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
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