Bill Dineen was a Canadian ice hockey player and coach who had a successful career in both the National Hockey League (NHL) and the World Hockey Association (WHA). He was born on September 18, 1932, in Arvida, Quebec, Canada, and began his hockey career in the 1950s.
Dineen played as a right winger for various teams in the NHL, including the Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, and New York Rangers. He was known for his speed and scoring ability, and he helped the Red Wings win the Stanley Cup in 1954. Dineen also played for the WHA's Houston Aeros, where he was a key player on the team that won two consecutive Avco Cup championships in 1974 and 1975.
After retiring as a player, Dineen became a coach and had a successful career in that role as well. He coached in both the NHL and the minor leagues, including the WHA's Houston Aeros and the AHL's Adirondack Red Wings. Dineen was known for his ability to develop young players and his emphasis on team play and discipline.
One of Dineen's most notable coaching achievements was leading the Adirondack Red Wings to back-to-back Calder Cup championships in 1986 and 1987. He also coached the Philadelphia Flyers for two seasons in the early 1990s and helped the team reach the playoffs both years.
Dineen's contributions to the sport of hockey were recognized when he was inducted into the AHL Hall of Fame in 2014. He passed away on December 10, 2016, at the age of 84.
Overall, Bill Dineen had a long and successful career in hockey as both a player and a coach. He was known for his speed, scoring ability, and coaching expertise, and he helped lead several teams to championships throughout his career.
🏒