Jim Playfair, a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and coach, has had a varied career in the world of hockey. Born on May 22, 1964, in Fort St. James, British Columbia, Playfair's journey in hockey began when he was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the first round, 20th overall, in the 1982 NHL Entry Draft. His playing career in the National Hockey League (NHL) was relatively brief, but he transitioned into coaching, where he spent many years contributing to the sport.
Playfair's playing career in the NHL included stints with the Edmonton Oilers and the Chicago Blackhawks. He played as a defenseman, known for his physical style of play. However, his time on the ice in the NHL was limited, as he appeared in a total of 21 games over the course of his career. Despite the limited number of games, Playfair gained valuable experience that would later serve him well in his coaching career.
After retiring from playing, Playfair shifted his focus to coaching, where he found a long-term role in the hockey world. He began his coaching career in the minor leagues, taking on the role of head coach for the Dayton Bombers of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) during the 1993-94 season. His coaching abilities were soon recognized, and he moved on to coach in the American Hockey League (AHL), where he spent several years developing his skills and understanding of the game from behind the bench.
In the AHL, Playfair served as the head coach of the Saint John Flames, the Calgary Flames' affiliate team, from 2000 to 2003. Under his leadership, the team achieved considerable success, culminating in winning the Calder Cup in 2001. This achievement highlighted Playfair's ability to guide and develop young talent, and it was a stepping stone that led to further opportunities in his coaching career.
Playfair's success in the AHL did not go unnoticed, and he was promoted to the NHL, joining the Calgary Flames as an assistant coach. He served in this capacity from 2003 to 2006, working under head coach Darryl Sutter. In 2006, Playfair was named the head coach of the Calgary Flames, a position he held for one season. During his tenure as head coach, the Flames finished with a record of 43-29-10, making the playoffs but losing in the first round to the Detroit Red Wings.
Following his time as head coach, Playfair returned to the AHL, where he continued to work with the Flames' affiliate teams. He served as the head coach of the Abbotsford Heat from 2009 to 2011, further honing his coaching skills and contributing to the development of players who would go on to play in the NHL.
In addition to his roles in the AHL and NHL, Playfair also spent time coaching in the Western Hockey League (WHL), where he served as an assistant coach for the Arizona Coyotes. His extensive coaching career has been marked by his ability to adapt to different levels of play and his focus on player development.
🏒