Mike Kitchen's journey in the world of professional hockey is marked by his roles both on the ice as a player and behind the bench as a coach. Born on February 1, 1956, in Newmarket, Ontario, Kitchen began his professional playing career as a defenseman. He was drafted 38th overall by the Kansas City Scouts in the 1976 NHL Amateur Draft. The Scouts soon relocated and became the Colorado Rockies, where Kitchen spent the early years of his NHL career.
During his time as a player, Kitchen was known for his defensive skills and reliability on the blue line. He played a total of 474 regular-season games in the NHL, scoring 12 goals and adding 85 assists. After his tenure with the Rockies, Kitchen joined the New Jersey Devils when the franchise moved in 1982. He continued to play with the Devils until the end of his playing career in 1983-1984.
Transitioning from player to coach, Kitchen began his coaching career in the minor leagues. He served as an assistant coach for the Newmarket Saints in the American Hockey League (AHL) and later took on the role of head coach for the Utica Devils, also in the AHL. His coaching abilities were soon recognized, and he moved up to the NHL ranks.
Kitchen's NHL coaching career included significant stints with several teams. He joined the Toronto Maple Leafs as an assistant coach in 1990, where he worked under head coach Pat Burns. His defensive strategies and ability to develop players were assets to the team. After his time with the Maple Leafs, Kitchen moved to the St. Louis Blues in 1998, again serving as an assistant coach. His tenure with the Blues was marked by the team's consistent playoff appearances.
In 2003, Kitchen was promoted to head coach of the St. Louis Blues, a position he held until 2006. Although his time as head coach was challenging, with the team undergoing a rebuilding phase, Kitchen's leadership was respected by players and management alike.
Following his head coaching role with the Blues, Kitchen continued his coaching career as an assistant coach with the Florida Panthers and later with the Chicago Blackhawks. His time with the Blackhawks was particularly rewarding, as he was part of the coaching staff that led the team to Stanley Cup victories in 2013 and 2015. Working alongside head coach Joel Quenneville, Kitchen's defensive acumen was instrumental in the team's success during this period.
Throughout his career, Mike Kitchen was known for his tactical understanding of the game and his ability to mentor young players.
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