Mike Keenan, Legendary NHL Coach and Stanley Cup Champion, Passes Away at 75
Mike Keenan, Legendary NHL Coach and Stanley Cup Champion, Passes Away at 75
The hockey world is mourning the loss of one of its most iconic figures, as former New York Rangers head coach Mike Keenan has passed away at the age of 75.
Keenan, famously known as “Iron Mike” for his intense and demanding coaching style, etched his name into hockey history by leading the New York Rangers to a Stanley Cup victory in 1994—ending a 54-year championship drought and forever cementing his legacy in the hearts of Rangers fans.
Born in Bowmanville, Ontario, in 1949, Keenan’s coaching career spanned multiple decades and included head coaching stints with several NHL franchises, including the Philadelphia Flyers, Chicago Blackhawks, St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Boston Bruins, and Florida Panthers. His impact reached beyond North America, as he also found international success in Russia, becoming the first coach to win both the NHL’s Stanley Cup and the KHL’s Gagarin Cup with Metallurg Magnitogorsk in 2014.
In a more recent chapter of his storied career, Keenan was appointed head coach of the Italian national team in 2022, with aspirations of leading them into the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. However, he stepped down in 2024 after undergoing major surgery, transitioning into a consulting role.
Keenan had battled prostate cancer in 2018, and although he was declared cancer-free following treatment, his health had been a concern in recent years.
His passing marks the end of an era for professional hockey. Revered for both his fiery demeanor and tactical brilliance, Keenan leaves behind a towering legacy. Players, coaches, and fans across the globe are united in grief and gratitude for a man who helped shape the modern game.
Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced.
