Top 10 Detroit Red Wings coaches of all time
DETROIT (BVM) — The Detroit Red Wings have employed numerous great coaches in their 95 years of existence. These are the top 10 of all time.
10. Johnny Wilson (1971-73)
In two seasons as Red Wings head coach, Wilson went 11 games over .500. Detroit wouldn’t post another winning record for 15 years following his departure. He would be followed by more well-known names, but none could match him in the wins column. His brief stint should not be overlooked.
9. Bryan Murray (1990-93)
Murray took charge in the early stages of Detroit’s return to prominence. In three years behind the bench, he posted a 124-91-29 mark. The Quebecois saved his best for last. Murray’s team finished 19 games above .500 in his final year. That set the stage for some great success to follow.
On July 13, 1990, the Detroit Red Wings hired Bryan Murray as their new general manager (replacing Jim Devellano) and head coach (replacing Jacques Demers).
(Getty Images) pic.twitter.com/S6rtQPL2rO
— 90sHockeyTweets (@Hockey90s) July 13, 2021
8. Jacques Demers (1986-90)
The mid-1980s saw Detroit finally begin to emerge from the NHL’s frigid abyss. Demers led the Wings to consecutive first-place finishes (1988 and 1989). Important to note as it had been over two decades since they topped their division. The Montreal native captured back-to-back coach of the year honors (Jack Adams Award) with Detroit as well.
For the better part of the 1970's and early 1980's the Detroit Red Wings really struggled. About 4 years after Mike Ilitch became owner, he hired Jacques Demers & things started to turn around (and yes, drafting Yzerman in 1983 also helped). #LGRW #RedWings #Detroit pic.twitter.com/4xmF5NtGs2
— The Hockey Samurai 侍 (@hockey_samurai) September 15, 2021
7. Dave Lewis (2002-04)
Lewis logged two tremendous regular season records with the Red Wings. To add, he tops the franchise in winning percentage (.672) with a minimum of 10 games coached. Detroit made the playoffs twice under his direction. They advanced as far as the Western Conference semifinals.
6. Sid Abel (1958-70)
The former Wings star steered Detroit to six postseason appearances. Abel tallied five winning years leading the red and white. And he guided them to the Stanley Cup Finals four times during his tenure. That includes a deciding Game 7 vs. Toronto in 1964. He’s known as one of the greatest figures in franchise history.
#WaybackWednesday Gordie "Mr. Hockey" Howe and Alex "Fats" Delvecchio celebrate with Head Coach Sid Abel after defeating the Blackhawks in Game #7 to send the Red Wings to the Stanley Cup Final (1964) @DetroitRedWings
(📸Bruce Bennett) pic.twitter.com/lgXnWluFVW
— Vintage Hockey Showcase (@hockey_vintage) September 7, 2022
5. Jimmy Skinner (1954-58)
Skinner secured a position in the postseason each of his four years with Detroit. The Wings appeared in two Stanley Cup Finals during that stretch and bagged the big prize once. Skinner’s playoff win percentage ranks third all time in team annals. They suffered through a 42-year drought before they sipped from Lord Stanley’s Cup again.
On July 14, 1954, the Detroit Red Wings were looking for a replacement for Tommy Ivan and hired Jimmy Skinner as head coach who had never coached a game in the NHL. In that first season for Jimmy behind the bench, the Detroit Red Wings finished first and won the 1955 Stanley Cup. pic.twitter.com/FNBmU6uRkK
— Kevin Foster (@KevinKY84) July 20, 2019
4. Mike Babcock (2005-15)
Babcock had an immediate impact. His opening year saw them finish 58-16, the second-best points percentage (.756) since the club started 95 years ago. Over a decade in Detroit, Babs won 65% of his regular season games. They claimed two conference titles in addition to a Stanley Cup in 2008. He’s the all-time winningest coach (525) of the Wings.
3. Jack Adams (1927-47)
The namesake of the NHL’s top coaching honor assumed control of Detroit’s Cougars in 1927. Five years later, they became the Red Wings. Adams’ Wings played in seven Stanley Cup Finals and triumphed three times. The club patriarch is still No. 3 in career wins.
https://twitter.com/pWJQVvkRjUVIvLm/status/1515350635083931655
2. Tommy Ivan (1947-54)
Ivan registered a stellar resume in his seven-year run as Red Wings leader. His teams topped the field in every season except one. They competed in five Cup finals and were victorious on three occasions. Every season Ivan led Detroit was a winner. This surely sealed him a spot in the Hall of Fame.
Tommy Ivan was coach for the Detroit Red Wings from 1947 to 1954 (won three Stanley Cups) and was the gm for the Chicago Black Hawks from 1954 to 1977 (Stanley Cup in 1961). He never played professional hockey, as a severe facial injury shortened his career. pic.twitter.com/yEOBKfVQLu
— Jim Genac (@Jim_Genac) October 23, 2020
1. Scotty Bowman (1993-2002)
Bowman brought unmatched credentials to Detroit. Among them were six Stanley Cup wins (five in Montreal, one with Pittsburgh). The most successful coach in NHL history showed why in the Motor City. Scotty added three more Cup trophies with the Wings. He’s an absolutely brilliant hockey mind with a now-record nine Stanley Cups in his NHL career as head coach.
Legendary Red Wings coach Scotty Bowman has his final say at the Joe. #farewell2theJoe pic.twitter.com/euoxlUADCr
— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) April 10, 2017
