DU Alum Kevin Dineen Gets NHL Coaching Job

(above) DU Alum Kevin Dineen is the new head coach of the Florida Panthers

The Florida Panthers have formally introduced Former University of Denver hockey star Kevin Dineen as the franchise's 11th head coach.

The Panthers made the announcement at a news conference Wednesday at the BankAtlantic Center. Dineen replaces Pete DeBoer, who was fired on April 10, one day after completing his third season behind the Florida bench.

Dineen spent the past six seasons as coach of the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League.

In Portland, Dineen compiled a mark of 266-155-59 and led the Pirates to the playoffs in five of his six seasons.

Kevin played in more than 1,100 National Hockey League games and is one of only seven players in the league’s history to score more than 350 goals, while registering more than 2,000 penalty minutes. 

Dineen's father, Bill, played and coached in the NHL and his brothers Gord and Peter also were NHL players. Another brother, Shawn, played and graduated from DU and is a scout for the Nashville Predators.  Another brother, Jerry is the video coach of the New York Rangers.