Final Regular season game for Kilrea

OHL

Brian Kilrea of the Ottawa 67’s will coach in his last regular season game on Sunday when the 67’s host the Kingston Frontenacs at the Ottawa Civic Centre.

Kilrea, who has won more games than any other coach in the history of the Canadian Hockey League during his 32-year coaching career, announced at the beginning of the season that this would be his last year behind the bench. He will be continuing in his role as general manager while current assistant coach Chris Byrne will be promoted to head coach.

Kilrea has accomplished more than any other coach in the history of the CHL and his numbers reflect the outstanding career that he has enjoyed in the nation’s capital.

Brian Kilrea – By the Numbers:

2,156 – Kilrea has coached in more games than any other coach in CHL history

2003 – Kilrea was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003

2,000 – Kilrea coached in his 2,000th game in 2007

1,000 – He became first coach in CHL history to win 1,000 games in 2003

757 – He set a CHL record with 757 career wins in 1997

621 – Kilrea coached 621 players during his 32 seasons behind the 67’s bench

32 – Kilrea coached the 67’s for an unprecedented 32 seasons

12 – Kilrea’s 67’s won the Leyden Trophy as East Division Regular Season Champions 12 times – 1976-77, 1977-78, 1981-82, 1982-83, 1983-84, 1985-96, 1996-97,

1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-00, 2002-03, 2003-04

5 – Kilrea won the Matt Leyden Trophy as OHL Coach of the Year five times – 1980-81, 1981-82, 1995-96, 1996-97 and 2002-03

3 – Kilrea’s 67’s won the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL champions three times – 1977, 1984, 2001

3 – Kilrea’s 67’s won the Hamilton Spectator Trophy as OHL Regular Season Champions three times - 1977-78, 1981-82, 1996-97

3 – Kilrea’s 67’s won the Bobby Orr Trophy as Eastern Conference Playoff Champions three times - 2001, 2003, 2005

2 – Kilrea won the Memorial Cup with the 67’s in 1984 and 1999

1 – Kilrea was presented with the Bill Long Award for Distinguished Service to the OHL in 1994

1 – Kilrea was named the CHL Coach of the Year, which was later renamed the Brian Kilrea Award, in 1996-97

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)