Brad McCrimmon has enjoyed a tremendous career in the National Hockey League as a player and as a coach over the last 29 years.

 

The product of Plenty, SK, played 1,222 games over 18 seasons in the NHL with the Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, Calgary Flames, Detroit Red Wings, Hartford Whalers and Phoenix Coyotes, winning a Stanley Cup with the Flames in 1988-89.

 

McCrimmon also spent time as an assistant coach with the Flames, New York Islanders and Atlanta Thrashers, and is currently an assistant coach with the Detroit Red Wings.

 

Yet, before his illustrious NHL career, McCrimmon was a star in the Western Hockey League with the Brandon Wheat Kings.  A solid two-way defenseman, McCrimmon played for the Wheat Kings from 1976-79, and was a member of the legendary 1978-79 Wheat Kings team that won the WHL Championship on the back of the best regular season record in WHL history.

 

McCrimmon also spent two seasons as the head coach of the Saskatoon Blades from 1998-2000 before making the jump to the NHL coaching ranks.

 

Despite playing his final WHL game over 30 years ago, McCrimmon still values the time he spent as a Wheat King, and considers the WHL the premier development League for young, upcoming players.

 

 

“I think the WHL has progressed to the point where it is very much like a mini NHL.  The franchises are all strong and run very well, the League functions very smoothly and the level of play in the WHL is the highest it’s ever been.”

 

“I think the schedule, the travel, the preparation are all key.  The coaching is outstanding…you look around the WHL and see the names who are coaching at this level, and you see some excellent, very knowledgeable people.  I’m probably the biggest supporter of the WHL out there, because I know how great of a League it is.”

 

“I think the WHL Scholarship is one of the most outstanding components of the League, and certainly deserves more praise and attention.  When I was coaching in Saskatoon, there were some guys who turned pro and earned a living playing hockey.  But, most of the guys went on to school, whether it was for training for a trade or for a university degree.  These guys got the opportunity to get an education thanks to what the WHL provided them.  The education program that the WHL offers should be a highlight for any player looking to play in the League.”

 

“Probably the biggest thing was the camaraderie you develop, and the friendships you make.  When you’re a kid and you’re playing the game you love, it’s really a fun time.  I was lucky to be on some really great teams in Brandon, and we won a lot of hockey games.  When I came back to coach in Saskatoon, I had been out of Junior hockey for nearly 20 years.  Someone said to me “you’re gonna have to ride the bus again”, but it was such a great experience that I didn’t mind.  I love coaching in Junior hockey, and helping these kids grow as players and people.  It was a very rewarding experience.”