Brian McCutcheon

Brian Kenneth 'Boom Boom' McCutcheon (born August 3, 1949) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played 37 games in the National Hockey League with the Detroit Red Wings between 1974 and 1976. Since 1981 he has served in a variety of coaching positions spread across many leagues, most recently as head coach for Füchse Duisburg in 2015–16.

Playing career McCutcheon played minor ice hockey in Toronto, and went to the 1962 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the Toronto Shopsy's youth team. He was recruited to play at Cornell under Ned Harkness. In his junior season McCutcheon led his team in goals while the Big Red compiled the first (and thus far only) undefeated national championship in NCAA history. After graduating in 1971 McCutcheon embarked on a professional career. Despite going undrafted, McCutcheon was signed by the Detroit Red Wings. After scoring only 7 points in 45 games across three leagues in 1971-72 McCutcheon settled down with the Virginia Wings in the mid-1970s, eventually receiving a call-up to the parent club. While McCutcheon was a capable minor league player he couldn't adjust to the NHL level, recording only 4 points in 37 games over three seasons with the Wings. He spent the entire 1977-78 season in the CHL before heading overseas to finish his playing career with EC Graz.

Coaching career

College A year after hanging up his skates McCutcheon reappeared behind the bench at Elmira, a Division III program. Over six seasons with the Soaring Eagles McCutcheon saw a good amount of success, posting 5 winning records, and an appearance in the 1986 tournament. In 1987 he returned to his alma mater taking over as head coach from Lou Reycroft, becoming the second player from the 1970 team to coach the Big Red (Dick Bertrand being the first).

McCutcheon was tasked with rebuilding Cornell to its former glory after having declined over the previous ten years. The initial years were good, seeing the big Red post five consecutive winning seasons and making the tournament in 1991 but from 1992–93 on the team struggled and finished with three straight losing campaigns.

Professional Despite the ending in Ithaca McCutcheon didn't stay idle for long, accepting a position as an assistant with the Los Angeles Ice Dogs for the 1995–96 season. The following year he became the head coach for the Columbus Chill of the ECHL, leading the team to its first division title and receiving the John Brophy Award for his efforts. As further recognition he was promoted to the AHL and coached the Rochester Americans to consecutive Calder Cup finals. McCutcheon eventually made his way back to the NHL, becoming an assistant with the Buffalo Sabres under Lindy Ruff. McCutcheon was named as an associate in 2006 but left the team five years later when his contract was not renewed. Since leaving the NHL McCutcheon has coached several teams in Europe in varying capacities.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1968–69 Cornell University ECAC 29 17 22 39 28 — — — — — 1969–70 Cornell University ECAC 29 25 21 46 44 — — — — — 1970–71 Cornell University ECAC 27 17 24 41 48 — — — — — 1971-72 Fort Worth Wings CHL 13 0 1 1 9 — — — — — 1971-72 Tidewater Wings AHL 18 1 1 2 2 — — — — — 1971-72 Port Huron Wings IHL 14 2 2 4 0 — — — — — 1972-73 Virginia Wings AHL 68 23 19 42 64 13 3 1 4 7 1973-74 London Lions Exhib 71 47 28 75 75 — — — — — 1974-75 Virginia Wings AHL 30 12 9 21 24 — — — — — 1974–75 Detroit Red Wings NHL 17 3 1 4 2 — — — — — 1975-76 New Haven Nighthawks AHL 58 27 19 46 22 — — — — — 1975–76 Detroit Red Wings NHL 8 0 0 0 5 — — — — — 1976-77 Kansas City Blues CHL 27 11 8 19 12 — — — — — 1976–77 Detroit Red Wings NHL 12 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 1977–78 Kansas City Red Wings CHL 60 17 16 33 27 — — — — — 1978–79 EC Graz AUT — — — — — — — — — — AHL totals 174 63 48 111 112 13 3 1 4 7 NHL totals 37 3 1 4 7 — — — — —

Head coaching record

Awards and honors Award Year All-ECAC Hockey Second Team 1970–71