Kelly McCrimmon

Kelly McCrimmon (born October 13, 1960) is a Canadian ice hockey executive who is general manager of the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Biography He was born on October 13, 1960 to farmers Byron and Faye McCrimmon in Plenty, Saskatchewan. His father was an amateur hockey player and coach for the Rosetown Red Wings senior team. His older brother, Brad, became a professional defenceman in the NHL. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1984.

Playing career Kelly McCrimmon played for the Prince Albert Raiders of the SJHL before suiting up with the Wheat Kings in 1978 for two seasons,

Vegas Golden Knights After twenty-six seasons with the Brandon Wheat Kings, on August 2, 2016, McCrimmon was named the first-ever assistant general manager of the new NHL expansion team Vegas Golden Knights. This came after he turned down an offer from the Toronto Maple Leafs to join their front office.

In McCrimmon's first year as assistant general manager, the Vegas Golden Knights became the second expansion-year team, after the St. Louis Blues, to make the Stanley Cup Final.

On May 2, 2019, he was promoted to general manager as former general manager George McPhee took on the role of president. His son, Mick, joined the team as a professional scout in 2019.

On January 26, 2021, McCrimmon acted as head coach of the Golden Knights in a 5-4 shootout loss to the St. Louis Blues due to a COVID-19 outbreak within the Vegas Golden Knights coaching staff.

On June 13, 2023, the Golden Knights defeated the Florida Panthers 9 - 3 to win the Stanley Cup. By winning the Cup after six seasons, they become the fastest team to win the Stanley Cup from the time of expansion beating the 1973-74 Philadelphia Flyers who won the Cup in their seventh season.

Awards and honours McCrimmon was inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame in 2019.

Career statistics

Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1977-78 Prince Albert Raiders SJHL 49 10 19 29 63 — — — — — 1978-79 Brandon Wheat Kings WHL 40 15 24 39 139 18 0 7 7 23 1979-80 Brandon Wheat Kings WHL 55 13 12 25 89 9 3 3 6 6 1980–81 University of Michigan WCHA 35 0 8 8 30 — — — — — 1981–82 University of Michigan CCHA 15 1 1 2 6 — — — — — 1982–83 University of Michigan CCHA 32 5 13 18 20 — — — — — 1983–84 University of Michigan CCHA 30 8 5 13 34 — — — — — WHL totals 95 28 36 64 228 27 3 10 13 29 NCAA totals 112 21 26 47 100

Head coaching record

Year Team W L OT/T Finish Postseason 1990–91 Brandon Wheat Kings 28 38 6 7th in East Did not qualify 1990–91 Brandon Wheat Kings 19 51 2 8th in East Did not qualify 1991–92 Brandon Wheat Kings 11 55 6 8th in East Did not qualify 2004-05 Brandon Wheat Kings 45 21 6 1st in East Lost in WHL finals 2005-06 Brandon Wheat Kings 30 32 10 3rd in East Lost East Division quarter-final 2006-07 Brandon Wheat Kings 41 20 11 1st in East Lost East Division semi-final 2007-08 Brandon Wheat Kings 42 24 6 3rd in East Lost East Division quarter-final 2008-09 Brandon Wheat Kings 30 32 10 3rd in East Lost East Division final 2009-10 Brandon Wheat Kings 50 18 4 3rd in East Lost West Division final 2010-11 Brandon Wheat Kings 32 31 9 3rd in West Lost East Division quarter-final 2013-14 Brandon Wheat Kings 45 23 4 3rd in East Lost East Division final 2014-15 Brandon Wheat Kings 53 11 8 1st in East Lost WHL finals 2015–16 Brandon Wheat Kings 48 18 6 1st in East Won WHL Championship; Lost in Memorial Cup