The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Tuesday that Gord Dineen has been named head coach of the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies. Dineen becomes the fifth head coach in Marlies franchise history.
Along with the appointment of Dineen, Derek King has been promoted to associate coach.
Dineen, 51, takes over for Steve Spott, who was named an assistant coach with the Maple Leafs last week. Dineen had served as an assistant coach with the Marlies for the past five seasons, helping lead the team to a cumulative record of 202-139-17-30, three consecutive North Division championships and one Western Conference title.
Dineen has served as a head coach in the American Hockey League on one previous occasion, leading the Iowa Chops to a record of 33-33-4-10 in 2008-09. Dineen has also been an assistant coach in the AHL with the Louisville Panthers (2000-01), Springfield Falcons (2003-04), Utah Grizzlies (2004-05), San Antonio Rampage (2005-07) and Portland Pirates (2007-08).
The Toronto, Ont., native was drafted 42nd overall by the New York Islanders during the 1981 NHL Draft. During his playing career, Dineen registered 106 points (16 goals, 90 assists) in 528 NHL games as a defenseman with the New York Islanders, Minnesota North Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators. He also played 36 AHL games with the Springfield Indians over the 1984-85 and 1985-86 seasons.
King, 47, had spent the previous five seasons as an assistant coach with the Marlies alongside Dineen. The Hamilton, Ont., native is a former 13th overall draft pick of the New York Islanders in the 1985 NHL Draft. During his playing career, King registered 612 points (261 goals, 351 assists) in 830 NHL games while playing for the New York Islanders, Hartford Whalers, Toronto Maple Leafs and St. Louis Blues. He also skated in 35 AHL games with the Springfield Indians (1987-90) before spending two seasons as a player/assistant with the Grand Rapids Griffins (2002-04).
