KHL.ru continues to tell the stories of the men that became legends in the league. Today, the talk is about Mike Keenan, who moved to Russia in his 63 to win the Gagarin Cup at his first attempt.
In the late 1990s and the 2000s, there were numerous biased stories written about Keenan. Those contributed to the impression that he was some kind of madman, capable only of motivating with “unconventional moves”, like throwing trash cans in the locker room, breaking sticks against walls, poking players with hangers. Certainly, the coach earned his nickname “Iron Mike” for a reason. However, the Canadian bench boss had many strong points from a professional standpoint. Unfortunately, as usual, much less attention was paid to them.
Keenan first appeared before Russian fans as a coach in September 2012. It was the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the celebrated Summit Series. A very strong Canadian team led by Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier arrived in Russia for two games in St. Petersburg and Yaroslavl, and its coach was Mike Keenan. The author of the original version of this article, who spent those days with the teams as a journalist, by the end of the trip, realized that Keenan’s recklessness was primarily a stereotype based on heightened emotional intensity that appeared during tense moments in official matches, as later confirmed during his tenure in Magnitogorsk. Of course, friendly games among veterans cannot be compared to official matches. But back then, in September 2012, the tough character of the coach didn’t make it to the surface. There were no peculiarities – neither in his gaze nor in his behavior. Keenan left the impression of a strong, friendly, and calm man. He wore a stylish black cap on his head and easily interacted with others. During one of the banquets, the author asked Keenan if he was ready to lead a team in the Russian league. The coach answered affirmatively.
28.05.2014 Named Best coach of the season
16.03.2017 Hired as Kunlun Red Star’s head coach
01.12.2017 Last game as Kunlun’s head coach
14.10.2022 Appointed as Team Italy’s head coach
Nevertheless, even for those times when a plethora of world-renowned stars played in the KHL, Keenan’s arrival was a sensation. Such esteemed foreign coaches had never worked in Russia before. The only exception could be considered Bengt-Ake Gustafsson, who led Sweden to victory in the Olympics and the World Championship. Keenan had been working in the NHL for many years and was successful. Not only did he win the Stanley Cup but also led his country’s national team to victory in the Canada Cup twice. Yes, officially it was just a friendly tournament, but at that time, it was the only best-on-best competition. And the intensity of those matches, like in the three-game final in 1987, could be envied by any official tournament.
Stanley Cup in his fourth attempt
Keenan could have won the Stanley Cup in his debut season as head coach in the NHL. He took over the Philadelphia Flyers in 1984, but they eventually lost to the Edmonton Oilers in the finals. The Oilers, with Gretzky, Messier, Jari Kurri, Paul Coffey, and many others, proved to be formidable opponents for Keenan in both 1985 and 1987.
The coach could also have lifted the Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks, where he moved to in 1988. However, despite reaching the finals, they once again faced the practically unbeatable opponent of that time, the Pittsburgh Penguins.
1980 OHL champion
1983 Calder Cup winner
1985 Coach of the Year in the NHL
1988, 1992 Canada Cup winner
1994 Stanley Cup champion
2014, 2015 KHL All-Star Game
After skipping the following season, Keenan eventually claimed the ultimate NHL prize in 1994, leading the New York Rangers to victory and securing the Stanley Cup. This victory was historic for the Rangers, who hadn’t won the Cup since 1940. During that season, there was an interesting episode that revealed Keenan's character and some of his coaching methods with players. Alexei Kovalev, a Russian forward, known for frequently extending his shifts on the ice. In a game against the Boston Bruins, after Kovalev once again failed to change on time, Keenan had had enough. He forced the forward to stay on the ice for five full minutes. Keenan remained in demand in the NHL until 2009, but he didn’t achieve further success during that time.
Gagarin Cup in his debut season
As it is well known, one quickly gets used to success. Over the course of a decade, Metallurg accustomed its fans to victories, securing nine medals in the national championship from 1998 to 2008, with three gold (1999, 2001, 2007), two silver (1998, 2004), and four bronze medals (2000, 2002, 2006, 2008). Moreover, the teams also triumphed in the top European tournament (1999, 2000). However, things took a downturn from 2009 to 2013 when Metallurg failed to reach the podium. Neither the legendary Valery Belousov nor Kari Heikkila, Alexander Barkov, Fyodor Kanareykin, nor Paul Maurice could return the team to its former glory. Trying to find a way out of the situation, the club’s management decided to take an unconventional path. Inviting the charismatic “Iron Mike,” Metallurg took a risk. At that time, Keenan was already 63 years old and had never worked anywhere except North America. But it is precisely such unexpected moves that often yield results. Placing their trust in Keenan proved to be fully justified.
13.05.2013 Signed a contract with Metallurg
05.12.2013, 26.12.2014 won a game while trailing by four goals
30.04.2014 Gagarin Cup triumph
However, simply inviting a new coach can’t fundamentally change the team’s situation. Changes in the lineup are also needed. It was precisely after the 2012-2013 season that Magnitka made a series of key acquisitions. These players, along with Sergei Mozyakin, defined the team’s game for several years and led them to win two Gagarin Cups and reach the finals once more.
These players are goaltender Vasily Koshechkin, defenseman Chris Lee, and forwards Danis Zaripov and Jan Kovar.
It was Keenan who brought Mozyakin, Kovar, and Zaripov together, forming the best trio in the KHL’s history. In the 2013-2014 season, during Metallurg’s first triumph, these players occupied the top three positions on the scorers’ list in both the regular season and the playoffs.
The 2014 Gagarin Cup finals became one of the most spectacular and thrilling in history. In the sixth game in Prague, Metallurg was leading 4:3 over Lev. Journalists had already descended to the ice, preparing to cover Metallurg’s victory with the Cup and medals when suddenly the hosts made the game level again. And in the very beginning of OT, they scored the winning goal.
Immediately after that game, Keenan, perhaps for the only time in his career in Russia, lost his composure and displayed excessive emotion. In front of the journalists, he rushed at the referees who had just left the ice, shouting and making threatening gestures. However, a day later Iron Mike led Metallurg to victory in the seventh game and to the gold medals.
In the following season, Metallurg was eliminated in the second round of the playoffs. In the autumn of 2015, Keenan was fired. But that’s not so important. The main thing is that Iron Mike left behind a rich legacy – a championship-winning team and successors. After all, it was under Keenan’s guidance that young coaches Ilya Vorobyov and Evgeny Koreshkov started gaining experience.
Vorobyov replaced Keenan at Metallurg and in 2016, in his very first season as head coach, he lifted Gagarin Cup. The following year, he led the team to the finals. In 2022, Vorobyov secured silver for Metallurg for the second time. He also coached the Russian national team at the World Championships in 2018 (quarterfinal exit) and 2019 (third place), and was part of the coaching staff for the victorious Russian Olympic team in Pyeongchang.
Koreshkov is considered one of the best assistant coaches in the KHL. From 2018 to 2022, he worked with CSKA, which won the Gagarin Cup twice and reached the finals once more during that spell. Currently, he is coaching at SKA.
In all honesty, this is exactly how a foreign coach should ideally work. Leaving behind not scorched earth, but a rich legacy – a top-class team and quality specialists.
Keenan is the first coach to win both the Stanley Cup and the Gagarin Cup. Some might think that at 73 years old, he would be enjoying his well-deserved retirement. But no, the Canadian is still coaching as he was most recently active with Team Italy at the 2023 IIHF Div. 1 World Championship.
Dossier
Mike Keenan
Born on Oct. 21, 1949, in Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada.
Coaching career: 1997-1999, Oshawa; 1979-1980, Peterborough; 1980-1983, Rochester; 1983-1984 Toronto University; 1984-1988, Philadelphia; 1987, 1991, 1993, Team Canada; 1988-1992, Chicago; 1993-1994, New York Rangers; 1994-1997 St. Louis; 1997-1999, Vancouver; 2000-2001, Boston; 2001-2004, Florida; 2007-2009, Calgary; 2013-2016, Metallurg; 2017-2018, Kunlun Red Star; 2022-today, Team Italy.
Honors: Canada Cup winner (1987, 1991), Stanley Cup champion (1994), Gagarin Cup champion (2014).
