KEVIN DINEEN THINKS CT HAS ALWAYS BEEN HOME 

By: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings

HARTFORD, CT – Kevin Dineen returned to Connecticut to participate in the Hartford Yard Goats celebration of Hartford Whalers Day at Dunk Donuts Park last week.

“I have always looked at my time with the Whalers as very special. Everything has to have a beginning. Hartford was that for me. It really made for some very fond memories for me and my family. Meeting my wife tops the list,” Dineen said.

As a youngster, Dineen lived in Glastonbury when his late father, Bill, was coaching the New England Whalers in their last year of the WHA. He even played for Glastonbury High School.

After spending two years at Denver University playing both forward and defense, he was drafted by the Whalers in the third round (54th overall). He spent a year with the Canadian National team. He was a dual citizen and played for the  1984 Canadian Olympic team in Sarajevo. He spent a short time (25 games) in the AHL in Binghamton before arriving in Hart City.

“Amazingly, I played more defense than forward in college. I really didn’t become a full-time forward till I played with the Whalers, It worked out pretty well? No complaints, here, a little diversity helps your game,” Dineen said with a chuckle.

Making the full-time switch to forward so late, after being in the Calder Trophy conversation in 1985 as NHL Rookie-of-the-Year, was all that more impressive.

But for Dineen, that bridge year for the Olympics was important.

“After going to college, it was really special to play for and represent my country. It was a year in my development that I needed.”

The early days weren’t simple.

“I’m telling my son going to school in Maine trying to figure out how he’ll get there and get around campus and the town. I told him, my first three years as pro hockey player; I had no car and took a bus to training camp !”.

As a player, Dineen’s most memorable moment came during the 1986 playoffs by scoring the game-winning goal at 1:07 of overtime to even the series at two games on April 23, 1986. The Whalers would push the Habs to seven games but came up short when Claude Lemieux snuffed out the Whalers in OT of game seven.

“Everybody tries to find that one shining moment in the length of your career. It’s all the little things you do and interactions with folks and is what this day put on by the Yard Goats allows me to enjoy once again,” Dineen said with reflection.

That season, Dineen tallied 40 goals and was second in scoring with 79 points in the Whalers’ only Adams Division title.

Dineen had two tours with Whalers. The first began in 1984 and ended in 1991 when he was traded for Murray Craven and a fourth-round draft pick that turned out to be Kevin Smyth, who never played in the NHL (lost sight in one eye in an AHL game) on November 13, 1991.

It was tough on Dineen. His numbers had dwindled offensively. He also had an emotional connection to Connecticut, having met his wife, Annie, during the first Hartford run, even though he would play under his father, then the Flyers head coach.

“It was tough, it’s always tough the first time you’re traded, right? That’s the tough side of sports, all athletes have to deal with it. I considered myself a Hartford guy and hope to have played my whole career here. It didn’t work out that way, but I really enjoyed my time here,” commented Dineen.

In 1988-89 he had a career-best 45 goals and made the NHL All-Star Game for the second straight year.

The Flyers then traded him back to Hartford after surrendering his captaincy in Philly to eventual NHL HOF’er Eric Lindros. He was exchanged for a third-round pick on December 28, 1995.

Dineen was on the ice 27 years ago when the Whalers played their final game at the XL Center, a 2-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Dineen was the last team captain, scored the last goal in Whalers team history, and was the second-leading scorer in team history with 252 goals and 534 points.

“Everything has a beginning and an ending. If, we all had our way, we would love to see the franchise still here. It just doesn’t work that way. You have to put yourself in the position, business decisions that had to be made. I became the face of the franchise at the end. That was the ultimate moment for me,” said Dineen waxing philosophically.

Dineen traveled to Carolina and played two years as part of the new Hurricanes before his second tour with the organization ended.

He would move on to play one year in Ottawa before ending his career after three seasons in Columbus. His final statistical totals were 1,188 games with 355 goals, 760 points, and 2,229 PIM.

Dineen then embarked on a coaching career, starting with the Portland Pirates in 2005-06. In his first year, he was named the Louis A. Pieri, AHL Coach of the Year, an award his father won twice. He spent six years with the Pirates. His brothers Peter, Gord, Jerry, and Shawn were also involved as hockey coaches and scouts, respectively. He has a sister, Rose as well.

“I really enjoy going to work. Every day you get a chance to do a lot of different things. When you see young players get to develop as a I did, it’s great to be around that and reach their dreams and maximize their potential, I really love it,” he said.

Dineen’s #11, former teammates Ulf Samuelsson and his #5, and Ron Francis’ #10 all had their numbers “retired” on January 6, 2006, before over 13,000 fans in the XL Center, the second most in team history. That special moment came before a game with Dineen behind the bench for the Pirates and Samuelsson across the way as the Pack assistant coach.

Coming to Hartford always brings a smile upon returning to the XL Center every time.

“It was such an honor and the Wolf Pack organization was incredibly gracious and kind, and to be able to do it that when we were coaching made it very special. That’s one of those moments you treasure.”

Dineen moved on to a strong run leading the Florida Panthers before a management change cost him his job after three seasons.

“Things happen, I had a good time in Florida. Things just didn’t work out there.”

A new challenge came Dineen’s way on December 17, 2013. He was hired to help guide the Canadian Women’s team at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. He was proud of coming in late and helping that team win the gold for only the fourth time in its history.

“It was a great moment. I was tired after Florida; when that is done, sometimes you think woe is me. Then you have to look for your next opportunity. That opportunity presented itself. It was a great learning experience. I played in the Olympics to go back as a coach was very special indeed. To win a gold medal (over the US) and how that game played out was so special.”

His daughter Hannah and niece Ashley (Canterbury School-New Milford) took the family mantle by playing collegiately.

He then spent five years in Chicago as the assistant with former Whaler teammate Joel Quenneville, winning Stanley Cups in 2015 and 2017.

“The best milestone you can have in hockey. I have so much respect for the Blackhawks, and for Joel for all he did to help the team achieve that ultimate goal. It was a pretty cool moment when you’ve been in hockey as long as I have to win a Cup. It’s a pretty big moment that leads to a pretty good summer too.”

He and Samuelsson, the other assistant, were dismissed on November 6, 2018, from the team.

He returned to the AHL to coach and spent two years in San Diego, where he was eventually replaced by ex-Wolf Pack/Sound Tiger Joël Bouchard (just hired in Syracuse) and is now entering his third year in Utica with the Comets.

“San Diego was a lot of fun, even with the pandemic and everything Ft. Lauderdale, Maine. I have covered three of the four coasts and lived in Seattle for a bit when my father played there (1960s). It’s a lot of mixed emotions for your kids when you move around so much, too. That comes with the territory. We’ve been pretty fortunate. Hockey has given us great exposure to the country,” Dineen said with a great smile.

Dineen almost wound back in Hartford interviewing for the coaching opening after Keith McCambridge was dismissed from the Wolf Pack at the end of the season in 2018-19.

His brother Jerry had been a longtime Rangers video coach.

Dineen was not offered the position. One other ex-Whaler wasn’t even offered an interview after inquiring about the opening. A missed marketing opportunity for sure.

“Actually, I had several different options I was looking at, at the time. I was looking at what the best fit for me would be. Hartford, didn’t work out. I’m with the Devils now and we have some solid players in Utica and we have prospects that have been highly rated. I consider myself fortunate to be in the spot I’m in now,” said Dineen.

Dineen has had a strong run in Utica. They return to the XL Center and make their lone appearance on St. Patrick’s Day weekend on Saturday, March 16, at 6:00 PM.

“You see how serious and dedicated younger players are these days. It used to be late August and early September getting ready for training camp. Players are their own business now. They really take care of themselves year ’round. The strength in skills, skating and do absolutely everything to maintain that level.”

Dineen’s Connecticut routes have now extended to New Haven. His son Will is entering his sophomore season at Yale University.

Dineen keeps busy with charitable work as the national spokesperson for Crohn’s Disease and colitis, which has affected him since 1987.

“Whatever town I’m in, I always get involved in the local chapter. It’s been a good relationship over a lot of years. I consider myself fortunate compared to some other people. I still consider myself a big advocate for it. I’ve learned a lot in to handle the disease over the years. You learn about your body; what works for you and what doesn’t. Certainly, you do your best to operate at the best physical condition you can.”

A visit with a Hartford legend is always great when they return.

UTICA COMETS

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