EDMONTON – Former University of Calgary Dinos men's hockey coach George Kingston was one of three Distinguished Honourees of the Order of Hockey in Canada for 2019, recognized Tuesday at the Hockey Canada Foundation Gala & Golf.
Kingston joined the University of Calgary men's hockey team as an assistant in 1967 before taking over the program the following year. He served as head coach for the next 16 years, posting a 245-128 record and leading Calgary to five Canada West championships.
Kingston made the move to the international game in the early 1980s, serving as an assistant coach with Team Canada at the 1983 IIHF World Championship and 1984 Olympic Winter Games. He was chairman of the 1988 Olympic tournament in Calgary before building Canada's silver medal-winning entry at the 1994 Games as general manager. The first-ever head coach of the San Jose Sharks, Kingston also made NHL stops as an assistant with Calgary, Minnesota, Atlanta and Florida. One of the most respected minds in the game – he has mentored countless coaches, including Hockey Canada CEO Tom Renney – Kingston has used his expertise and experience to help grow the game around the world, working with national team programs in Germany, Norway, Mexico and Lithuania.
Also honoured as part of the Class of 2019 for the Order of Hockey in Canada were Jayna Hefford and Ken Hitchcock.
"As players and coaches, this group of honourees has proudly represented Canada on some of the biggest stages in the game," said Tom Renney, CEO of Hockey Canada. "To be recognized as a Distinguished Honouree of the Order of Hockey in Canada is one of the most prestigious accomplishments one can receive, and this year's honourees are certainly well-deserving. On behalf of my colleagues at Hockey Canada, the Order of Hockey in Canada selection committee and our board members, I would like to congratulate Jayna, Ken and George on this achievement, and we look forward to celebrating with them in June."
It is the second consecutive year that the Order of Hockey in Canada has recognized someone connected to the University of Calgary. In 2018, Dinos women's hockey head coach
Danielle Goyette was a Distinguished Honouree.
GEORGE KINGSTON'S HOCKEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Assistant coach with Lithuania's national men's team since 2013-14
- Assistant coach with EC Salzburg (Austria) in 2012-13
- Assistant coach with Mexico's national men's team from 2010-13
- Worked with the Norwegian Ice Hockey Federation (men's, women's and sledge) from 2008-10
- Assistant coach with the NHL's Florida Panthers from 2001-07
- Assistant coach with the NHL's Atlanta Thrashers from 1999-2001
- Head coach of Germany's national men's team from 1994-98
- Head coach of Team Canada at the 1994 IIHF World Championship (gold medal)
- General manager of Team Canada at the 1994 Olympic Winter Games (silver medal)
- Head coach of the NHL's San Jose Sharks from 1991-93
- Head coach of Norway's national men's team and national junior team from 1989-91
- Assistant coach with the NHL's Minnesota North Stars in 1988-89
- Chairman of the 1988 men's Olympic hockey tournament
- Assistant coach with Team Canada at the 1984 Olympic Winter Games (fourth place)
- Assistant coach with Team Canada at the 1983 IIHF World Championship (bronze medal)
- Assistant coach with the NHL's Calgary Flames from 1980-82
- Head coach of the University of Calgary men's hockey team (1968-76, 1978-83, 1984-88)
- Won the Canada West championship with Calgary (1974, 1976, 1980, 1986, 1988)
- Assistant coach with the University of Calgary men's hockey team in 1967-68
- Has mentored countless coaches, including current Hockey Canada CEO Tom Renney
- Continues to volunteer with the NHL Coaches Association (past president and managing director)
