Coaching legend Brian Kilrea was ‘simply the best’
When a junior hockey fan thinks of legendary coach Brian Kilrea of the Ottawa 67’s, Tina Turner’s 1989 hit “Simply the Best” comes to mind.
Kilrea, who is commonly referred to as Killer, spent 33 years behind the bench for his hometown Ottawa 67’s. Kilrea registered a total of 1,194 coaching wins with the barber poles and currently ranks first in the entire Canadian Hockey League in that statistical column. Kilrea also holds the honour of scoring the first goal in the history of the Los Angeles Kings during his playing career. Those accolades can only be obtained through hard work, perseverance and dedication to a person’s craft.
Kilrea prided himself on being an incredible motivator, leader and a winner during his time guiding the 67’s to three OHL championships and through numerous deep playoff runs.
Despite his intimidating demeanour while manning the 67’s bench, there was a very kind, compassionate and caring human being providing advice and guidance to the teenagers that had the opportunity to play for him. I remember Kilrea tearing up prior to Game 5 of the OHL championship in 2003 in Kitchener against the Rangers. It was very clear to me that this was a coach who was trying his best to motivate his team and his emotion was very genuine and heartfelt.
Kilrea always took a lot of pride in his players and was always proud of them whether they became professional hockey players, firefighters, lawyers or accountants.
Kilrea had an incredible impact on the young players that he helped mould and clearly enjoyed the task of getting the most out of each individual. He left the 67’s briefly in 1984 to ply his trade in the National Hockey League as an assistant coach under Hockey Hall of Fame head coach Al Arbour of the New York Islanders. Kilrea would only spend two seasons as an employee of the Islanders prior to returning to his beloved 67’s.
It was the junior hockey ranks where Kilrea felt most comfortable and where his impact would be felt for generations. He won four OHL coach of the year awards and also guided the 67’s to a Memorial Cup title on home ice at the Ottawa Civic Centre in 1999.
Thanks to a monumental overtime backhand goal by Matt Zultek against the Calgary Hitmen, the 67’s were able to celebrate a Memorial Cup championship on home ice with their faithful fans. Of course part of that celebration included ex 67’s assistant coach and ex Petes head coach Vince Malette jumping off the top of the boards onto the ice at the 67’s bench directly after Zultek’s clinching goal.
Kilrea was also famous for his animated one liners during games and in the 67’s dressing room. One of the greatest Kilrea “chirps” during his time as the 67’s bench boss was when he asked one of his wingers who was struggling if they were playing right wing for the 67’s or left wing for the other team.
Kilrea was rightfully inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003 in the builders category. The memories of Killer for the 67’s alumni will always be cherished whether it was watching him smoke one of his loved cigars or listening to Anne Murray on one of the road trips echoing throughout the team bus.
As Tina Turner stated in her lyrics for “Simply the Best” — “you’re simply the best, better than all the rest, better than anyone.”
No truer words have ever been spoken when it comes to describing the greatest head coach in the history of the Canadian Hockey League!
CHRIS HARDILL IS A PETERBOROUGH NATIVE WHO PLAYED GOAL FOR THE OHL’S BARRIE COLTS, KINGSTON FRONTENACS AND OTTAWA 67’S FROM 2000 TO 2003 AND DOES COLOUR COMMENTARY ON PETERBOROUGH PETES RADIO BROADCASTS.
HIS COLUMN WILL APPEAR WEEKLY IN THE EXAMINER DURING THE HOCKEY SEASON.