Coaches

Coaching Records

Doug Soetaert (7/5/90-4/3/91)---25-53-4, Did not qualify for playoffs Doug Soetaert was the only constant in the Kansas City Blades' eleven year history. He first served as head coach and director of hockey operations. He later took the reigns as General Manager and Vice President. He briefly served as an associate coach during the 1995-96 season. He currently serves as Vice President and General Manager of the Everett Silvertips of the WHL.

Kevin Constantine (7/11/91-6/16/93)---102-48-14, Western Conference Playoff Champion, Turner Cup Kevin Constantine was coach of the Blades for two seasons, and he proved to be the most successful Blades coach, bringing KC a Turner Cup in 92 and runner up honors the next season. After the great turn around he made with KC, San Jose rewarded him with the head coach's position of the Sharks in the National Hockey League. Constantine has coached in the NHL for seven seasons. He has coached the San Jose Sharks, Pittsburgh Penguins, and most recently the New Jersey Devils. He began his NHL coaching career in 93, and has a 161-155-61 NHL record. Constantine was fired after coaching the Devils in 2001-2002. Constantine has also served as head coach of the Everett Silvertips junior team. He currently serves as head coach for the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League.

Jim Wiley (8/19/93-10/19/95)---77-72-16, Eastern Conference Playoff Champion Jim Wiley's first season as coach of the Blades was an unusual one. He had a winning record, which isn't really that an unusual, but the team's reward for the 40-31-10, 90 point performance was. The team failed to make the IHL playoffs, which was the first time in league history that a team with a 90 point season failed to make the post season. Wiley wasn't new to KC, he had been Kevin Constantine's assistant the two previous seasons. Wiley also played professionally for the CHL's Tulsa Oilers, the AHL champion Hershey Bears, the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins and Vancouver Canucks. Wiley was also a champion collegiately with Lake Superior State University in 1972. Wiley also coached the Tulsa Oilers. He served as the General Manager for the USHL's Des Moines Buccaneers. He currently serves as as head coach for the Amarillo Gorillas of the CHL.

Vasily Tikhonov (10/10/95-5/16/96) Vasily Tikohnov is the son of famed Russian Hockey coach Viktor Tikhonov. Vasily in his coaching in Russia helped better the Red Army team's defense. As well as coaching the Blades, Tikhonov coached in Finland. He also worked with the Winnipeg Jets/Phoenix franchise, as well as scouting and being part of the coaching staff for the San Jose Sharks.

Don Jackson (6/19/96-7/21/97) Prior to coming to KC Don Jackson had been bench boss for three teams. He coached the IHL's Cincinnati Cylones, the ECHL's Knoxville Cherokees, and the CHL's Wichita Thunder. He was named ECHL Coach of the Year during his stint with the Checkers. Jackson was also an assistant for the Quebec Nordiques for three years. A native of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jackson played for the North Stars, as well as the New York Rangers and the Stanley Cup Champion Edmonton Oilers. He currently serves as coach for the Eisbaren Berlin hockey team of the DEL.

Paul MacLean (8/5/97-8/2000) Paul MacLean brought back to back 40-plus win and 90-plus point seasons. As coach of the Peoria Rivermen from 1993-1996, he was the most successful IHL coach, posting 141-81-22 season. For the 1993-1994 season, MacLean was chosen as The Hockey News Minor Professional Coach of the Year. During the 1996-1997 season, MacLean was an assistant coach for the Phoenix Coyotes. MacLean played in the National Hockey League for the Winnipeg Jets, Detroit Red Wings, and St. Louis Blues. He currently serves as an assistant for the Detroit Red Wings of the NHL.

Stan Smyl (8/2000-4/2000) Stan Smyl was the seventh and final head coach in Blades history. He had previously coached the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL. Prior to his coaching stint with the Crunch, Smyl was an assistant coach for the Vancouver Canucks of the NHL, the team he was drafted by in 1978. He played for the Vancouver Canucks from 1978-1991. He served as the team captain from 1982-1990, the longest captain in the team's history. His number 12 was raised to the rafters of the Canucks arena on November 3, 1991. He currently serves as Director of Player Personnel for the Vancouver Cabucks of the NHL

Co-Coach

Ken Morrow
Ken Morrow was the first NHL player to win an Olympic Gold medal and a Stanley Cup in the same year. Morrow was part of the United States "Miracle on Ice" in 1980. He was also part of the New York Islanders Dynasty that won 4 consecutive Stanley Cups. Morrow played in 550 NHL games, recording 17 goals and 88 assists. He retired as a player in 1989. He spent two seasons as a coach with the Blades, he then went on to assist Al Arbour with the New York Islanders in 1992. Morrow was inducted into the U.S. Hall of Fame in 1995. He was awarded the Lester Patrick Award in 1996. Morrow is now director of pro scouting with the New York Islanders.

Assistant Coaches

Randy Pierce

Jim Wiley

Kevin Gordon

Mark Kaufman (8/31/94-10/10/95) Mark Kaufman was an assistant coach under Jim Wiley. Prior to coming to the Blades he was an assistant coach at Ferris State University. He also served as General Manager and head coach of the Rochester (MN) Mustangs of the U.S. Junior League. He was also an assistant at U.S. International University. Kaufman is back at Ferris State as an assistant.

Drew Remenda (10/10/95-2/26/96) Drew Remenda was an Emmy winner for his work on San Jose Sharks broadcasts. Remenda was an assistant coach from 1991-95 with the Sharks. Remenda has also worked as an analyst on radio. Remenda previously worked as the video coordinator for Hockey Canada where he provided support for Canada’s National Team and the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association. Remenda’s hockey background includes a stint as assistant coach at the University of Calgary from 1988-90 and having coached at the amateur level since 1983.

Doug Soetaert (2/26/96-5/16/96)

Lucien DeBlois (6/19/96-8/98) Lucien DeBlois was an assistant coach under Don Jackson and then Paul MacLean. The Joliette, Quebec native was General Manager and coach for the Moncton Alpine of the QMJHL. He also served as a scout and assistant coach for the Quebec Nordiques of the NHL. He also spent time as a broadcaster for ROS Sports, covering Montreal Canadiens and Quebec Nordiques games. Prior to his coaching career, DeBlois was a player for many NHL teams: New York Rangers, Colorado Rockies, Winnipeg Jets, Montreal Canadiens, Quebec Nordiques, and Toronto Maple Leafs. He won the Stanley Cup with the Canadiens in 1986. He currently serevs as a scout for the Vancouver Canucks of the NHL.

Gary Emmons (8/21/98-8/2000) Gary Emmons served as an assistant coach under Paul MacLean, after Lucien DeBlois left KC to take a scouting position with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. Emmons had been the director of player personnel and development then previous season, and had played for the Blades for six years, serving as the team's captain. Emmons won the Turner Cup Finals in 1992. Emmons was and assistant coach two seasons.

Barry Smith (8/2000-4/2001) Barry Smith served as an assistant coacch under Stan Smyl. He had previously been the General Manager and head coach of the Waterloo (IA) Black Hawks of the USHL. He was also assistant coach, and later head coach, of the Erie Panthers of the ECHL. Smith played professional hockey in Europe during the 1980's. He currently serves as an assistant coach with the Vancouver Canucks of the NHL.

Last updated December 18, 2007