Native Kootenaian and part-time Balfour resident Tom Renney has been named the new president and CEO of Hockey Canada.
In those roles, he will oversee all elements of the organization, including hockey development programs, sales, events, and marketing, the organization said today.
“This is not only an honour for myself, but it is all that and more for my family,” said Renney. “We are thrilled to be joining this great organization. I am excited to dedicate my efforts to grassroots, development and high performance hockey with a volunteer base second to none in the world.”
Renney, 59, is originally from Cranbrook has a long coaching resume that began in the KIJHL with Trail, Rossland, and Columbia Valley.
He came to prominence as coach of the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers from 1990-92, leading the team to a 101-37-6 record, two league championships, and the 1992 Memorial Cup. His .714 winning percentage is the best in Canadian Hockey League history.
Renney was the head coach of Canada’s national men’s team from 1992-94, capturing a silver medal at the 1994 Olympics in Lillehammer.
He also served as vice-president of hockey operations with Hockey Canada from 1997-99, and coached Canada to silver at the 1999 IIHF World Junior Championships.
In the NHL, he was head coach in Vancouver in 1996-97, New York from 2004-08, and Edmonton from 2010-12. This past season he was associate coach with Detroit. During the 2012 NHL lockout, Renney helped instruct the Nelson Leafs.
“On behalf of the board of directors, I am thrilled with the addition of Tom Renney,” said chairman Jim Hornell. “In Tom, we have an individual with great experience at all levels of the game, as well as a strong passion for hockey development.”
Renney takes over for Bob Nicholson, who served in the same role from 1998 until earlier this year.