Mike Keenan is one of the best coaches in NHL history and has a very impressive résumé. But he was also a very tough coach and not always popular with his players. His former players Brett Hull and Tony Twist recalled one of the worst mind games he ever pulled on Hull’s podcast, The Ice Guardians Podcast.
Few other coaches have a resume like Mike Keenan’s. He led the Philadelphia Flyers to two Stanley Cup Finals in 1985 and 1987, the Chicago Blackhawks to the Final in 1992, and then finally the New York Rangers to a championship in 1994, where he won it all. Despite his success, Keenan never lasted long with teams. His demanding coaching style often led to players losing enthusiasm for playing under him.
Mike Keenan’s mind games
There are numerous stories about the mind games Keenan used to show his players he was in charge. On The Ice Guardians Podcast, hosted by Brett Hull and Kelly Chase, they discussed one of the worst examples. It took place during the 1996–97 season, when the St. Louis Blues had traded for Robert Petrovicky.
“Some of the things Keenan did… you couldn’t have felt special, because he did it to almost everybody,” Hull said on the podcast.
Brett Hull’s worst memory
They then brought up Robert Petrovicky and what Keenan did to him.
“I think it was Petrovicky he sent home after warmups. Sent him on his way to the minors, and then called him back before he reached his destination. I think Mike Keenan was trying to play a Scotty Bowman role with the mental games,” Tony Twist said on the podcast.
You can watch the full story below.
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