by Michael P.J. Kennedy, Ph. D.
Each year as part of the annual “Off the Leash Luncheon,” alumni and supporters of Huskie Men’s Hockey pay tribute to an individual who has made “contributions over a period of years to the betterment of Huskie Men’s Hockey and/or its alumni. These contributions may be in the form of dedicated time and talents, development of community support, financial support, or other recognizable assistance to the team and its alumni.”
This year’s recipient is a man whose roots run deep within the Huskie Hockey Family and whose contributions have been many and varied over a period of decades.
Dave King was born in North Battleford in 1947 and graduated from Saskatoon’s Walter Murray Collegiate in 1966. He played hockey for the Saskatoon Junior B Macs in the NSJHL for two years while enrolled at University of Saskatchewan. At university, he played centre for Huskies accumulating 25 goals, 44 assists for 69 points in 54 regular season games over his three-year career; 1968-71. His indefatigable efforts on the ice included 47 penalty minutes and he was named captain in his final year. King also performed with Saskatoon Senior Quakers and the Intermediate AAA Rosetown Red Wings during his playing days.
He earned a Physical Education degree in 1971 and a Bachelor of Education degree in 1972. After convocation, he served as an assistant coach with the Dogs while beginning a teaching career at the secondary level from 1972-77. During that time, he also coached in the North Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (NSJHL) with the Quakers and with the Olympics in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL). In what was then called the Western Canada Hockey League (since 1978, the Western Hockey League), he was named head coach for the Billings Bighorns from 1977-79, taking his team to the WHL final in 1977-78 and being named WCHL Coach of the Year.
“Kinger” returned to Huskies as head coach from 1979 to 1983, leading the Green and White to Canada West titles in 1981, 1982, and 1983. In the 1982-83 season, he guided his charges to the Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Association (CIAU) national championship. It was the only University Cup championship ever won by University of Saskatchewan. For his outstanding ability as a tactician and motivator to lead Huskies so effectively, he was named Canada West Coach of the Year in 1980, 1981, and 1982 and CIAU Coach of the Year in 1980. It was under his tutelage that the “Hustlin’ Huskie identity was established and the iconic skating dog logo introduced.
Beyond his Huskie coaching career, Dave King has demonstrated continually his ability to innovate and analyze as well as prepare, motivate, and guide a variety of teams at various levels throughout the hockey world. From an early coaching stint with Saskatoon Bantam Blues, to his coaching at the Major Junior, Canadian university, National Hockey League, European, and Team Canada international levels, he has been continually in demand.
In 1982 he coached the Canadian World Junior team to its first World Junior Championship, and in 1983, King led them to a bronze medal in Leningrad, Soviet Union. In that same year, the Saskatchewan native became the general manager and head coach of the national/Olympic team. During this time, his charges finished fourth at the 1984 and 1988 Winter Olympics. The team also captured the gold medal at the Izvestia Tournament in Moscow in 1987, becoming the first Canadian team to defeat the Soviet Union since 1972. His international experience as head man for Team Canada entries also included earning silver medals at the International ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Men’s World Championships in 1989 and 1991. In 1992, the Olympic team captured the silver medal at the Winter Olympics in Albertville, France.
In the NHL, he served as bench boss with the Calgary Flames from 1992-95, leading his charges to Pacific Division titles in both 1992-93 and 1993-94. From 1995 until 1998, he worked with the Japanese Olympic team as well as served as assistant coach for Montreal Canadiens from 1997-2000. He took on the head coaching duties with the expansion Columbus Blue Jackets in 2000 where he stayed until 2003. He has also served as assistant and development coach with Phoenix Coyotes (2009-2014).
His knowledge and experience have been appreciated in Europe where he has coached in Sweden, Russia, and Germany. While coaching the Russian team Metallurg Magnitogorsk, his team won the gold medal at the 2005 Spengler Cup in Davos, Switzerland. As well, with Team Canada he won gold medals at the 2016 and 2017 Spengler Cups and a silver medal at the International Ice Hockey federation (IIHF) Men’s World Championships in Paris in 2017. His last coaching experience was as assistant coach with the 2018 Canadian Olympic Team, winning a bronze medal in Pyeongchang, Korea. Emanating from his vast hockey experience came two books; The King of Russia: A Year in the Russian Super League (2007) and Loose Pucks and Ice Bags: How and Why the Game is Changing (2021).
The Saskatchewan native’s many awards and honours include the Order of Canada (1992), University of Saskatchewan Huskie Athletics Wall of Fame (1994), Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame (1995), International Ice Hockey Hall of Fame (2001), Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame and Museum (2006), University of Saskatchewan’s 100 Alumni of Influence (2007), Order of Hockey in Canada (2013), Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame (2015), Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree, University of Saskatchewan (2018), Alberta Sports Hall of Fame (2018), Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame (2019) and Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame (2024).
Despite his many accomplishments in hockey around the globe, Dave King has never forgotten his years as a player and coach at University of Saskatchewan. He remains an active alumnus and among other contributions, was called upon to assist with the selection of a head coach when Dave Adolph retired. His personal and financial leadership for the construction of Merlis Belsher Place was a key element in the Home Ice Campaign.
In addition to other activities, the stellar Huskie alumnus continues to run daily and enjoys photography, especially taking photographs of wildlife. Dave and Linda, his wife of 53 years, spend time in both Arizona and at the lake in Waskesiu. They have three children; Andrew, Jennifer, and Scott. Of note, Scott is associate coach with the WHL-champion Moose Jaw Warriors. The Kings are proud grandparents of Victoria, Daniel, Cole, and Julianna.
At long last, the Huskie Men’s Hockey Family comprised of current players, alumni, and loyal supporters, is pleased to present Dave King with the “Off the Leash Luncheon” Award of Recognition. This acknowledgement is a formal appreciation for all he has contributed for our sport, our team, and all the individuals with whom he played and coached and for whom he is a legend to be emulated.
SELECTED SUMMARY OF DAVE KING’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS,
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1968-71 University of Saskatchewan Huskies; CIAU, Player, Captain 1971-72
1972-73 University of Saskatchewan, CIAU, Assistant Coach
1973-74 Saskatoon Bantam Blues, SMHL, Head Coach
1974-75 Saskatoon Quakers, Jr. B., NSJHL, Coach
1975-76 Saskatoon Olympics, Jr. A, SJHL, Coach
1977-79 Billings Bighorns, WCHL/WHL, Head Coach
1977-78 Billings Bighorns, WCHL, League Finalist
1977-78 WCHL Coach of the Year
1979-83 University of Saskatchewan Huskies, Canada West, Head Coach
1979-80 Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union (CIAU), Coach of the Year
1980, 81,82 Colb McEown Trophy, University of Saskatchewan, Coach of the Year
1981, 82, 83 Canada West Champions, Head Coach
1982 Team Canada, World Juniors, Gold Medal, Head Coach
1982 NHL Team Canada, World Championships, Bronze Medal, Assistant Coach
1983 CIAU University Cup National Champions, Head Coach
1983 Team Canada Pravda Cup, Head Coach
1983 Team Canada, World Juniors Bronze Medal, Head Coach
1984 Team Canada, Olympic Games, Head Coach
1987 Team Canada, Izvestia Tournament, Gold Medal, Head Coach
1988 Team Canada, Olympic Games, Head Coach
1989 NHL Team Canada, IIHF World Championships, Silver Medal, Head Coach
1991 NHL Team Canada, IIHF World Championships, Silver Medal, Head Coach
1992 Team Canada, Olympic Games, Silver Medal, Head Coach
1992 Named a Member of the Order of Canada
1992-95 Calgary Flames, NHL, Head Coach
1994 Inducted into University of Saskatchewan Huskie Athletics’ Wall of Fame
1995-96 Japanese National Team, Head Coach and General Manager
1997 Inducted into the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame
1997-98 Japanese Olympic Team, Winter Olympics, Coach and General Manager
1997-99 Montreal Canadiens, NHL, Assistant Coach
1999-2000 Montreal Canadiens, NHL, Director of European Scouting
2000-03 Columbus Blue Jackets, NHL, Head Coach
2001 Inducted into the International Ice Hockey Hall of Fame
2003-05 Hamburg Freezers, Germany, DEL, Head Coach
2005-07 Metallurg Magnitogorsk, Russian Super League, Head Coach
2005-06 Metallurg Magnitogorsk, Spengler Cup Champions, Head Coach
2006 Inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame and Museum
2006-07 Malmo, Swedish Elite League, Head Coach
2007 University of Saskatchewan 100 Alumni of Influence
2007-09 Adler Mannheim, Germany, DEL, Head Coach
2009-11 Phoenix Coyotes, NHL, Assistant Coach
2011-14 Phoenix Coyotes, NHL, Development Coach
2013 Named to the Order of Hockey in Canada
2013-15 Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, Russia, KHL, Head Coach
2014-15 Phoenix Coyotes, NHL, Senior Advisor
2014-15 Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, Russia, KHL, Head Coach and Team Consultant
2015 Inducted into Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame
2016 Team Canada, Spengler Cup, Gold Medal, Assistant Coach
2017 Team Canada, Spengler Cup, Gold Medal, Assistant Coach
2018 Team Canada, Winter Olympics, Bronze Medal, Assistant Coach
2018 Received Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from University of Saskatchewan
2018 Inducted into Alberta Sports Hall of Fame
2019 Inducted into Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame
2024 Inducted into Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame
SOURCES CONSULTED
Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame. “Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2024—Dave King.” Hockeyalbertasports.ca. 19 July 2024. N. pag.
Alberta Sports Hall of Fame. ”Dave King.” Albertasportshallmembers.ca. 19 July 2024. N. pag.
Elite Prospects. “Dave King Team Staff Profile.” Eliteprospects.com. 10 June 2024. N. pag.
Governor General of Canada. “Mr. W. David King.” Gg.ca/en/honours/recipients/146-3983. 29 July 2024. N. pag.
HockeyDB.com. “Dave King.” Hockeydb.com 10 June 2024. N. pag.
Kennedy, Michael P. J. Dogs on Ice: A History of Hockey at University of Saskatchewan. Regina: Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, 2006; 2015.
King, Dave and Linda King. “Personal Correspondence” -email. 25 July 2024. N. pag.
King, Linda. “personal Correspondence” – email. 6 August 2024. N. pag.
Order of Hockey in Canada. “2013 Order of Hockey in Canada Honouree.” Hockeycanda.ca 10 June 2024. N. Pag.
Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame and Museum. “David ‘Dave’ King.” Saskaatchewansportshalloffame.com/inductees 28 July 2015. 3.
Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame. “2019 Inductees—Dave King.” Saskatoonsportshalloffame.com 1 August 2024. N. pag.
University of Saskatchewan. Huskie Athletics Wall of Fame. ”David King.” Huskies.usask.ca 10 June 2024. N. pag.
University of Saskatchewan. Spring Convocation Programme. “Dave King: Honorary Doctor of Laws.” Saskatoon: University of Saskatchewan, 2018. 24.
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