Kootenay International Junior Hockey League alum Jim Hiller (Kimberley – 1985-86 season) has been named the Los Angeles Kings’ 30th head coach in franchise history, the organization announced Wednesday and held an official press conference today.
The 55-year-old from Port Alberni went 21-12-1 as interim coach after taking over for Todd McLellan, who was fired Feb. 2.
The Kings (44-27-1) finished third in the Pacific Division. They were eliminated from the Western Conference First Round by the Edmonton Oilers for the third consecutive season and have not won a Stanley Cup Playoff series since winning the Stanley Cup for the second time in three seasons in 2014.
Hiller joined the Kings as an assistant coach July 19, 2022, and held the same role with the New York Islanders (2019-22), Toronto Maple Leafs (2015-19) and Detroit Red Wings (2014-15). He coached Alberni in the British Columbia Hockey League and Tri-City of the Western Hockey League, where he was named WHL and Canadian Hockey League coach of the year for the 2011-12 season.
As a player, he was chosen by Los Angeles in the 10th round (No. 207) of the 1989 NHL Draft. He played 63 regular-season games as a forward with the Kings, Red Wings and New York Rangers from 1992-94.
