Roger Neilson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Roger Neilson |
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| Hockey Hall of Fame, 2002 (Builder) | |||
Statue of Roger Neilson at Rogers Arena
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| Born | June 16, 1934 Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
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| Died | June 21, 2003 (aged 69) Peterborough, Ontario, Canada |
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| Coached for | Toronto Maple Leafs Buffalo Sabres Vancouver Canucks Los Angeles Kings New York Rangers Florida Panthers Philadelphia Flyers Ottawa Senators |
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| Coaching career | 1966–2003 | ||
Roger Paul Neilson (June 16, 1934 – June 21, 2003) was a Canadian professional ice hockey coach. He is famous for coaching eight teams in the NHL. People called him "Captain Video" because he was one of the first coaches to use technology in hockey. He is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. Neilson was also known for his clever ideas that even led to new rules in the NHL!
Roger Neilson was born in Toronto, Canada. He went to high school at North Toronto Collegiate Institute. His coaching journey began when he was a student at McMaster University. He coached both hockey and baseball there. He earned a degree in physical education.
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Coaching Career Highlights
Neilson started his coaching career in 1966. He became the head coach of the Ontario Hockey League's Peterborough Petes. This team was a junior farm team for the Montreal Canadiens. He stayed in Peterborough for 10 years. He even kept a home there until he passed away.
In 1977, Neilson joined the NHL. He became the head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He also coached other famous teams. These included the Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks, Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, Florida Panthers, Philadelphia Flyers, and Ottawa Senators.
The "Mystery Coach"
In 1979, the Maple Leafs' owner, Harold Ballard, fired Neilson. But many players, fans, and the media were very upset. So, Ballard changed his mind. He wanted Neilson to coach the next game with a paper bag over his head! He called it "the mystery coach." Neilson refused and coached the game normally.
Leading the Canucks to the Finals
Neilson first joined the Vancouver Canucks as an assistant coach. He became the head coach after the main coach was suspended. The team did very well under Neilson. He led them all the way to the 1982 Stanley Cup Finals. This was a huge achievement for the team.
Later NHL Success
After coaching the Rangers and Panthers, Neilson led the Philadelphia Flyers. In the 1999-2000 season, the Flyers finished first in their conference. Neilson even got to coach the Eastern Conference team in the NHL All-Star game! However, his team lost in the conference finals that year.
Neilson later became an assistant coach for the Ottawa Senators. For the last two games of the 2001-02 season, the head coach stepped aside. This allowed Neilson to coach his 1,000th NHL game. This was a special moment for him.
Roger Neilson's Smart Ideas
Roger Neilson was known for his dedication to hockey. He spent many hours watching videos and studying games. He was always looking for new ways to win.
Captain Video and Technology
One of his most famous ideas was using videotape to study other teams. This was very new at the time. It earned him the nickname "Captain Video." He was also the first coach to use microphone headsets. This helped him talk to his assistant coaches during games.
Clever Rule Book Tricks
Neilson was famous for reading the NHL rule book very carefully. He looked for any small details or "loopholes" he could use.
- Too Many Men: In one game, his team was down two players. He knew they couldn't get more penalties. So, he intentionally put too many men on the ice every few seconds! This stopped the game and gave his tired players a break. After this, the rules changed. Now, doing this in the last two minutes of a game results in a penalty shot for the other team.
- Defenceman in Net: Neilson found a rule that said a defenceman could play in goal during a penalty shot. He used this in a game in 1968. He put a defenceman in net instead of the goalie. The defenceman rushed out and blocked the shot! Today, rules say only a goalie can be in net for a penalty shot. Also, the goalie must stay in the crease until the player touches the puck.
- Stick in the Crease: During a timeout, Neilson told his goalie to leave his stick in the crease when they pulled him for an extra attacker. When the other team shot the puck towards the empty net, it hit the stick and went wide! The rule was changed the next season. Now, a goal is awarded if this happens.
The "Towel Power" Tradition
In a 1982 playoff game, Neilson felt his team was getting unfair penalties. He took a white towel and put it on a hockey stick. He waved it like a white flag to show he was giving up. Three other players did the same thing. They were all sent off the ice! But this act started a new tradition. Canucks fans began waving white towels at the next game. This "Towel Power" is now a famous playoff tradition. Many other hockey teams have copied it.
Life and Legacy
In 1999, Roger Neilson was diagnosed with bone cancer. It later spread to his skin. He passed away on June 21, 2003, just five days after his 69th birthday.
Neilson received many honors for his contributions to hockey.
- He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2002.
- He was also appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 2002.
- The city of Peterborough renamed a street "Roger Neilson Way."
- The Ottawa Senators named their coaches' office "The Roger Neilson Room."
- A new elementary school in Peterborough was named Roger Neilson Public School.
- "Roger's House," now called Roger Neilson House, is a special care facility for children in Ottawa. It was built in his memory.
- In 2011, a large statue of Roger Neilson was put up outside Rogers Arena in Vancouver. It shows him holding a towel on a stick, honoring the "Towel Power" tradition.
- The Florida Panthers dedicated their press box to Neilson in 2013.
Roger Neilson dedicated his life to hockey. His smart ideas and unique coaching style left a lasting mark on the game.
Images for kids
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Statue of Roger Neilson holding up a towel outside of Rogers Arena
See also
In Spanish: Roger Neilson para niños
