Longtime NHL veteran turned coach Kevin Dineen has disclosed that he has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The 62-year-old shared the news on social media, reflecting on the unique perspective it has brought this Thanksgiving and expressing gratitude for the support from his family and friends.
Known for his tenacity on the ice, Dineen had a remarkable career spanning from 1984 to 2002, playing in over 1,200 games for teams like the Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes, Philadelphia Flyers, Ottawa Senators, and Columbus Blue Jackets. Transitioning into coaching after a brief period in scouting and management, he notably led the Florida Panthers from 2011 to 2013 and guided Canada’s women’s hockey team to Olympic gold in 2014.
Dineen, who also contributed to the Chicago Blackhawks’ Stanley Cup victory in 2015 as an assistant coach, most recently coached the San Diego Gulls and the Utica Comets in the American Hockey League. In his message, he emphasized the importance of unity in facing challenges, extending words of encouragement to others battling significant obstacles.
Hockey has ingrained in Dineen the belief that no battle is solitary, a sentiment he wished to convey to those confronting their own struggles, whether cancer or other adversities.