Mike Keenan Tenure
The coach and GM who reshaped the Panthers before a sudden resignation.
via Wikipedia: Mike Keenan · see source
Mike Keenan was named head coach of the Florida Panthers on December 3, 2001, before also becoming its general manager. His tenure with the Panthers ended on September 3, 2006, when he resigned his position and was replaced as head coach by Jacques Martin. Keenan's time in Florida was marked by significant personnel moves, including a trade that sent franchise goaltender Roberto Luongo to the Vancouver Canucks shortly before his resignation.
Quick Facts
- Role
- Head Coach and General Manager
- Tenure
- 2001–2006
- Status
- Resigned
Lore & Background
Keenan's tenure with the Florida Panthers began on December 3, 2001, when he was named head coach. He later added the role of general manager. His time in Florida was defined by a major trade in September 2006, when he dealt franchise goaltender Roberto Luongo, along with defenseman Lukas Krajicek and a 2006 sixth-round draft pick (Sergei Shirokov), to the Vancouver Canucks. In return, the Panthers received struggling forward Todd Bertuzzi, goaltender Alex Auld, and defenseman Bryan Allen. Shortly after this trade, on September 3, 2006, Keenan abruptly resigned from his positions. It was speculated that he had lost a power struggle with head coach and longtime friend Jacques Martin over personnel decisions. Martin succeeded Keenan as general manager upon his resignation.
Reader's Guide
Mike Keenan's tenure with the Florida Panthers began on December 3, 2001, when he was named head coach. He later also assumed the role of general manager. His most notable action was a trade in September 2006, sending goaltender Roberto Luongo, defenseman Lukas Krajicek, and a draft pick to Vancouver for Todd Bertuzzi, Alex Auld, and Bryan Allen. On September 3, 2006, Keenan resigned from his positions. He was succeeded as general manager by head coach Jacques Martin, who had been a longtime friend of Keenan's. The resignation was speculated to be the result of a power struggle between Keenan and Martin over personnel decisions.
More in Club History & Eras
Elsewhere in Florida Panthers
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced