Kevin McCarthy (ice hockey)
Canadian defenceman who captained the Vancouver Canucks.
Kevin McCarthy is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played 10 seasons in the National Hockey League from 1977 to 1987. He served as captain of the Vancouver Canucks from 1979 until 1982.
Quick Facts
- Position
- Defence
- Played for
- Philadelphia Flyers
- Vancouver Canucks
- Pittsburgh Penguins
- Shoots
- Right
- Born
- 14 July 1957
- Birthplace
- Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Draft
- 17th overall
- Drafted by
- Philadelphia Flyers
- Wha draft
- 48th overall
Facts from the source article.
Playing career
McCarthy played in the 1969 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the Winnipeg St. James minor team. While with his hometown Winnipeg Monarchs, he became one of the most dominant junior defenders of his era. In the 1976–77 season he set WCHL records for defencemen with 105 assists and 127 points, marks later broken by Cam Plante. The Philadelphia Flyers selected him in the first round, 17th overall, of the 1977 NHL amateur draft. McCarthy joined the Flyers directly for the 1977–78 season, recording 2 goals and 17 points with a +29 rating. Early in the 1978–79 season he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks for Dennis Ververgaert. The deal proved controversial because McCarthy had a pre-existing hip condition; he played only one game for Vancouver before requiring surgery. After recovering, he led Vancouver's defencemen in 1979–80 with 15 goals and 45 points, finishing third in team scoring. He then produced four consecutive 40-point seasons as a Canuck blueliner, known for his powerful point shot and outlet passing. In his finest season he tied a team record for defencemen with 16 goals and set a career high of 53 points, earning selection to the 1981 NHL All-Star Game. After a strong 1981–82 season, McCarthy broke his ankle on the eve of the 1982 playoffs and watched from the pressbox as the Canucks reached the Stanley Cup Final, losing to the New York Islanders. Following a poor start to 1983–84, Vancouver traded him to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a draft pick as part of a rebuild. He posted 20 points in 31 games for Pittsburgh but had a −32 rating. After a 19-point 1984–85 season, the Penguins released him.
Coaching career
While playing in Hershey, McCarthy gained a reputation for leadership and work with young players, becoming a player-assistant coach in the 1987–88 season. After retiring, he stayed as an assistant coach for the Bears and was promoted to head coach for 1989–90. He then spent two seasons as pro scouting director for the Philadelphia Flyers. McCarthy served as an assistant coach with the Hartford Whalers from 1992 to 1995 before returning to the AHL as head coach of the Springfield Falcons and the Beast of New Haven. He was an assistant coach for the Carolina Hurricanes from 1999 to 2009, winning the Stanley Cup with the team in 2006. In 2009 he joined the Flyers as an assistant coach under head coach Peter Laviolette. On October 7, 2013, McCarthy and Laviolette were relieved of their positions by Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren. On May 6, 2014, Laviolette and McCarthy were hired by the Nashville Predators as head coach and assistant coach, respectively. McCarthy was promoted to associate coach on July 21, 2017. He and Laviolette were fired by Nashville on January 6, 2020. McCarthy then served as an assistant coach with the Washington Capitals from October 2020 until April 2023, while Laviolette was Washington's head coach.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Kevin McCarthy (ice hockey) born?
Kevin McCarthy was born on 14 July 1957 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
What position did Kevin McCarthy (ice hockey) play?
Kevin McCarthy's position is listed as Defence.
More in Philadelphia Flyers Players from Canada
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