Roger Neilson
Roger Neilson, one of hockey’s greatest innovators, has had an outstanding coaching career at the National Hockey League and Major Junior A levels.
During his distinguished NHL career, Roger coached seven NHL teams leading the Vancouver Canucks to the Stanley Cup finals in 1982 and the Florida Panthers to the best first year finish ever for an expansion franchise in 1993. He became coach of the Philadelphia Flyers in 1998, with other NHL coaching stops in Toronto, Buffalo, Los Angeles and New York.
With an encyclopedic knowledge of the game, Roger was a pioneer in the use of video and detailed statisitics as coaching tools. Roger coached the Peterborough Petes from 1966 to 1976. For the past twenty-three years, he has operated the Roger Neilson International Hockey Camp which draws campers from over 16 different countries. Proceeds from the camp are used to assist minor hockey in the area and provide educational scholarships for staff members.
Born in Toronto in 1934, Roger has lived in the Peterborough area on Chemong Lake since 1966. He coached the Keene Expos to a Juvenile OBA Baseball Title in 1970.
Roger owned the Lindsay Muskies Tier II junior hockey team, made up of Peterborough and Lindsay area players.
In the opinion of many of his former players and coaching associates, Roger’s greatest asset is his caring and positive attitude to sports and to life. He died in 2003.
Year Inducted:
2000
Status:
Deceased
Roger Neilson, one of hockey’s greatest innovators, has had an outstanding coaching career at the National Hockey League and Major Junior A levels.
During his distinguished NHL career, Roger coached seven NHL teams leading the Vancouver Canucks to the Stanley Cup finals in 1982 and the Florida Panthers to the best first year finish ever for an expansion franchise in 1993. He became coach of the Philadelphia Flyers in 1998, with other NHL coaching stops in Toronto, Buffalo, Los Angeles and New York.
With an encyclopedic knowledge of the game, Roger was a pioneer in the use of video and detailed statisitics as coaching tools. Roger coached the Peterborough Petes from 1966 to 1976. For the past twenty-three years, he has operated the Roger Neilson International Hockey Camp which draws campers from over 16 different countries. Proceeds from the camp are used to assist minor hockey in the area and provide educational scholarships for staff members.
Born in Toronto in 1934, Roger has lived in the Peterborough area on Chemong Lake since 1966. He coached the Keene Expos to a Juvenile OBA Baseball Title in 1970.
Roger owned the Lindsay Muskies Tier II junior hockey team, made up of Peterborough and Lindsay area players.
In the opinion of many of his former players and coaching associates, Roger’s greatest asset is his caring and positive attitude to sports and to life. He died in 2003.