Kurt Kleinendorst
Encyclopedia
Kurt Kleinendorst is the current head coach of the AHL ice hockey team Binghamton Senators
. He previously coached the Under-18 team of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program
and the Lowell Devils
, the AHL
affiliate of the New Jersey Devils
. He also served as an assistant coach and later a scout for the Devils. He coached the UK Superleague team Manchester Storm
for three seasons from 1997–1998 to 1999–2000. Kleinendorst played four seasons at Providence College
and was inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame
in 1997. He is the younger brother of former NHL player Scot Kleinendorst
.
for four years, from 1979-1980 to 1982–83, for Lou Lamoriello
. He was selected in the fourth round (77th overall) of the 1980 NHL Entry Draft
by the New York Rangers
, but never played in the NHL
. He was a member of the Tulsa Oilers (CHL) team that suspended operations on February 16, 1984, playing only road games for final six weeks of 1983-84 season. Despite this adversity, the team went on to win the Adams Cup
. In 1986-87 he played with Iserlohn
(Germany) and Peliitat (Finland) teams, and then with the Rotterdam Pandas in the Netherlands during the 1987-88 season, and continued to play minor league hockey through 1990.
Kleinendorst was both general manager and head coach of the Manchester Storm
of the UK Superleague from 1997–1998 to 1999–2000, where he was named Coach of the Year
following the 1998–1999 season. Prior to taking a position with Manchester, he was director of hockey operations and head coach for the Raleigh IceCaps
of the East Coast Hockey League from 1991–1994, and again from 1995–1997. During the 1994–1995 season he was the assistant coach and assistant general manager of the International Hockey League's San Diego Gulls
.
Kleinendorst was with the New Jersey devils organization for nine years, where he coached the organization's Lowell Devils
AHL affiliate from 2006–2007 to 2008–2009. On July 13, 2009 it was announced that former New Jersey Devils star John MacLean would replace Kleinendorst as the head coach of the Lowell Devils. Kleinendorst had been with the New Jersey Devils as a scout
for the five years prior to assuming the Lowell devils head coaching position. He joined the organization in 2000–2001 as an assistant coach of the New Jersey Devils under Larry Robinson
.
Kleinendorst was named head coach of USA Hockey's National Team Development Program's
Under-18 team for the 2010 season, leading the team to a Gold Medal at the 2010 IIHF U-18 World Hockey Championship. When interviewed about taking the position with USA Hockey, Kleindorst stated "I could’ve stayed with New Jersey as a scout, but I had already done that. And when Jim Johannson
called and asked me to think about this job, it was good timing [...] These are high-school age players and I remember what my high school coaches [at Grand Rapids] meant to me. I know that the Development Program is one of the best programs anywhere and I’m intrigued by working with this age group." he replaced John Hynes
, who took an assistant’s job with the AHL's Wilkes-Barre-Scranton Penguins. He had previously served as Team USA
's assistant coach during the 2008 IIHF World Hockey Championship.
On August 6, 2010 the Ottawa Senators
signed Kleinendorst to a two year contract as head coach for their AHL affiliate Binghamton Senators
. Kleinendorst replaces Don Nachbaur
, who resigned as head coach following the 2009–10 Binghamton Senators season.
, and is playing hockey at the University of New Hampshire
for the New Hampshire Wildcats
under a scholarship.
Binghamton Senators
The Binghamton Senators are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League . Nicknamed the B-Sens, they play in Binghamton, New York at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena. Along with the Elmira Jackals of the ECHL, the B-Sens are minor league affiliates of the Ottawa Senators...
. He previously coached the Under-18 team of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program
USA Hockey National Team Development Program
The National Team Development Program was started in 1996 by USA Hockey as a way to identify elite ice hockey players in the country under the age of 18, and centralize their training. There are two teams in the program, an Under-17 squad and an Under-18 squad. The teams are both based in Ann...
and the Lowell Devils
Lowell Devils
The Lowell Devils, formerly known as the Lowell Lock Monsters from 1998 to 2006, were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League playing in Lowell, Massachusetts at the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell. In 2006, they were purchased by the New Jersey Devils franchise and renamed to the Lowell...
, the AHL
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
affiliate of the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. He also served as an assistant coach and later a scout for the Devils. He coached the UK Superleague team Manchester Storm
Manchester Storm
The Manchester Storm were an ice hockey team from Manchester, England. The team formed in 1995, playing their home games at the then newly built Nynex Arena . Storm won the British Hockey League Division One in their first season, watched by an average crowd of 6,342...
for three seasons from 1997–1998 to 1999–2000. Kleinendorst played four seasons at Providence College
Providence College
Providence College is a private, coeducational, Catholic university located about two miles west of downtown Providence, Rhode Island, United States, the state's capital city. With a 2010–2011 enrollment of 3,850 undergraduate students and 735 graduate students, the College specializes in academic...
and was inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame
Hall of Fame
A hall of fame, wall of fame, walk of fame, walk of stars or avenue of stars is a type of attraction established for any field of endeavor to honor individuals of noteworthy achievement in that field...
in 1997. He is the younger brother of former NHL player Scot Kleinendorst
Scot Kleinendorst
Scot Brian Kleinendorst is a former American ice hockey defenseman.Drafted in 1980 by the New York Rangers, Kleinendorst also played in the NHL for the Hartford Whalers and Washington Capitals....
.
Playing career
Kleinendorst played for Providence CollegeProvidence College
Providence College is a private, coeducational, Catholic university located about two miles west of downtown Providence, Rhode Island, United States, the state's capital city. With a 2010–2011 enrollment of 3,850 undergraduate students and 735 graduate students, the College specializes in academic...
for four years, from 1979-1980 to 1982–83, for Lou Lamoriello
Lou Lamoriello
Louis "Lou" Lamoriello is the CEO, president, and general manager of the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League...
. He was selected in the fourth round (77th overall) of the 1980 NHL Entry Draft
1980 NHL Entry Draft
The 1980 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Montreal Forum. This was the first time that an NHL arena hosted the draft. The National Hockey League teams selected 210 players eligible for entry into professional ranks, in the reverse order of the 1979–80 NHL season and playoff standings. This is the...
by the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
, but never played in the NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
. He was a member of the Tulsa Oilers (CHL) team that suspended operations on February 16, 1984, playing only road games for final six weeks of 1983-84 season. Despite this adversity, the team went on to win the Adams Cup
Adams Cup
The Adams Cup was awarded annually to the championship team in Central Hockey League.The CHL was a top-tier minor professional league that operated in the United States from 1963 to 1984. It was owned and operated by the National Hockey League...
. In 1986-87 he played with Iserlohn
Iserlohn
Iserlohn is a city in the Märkischer Kreis district, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is the largest city by population and area within the district and the Sauerland region.-Geography:...
(Germany) and Peliitat (Finland) teams, and then with the Rotterdam Pandas in the Netherlands during the 1987-88 season, and continued to play minor league hockey through 1990.
Kleinendorst was both general manager and head coach of the Manchester Storm
Manchester Storm
The Manchester Storm were an ice hockey team from Manchester, England. The team formed in 1995, playing their home games at the then newly built Nynex Arena . Storm won the British Hockey League Division One in their first season, watched by an average crowd of 6,342...
of the UK Superleague from 1997–1998 to 1999–2000, where he was named Coach of the Year
Coach of the Year
Many sports leagues, sportswriting associations, and other organizations confer "Coach of the Year" awards.Some of these are:*AFCA Coach of the Year *Annis Stukus Trophy...
following the 1998–1999 season. Prior to taking a position with Manchester, he was director of hockey operations and head coach for the Raleigh IceCaps
Raleigh IceCaps
The Raleigh Icecaps were a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Founded in 1991 and playing at Dorton Arena, located at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds, the IceCaps were members of the ECHL...
of the East Coast Hockey League from 1991–1994, and again from 1995–1997. During the 1994–1995 season he was the assistant coach and assistant general manager of the International Hockey League's San Diego Gulls
San Diego Gulls (1990–1995)
The second San Diego Gulls team was founded in 1990 as part of the International Hockey League. The Gulls played at the Valley View Casino Center, formerly known as the San Diego Sports Arena....
.
Kleinendorst was with the New Jersey devils organization for nine years, where he coached the organization's Lowell Devils
Lowell Devils
The Lowell Devils, formerly known as the Lowell Lock Monsters from 1998 to 2006, were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League playing in Lowell, Massachusetts at the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell. In 2006, they were purchased by the New Jersey Devils franchise and renamed to the Lowell...
AHL affiliate from 2006–2007 to 2008–2009. On July 13, 2009 it was announced that former New Jersey Devils star John MacLean would replace Kleinendorst as the head coach of the Lowell Devils. Kleinendorst had been with the New Jersey Devils as a scout
Scout
A scout is a soldier performing reconnaissance and other support duties.Scout may also refer to:-Aircraft:* Scout , pre-1920s terminology for a single-seat fighter...
for the five years prior to assuming the Lowell devils head coaching position. He joined the organization in 2000–2001 as an assistant coach of the New Jersey Devils under Larry Robinson
Larry Robinson
Larry Clark Robinson is a former ice hockey player and coach in the National Hockey League. Robinson was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1995 and is currently the defensive coach for the New Jersey Devils...
.
Kleinendorst was named head coach of USA Hockey's National Team Development Program's
USA Hockey National Team Development Program
The National Team Development Program was started in 1996 by USA Hockey as a way to identify elite ice hockey players in the country under the age of 18, and centralize their training. There are two teams in the program, an Under-17 squad and an Under-18 squad. The teams are both based in Ann...
Under-18 team for the 2010 season, leading the team to a Gold Medal at the 2010 IIHF U-18 World Hockey Championship. When interviewed about taking the position with USA Hockey, Kleindorst stated "I could’ve stayed with New Jersey as a scout, but I had already done that. And when Jim Johannson
Jim Johannson
Jim Johannson is an American former professional ice hockey player. He is currently an executive with USA Hockey. Johannson was selected by the Hartford Whalers in the 7th round of the 1982 NHL Entry Draft....
called and asked me to think about this job, it was good timing [...] These are high-school age players and I remember what my high school coaches [at Grand Rapids] meant to me. I know that the Development Program is one of the best programs anywhere and I’m intrigued by working with this age group." he replaced John Hynes
John Hynes
John B. Hynes , a Massachusetts politician, was mayor of Boston 1950-1960.Family backgroundHynes was the son of Bernard Hynes, Abbey Street, Loughrea, County Galway, Ireland, who emigrated to Boston about 1890...
, who took an assistant’s job with the AHL's Wilkes-Barre-Scranton Penguins. He had previously served as Team USA
Team USA
Team USA is a wrestling faction brought together as part of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling's X-Cup Tournaments, which involved a team of X Division superstars from various countries representing their nation in an international wrestling competition.-America's X-Cup:Team USA was created and led...
's assistant coach during the 2008 IIHF World Hockey Championship.
On August 6, 2010 the Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
signed Kleinendorst to a two year contract as head coach for their AHL affiliate Binghamton Senators
Binghamton Senators
The Binghamton Senators are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League . Nicknamed the B-Sens, they play in Binghamton, New York at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena. Along with the Elmira Jackals of the ECHL, the B-Sens are minor league affiliates of the Ottawa Senators...
. Kleinendorst replaces Don Nachbaur
Don Nachbaur
Donald Kenneth Nachbaur is a retired professional ice hockey player...
, who resigned as head coach following the 2009–10 Binghamton Senators season.
Family
Kleinendorst and his wife, Deon, have four children: Ryan (26), Kollin (23), Kaitlyn (19) and Jake (14). Their daughter Katie played Lacross for North Andover (Mass.) High School and ice hockey for North American Hockey Academy in Stowe, VermontStowe, Vermont
Stowe is a town in Lamoille County, Vermont, United States. The population was 4,339 at the 2000 census. Tourism is a significant industry.-Geography:...
, and is playing hockey at the University of New Hampshire
University of New Hampshire
The University of New Hampshire is a public university in the University System of New Hampshire , United States. The main campus is in Durham, New Hampshire. An additional campus is located in Manchester. With over 15,000 students, UNH is the largest university in New Hampshire. The university is...
for the New Hampshire Wildcats
New Hampshire Wildcats
The New Hampshire Wildcats, or Cats, are the athletic teams of the University of New Hampshire. The wildcat is the school's official mascot, the colors are UNH Blue and white...
under a scholarship.