Nick Polano
Encyclopedia
Nick Polano was the Detroit Red Wings
' head coach when owner Mike Ilitch
first bought the team in 1982. He later served as the team's GM.
Polano never played in the National Hockey League
, but he did play in the American Hockey League
and World Hockey Association
for many years as a defenceman
. As head coach, his overall record in the NHL was 79-127-34.
Polano played 15 seasons in the minor leagues as a defenceman, spending the majority of his time in the American Hockey League (AHL) with Hershey, Baltimore and Providence, and also played 17 games in the WHA for the Philadelphia Blazers.
Polano began his coaching career in 1975-76 with Erie of the Eastern Hockey League (EHL) and led that team to three consecutive regular season and playoff championships. He was twice named EHL coach of the year and in 1981 was named minor league executive of the year by The Sporting News.
Polano spent 10 seasons in the Detroit Red Wings organization as a head coach and assistant general manager. Polano guided the Red Wings from 1982–85 and amassed a 79-127-34 regular season record as their head coach. Polano aided in the defection of several NHL players from behind the Iron Curtain including Petr Klima
and Slava Kozlov.
Before joining Detroit, Polano served as an assistant coach with the Buffalo Sabres
for one season under Scotty Bowman
in 1981-82.
From 1992-2000 Polano worked for the Calgary Flames
, first as their director of pro scouting and later as their director of player personnel and general manager and alternate governor for the Saint John Flames
.
In August 2002, Polano joined the Ottawa Senators
as part-time professional scout.
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
' head coach when owner Mike Ilitch
Mike Ilitch
Michael "Mike" Ilitch Sr. is an American entrepreneur and owner of the Detroit Red Wings and the Detroit Tigers. In addition to his sports ownerships, he is the founder and owner of Little Caesars Pizza since 1959, which has become an international fast food franchise...
first bought the team in 1982. He later served as the team's GM.
Polano never played in the National Hockey League
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...
, but he did play in the American Hockey League
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...
and World Hockey Association
World Hockey Association
The World Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. It was the first major competition for the National Hockey League since the collapse of the Western Hockey League in 1926...
for many years as a defenceman
Defenceman (ice hockey)
Defence in ice hockey is a player position whose primary responsibility is to prevent the opposing team from scoring...
. As head coach, his overall record in the NHL was 79-127-34.
Polano played 15 seasons in the minor leagues as a defenceman, spending the majority of his time in the American Hockey League (AHL) with Hershey, Baltimore and Providence, and also played 17 games in the WHA for the Philadelphia Blazers.
Polano began his coaching career in 1975-76 with Erie of the Eastern Hockey League (EHL) and led that team to three consecutive regular season and playoff championships. He was twice named EHL coach of the year and in 1981 was named minor league executive of the year by The Sporting News.
Polano spent 10 seasons in the Detroit Red Wings organization as a head coach and assistant general manager. Polano guided the Red Wings from 1982–85 and amassed a 79-127-34 regular season record as their head coach. Polano aided in the defection of several NHL players from behind the Iron Curtain including Petr Klima
Petr Klima
Petr Klíma is a Czech former professional ice hockey forward. He played in the National Hockey League for the Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Los Angeles Kings, and the Pittsburgh Penguins...
and Slava Kozlov.
Before joining Detroit, Polano served as an assistant coach with the Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
for one season under Scotty Bowman
Scotty Bowman
William Scott "Scotty" Bowman is a retired National Hockey League head coach. He holds the record for most wins in league history, with 1,244 wins in the regular season and 223 in the Stanley Cup playoffs. He coached the St. Louis Blues, Montreal Canadiens, Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, and...
in 1981-82.
From 1992-2000 Polano worked for the Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
, first as their director of pro scouting and later as their director of player personnel and general manager and alternate governor for the Saint John Flames
Saint John Flames
The Saint John Flames were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League from 1993 to 2003 in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. The Calgary Flames bought and relocated the Utica Devils, to be their AHL affiliate....
.
In August 2002, Polano joined 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...
as part-time professional scout.