Former Flyers coach Dineen gains AHL HOF nod

Bill Dineen, who served as Philadelphia Flyers head coach between December of 1991 and the end of the 1992-93 season, was one of four men elected to the American Hockey League Hall of Fame's Class of 2014 on Thursday.

“There’s not many places I didn’t stop,” Dineen said in obvious understatement.

Dineen is best known in hockey circles for his time spent in Glens Falls as bench boss for Adirondack's original AHL club, the primary affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings. From 1983 to 1989, the Quebec native led the Baby Wings, winning Calder Cups in 1986 -- while the parent club won an NHL-worst 17 games -- and again in 1989. He also took home the Pieri Award for the league's top coach in both 1985 and '86.

“We saw a lot of kids go up to Detroit from here. And they went and never came back. That’s the ultimate. It was always a good feeling to see a player that you coached get an opportunity to go up, and you hope not to see them come back," he added. "That’s what the players are here for. It’s not the ideal situation for the coach, but it’s very satisfying.”

He had previously been elected to the Adirondack Hockey Hall of Fame back in 2010. 

The 81-year-old also had the distinction of being head coach in the World Hockey Association with the Houston Aeros (1972-78) and New England Whalers (1978-79) -- both of which featured Gordie Howe and his sons Mark and Marty.

Dineen played in the AHL between 1958 and 1964 for Buffalo, Cleveland, Rochester and the Quebec Aces before they became the Flyers' chief affiliate.

“I love the American League,” Dineen said. “I think it’s a good development league for kids, very competitive, very physical. Certainly a good way to develop your skills.”

In Philadelphia Dineen took over for Paul Holmgren on December 5, 1991 and earned a rare distinction as being the only Flyers head coach to have been the boss of his son. Kevin Dineen had been acquired from the Hartford Whalers weeks before the coaching chance. The elder Dineen finished his Philadelphia tenure with a neat 60-60-20 record but did not reach the playoffs.

John Slaney, who skated with the Philadelphia Phantoms from 2001 to '07 and was a key member on the blue line for the 2005 Calder Cup champions, was also selected. Slaney, a native of Newfoundland, played parts of 14 years in the AHL for multiple clubs, also spent five games with the Flyers split over two seasons. 

Read on for the full release and bios of all inductees.

* Quotes courtesy of Diana C. Nearhos and the Post Star