He entered the NHL as head coach of the St. Louis Blues in 1986-87 and 1987-88, leading the Blues to the Norris Division Championship in his rookie season. He joined the Blues after guiding the Ontario Hockey Leagues Guelph Platers to the 1986 Memorial Cup championship and winning OHL coach-of-the-year honours for his efforts. In 1998-99, Martin won the Jack Adams Trophy as NHL Coach of the Year after guiding the club to a 103-point season and its first of two Northeast Division championships. He was also been nominated for the Adams Trophy in 1996-97 and 2000-01.

 

Assistant - Bob Hartley

Born: August 9, 1960

Birthplace: Hawkesbury, Ontario

Hartley made the move to the American Hockey League during the summer of 1993, when he joined the Quebec Nordiques organization as the Assistant Coach of the Cornwall Aces under future Colorado Avalanche Assistant Coach and Ottawa Senators Head Coach Jacques Martin. Ironically, Cornwall would go on to knock off the Hershey Bears in seven games and capture the Southern Division Playoff Championship. When Martin departed prior to the start of the 1994-95 campaign to join the Nordiques as an Assistant Coach during their last season in Quebec, Hartley was named Head Coach, orchestrating a 38-33-9 regular season record. His inaugural season in Denver during in 1998-99 saw a continuation of his winning ways. Under Hartley's guidance, the Avalanche surged past a sluggish beginning to the season, finishing with a record of 44-28-10 and earned its fifth-consecutive division title. His memorable season behind the Colorado bench included acting as assistant coach for the North American squad at the 2001 NHL All-Star Game in Denver.