Kevin Constantine
Kevin Constantine | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 27, 1958 International Falls, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Occupation | Ice hockey coach |
| Years active | Late 1980s–present |
| Known for | Head coach of San Jose Sharks, Pittsburgh Penguins, New Jersey Devils; coaching in NHL, WHL, AHL, IHL; coaching Hungarian national team |
Kevin Lars Constantine (born December 27, 1958) is a professional American ice hockey coach, most recently serving as the head coach for the Wenatchee Wild in the Western Hockey League (WHL). In September 2023, he was suspended following a league inquiry into his behavior. Constantine’s extensive coaching career spans multiple leagues, including the NHL, WHL, IHL, AHL, and various major junior circuits, as well as a stint with HC Ambri-Piotta in Switzerland’s National League A. Between 2022 and 2023, he led the Hungarian national ice hockey team but departed despite holding a valid contract.
Playing career
Hailing from International Falls, Minnesota, Constantine was selected as a goaltender by the Montreal Canadiens during the 1978 NHL Draft. He appeared in 34 games at the collegiate level for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute from 1977 through 1980 before leaving as a junior and later completing his academic degree at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Coaching career
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Constantine earned recognition by steering the Rochester Mustangs (USHL) and Kansas City Blades (IHL) to successful seasons and coaching the 1991 U.S. National Junior team to its best-ever finish at that time in the World Junior Championships. He was appointed head coach of the San Jose Sharks for the 1993–94 season, leading them to an NHL record-setting turnaround with a 58-point improvement. From 1993 to 2002, Constantine held head coaching roles with the Sharks, Pittsburgh Penguins, and New Jersey Devils, compiling an overall record of 161-150-61-5. Notably, he remains the only NHL coach to have guided two eighth-seeded teams to first-round playoff upsets: San Jose defeating Detroit in 1994 and Pittsburgh overcoming New Jersey in 1999.
In 2001, Constantine established the Pittsburgh Forge in the NAHL, acting as general manager and co-coach; under his leadership, the team achieved an 80–24–8 record and secured a regular-season championship in 2002. After departing in 2003, he became head coach of the WHL’s expansion franchise Everett Silvertips. In their debut season, they established records for best inaugural performance across major junior leagues and captured the U.S. Division title before advancing to the WHL Final.
In 2006, following an exhibition defeat, Constantine was fined $5,000 and suspended for four games by the WHL after mandating that Silvertips players consume post-game meals and travel home on the bus fully dressed in equipment.
On May 29, 2007, he was appointed head coach of the AHL’s Houston Aeros. Constantine guided them to consecutive playoff berths including a run to the Western Conference finals in 2009; however, after missing postseason qualification in 2010, his contract was not renewed.
He had a brief tenure coaching France’s Ducs d’Angers during the 2010-11 season before joining HC Ambrì-Piotta in Switzerland’s National League A. Although relieved of head coaching duties in October 2012, he continued contributing as a consultant.
Constantine returned to lead Everett Silvertips again as head coach in June 2013. Four years later in June 2017, he assumed coaching responsibilities for South Korea’s Daemyung Killer Whales competing in Asia League Ice Hockey. In November 2020, he accepted the head coaching role with Polish club Unia Oświęcim.
On July 13, 2023, following Winnipeg Ice’s relocation to Wenatchee, Constantine was named the inaugural WHL head coach of Wenatchee Wild. By September 2023, he faced an indefinite suspension pending investigation into his conduct; it was confirmed by October that he breached league policies through discriminatory remarks. He may be considered for reinstatement starting in 2025.
NHL coaching record
| Team | Season | Regular season | Postseason | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | L | T | OTL | Pts | Standing | W | L | Win % | Outcome | ||
| SJ | 1993–94 | 84 | 33 | 35 | 16 | – | 82 | 3rd place Pacific Division | 7 | 7 | .500 | Eliminated in Second Round (TOR) |
| SJ | 1994–95 | 48 | 19 | 25 | 4 | – | 42 | 3rd place Pacific Division | 4 | 7 | .364 | Exited in Second Round (DET) |
| SJ | 1995–96 | 25 | 3 | 18 | 4 | – | (47) | 7th place Pacific Division | – | – | – | (dismissed) |
| PIT | 1997–98 | 82 | 40 | 24 | 18 | – | 98 | Northeast Division, 1st place | 2 | 4 | .333 | Defeated in First Round (MTL) |
| PIT | 1998–99 | 82 | 38 | 30 | 14 | – | 90 | Northeast Division, 3rd place | 6 | 7 | .462 | Eliminated in Second Round (TOR) |
| PIT | 1999–2000 | 25 | 8 | 10 | 3 | 4 | (88) | Northeast Division, 3rd place | – | – | – | (relieved of duties) |
| NJ | 2001–02 | 31 | 20 | 8 | 2 | 1 | (95) | 3rd place Atlantic Division | 2 | 4 | .333 | Eliminated in First Round (CAR) |
| Overall Career Totals | 377 | 161 | 150 | 61 | 5 | 542 | - | 21 | 29 | .398 | Five playoff appearances, no Stanley Cup titles | |
Awards
Constantine was honored with the USA Hockey Distinguished Achievement Award, acknowledging his impactful contributions to hockey in the United States.
He was among the finalists for the prestigious Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s top coach in 1994 and secured the Commissioner's Trophy during the 1991–92 season.
Additionally, he received the WHL Coach of the Year accolade in the year 2004.