Fastest jumps from NHL playing career to Head Coach/GM

[Hemsky is a gangsta]

Mike Sullivan - last played in NHL in 01-02, was head coach of Bruins for 03-04

Garth Snow - last played in NHL in 05-06, GM of Islanders for 06-07

Any others?

Click to read more...

 

[Panthers Rock]

I don't think it gets any faster than Garth Snow. He literally had to retire to become the GM...

http://espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2522886

Apologies for the ESPN link in advance, first one I found of such an old article.

 

[Passchendaele]

Bobby Clarke

 

[WaveRaven]

Lou Nanne took his equipment off and walked straight upstairs ..... 16 minutes

 

[Big McLargehuge]

Snow definitely wins, he was the Islanders back-up goalie when he was hired as GM and had to retire to take the position.


As for head coach...gotta specify a full head coach and not a player/coach, which wasn't uncommon back in the day (in any sport).

 

[Stanleyjub]

After a quick research, since Charlie Burns served as the last player/head coach in the NHL for the Minnesota North Stars in 1969-70 there has been six NHL-players who've retired mid-season and become head coach for their team same season.

Al Arbour 1970-71 St. Louis Blues
Ken Schinkel 1972-73 Pittsburgh Penguins
Marshall Johnston 1973-74 California Golden Seals
Alex Delvecchio 1973-74 Detroit Red Wings
Lou Angotti 1973-74 St. Louis Blues
Lou Nanne 1977-78 Minnesota North Stars

And in 10 cases the player became a head coach the following season after their retirement.

Bill McCreary 1971-72 St. Louis Blues
Phil Goyette 1972-73 New York Islanders
Ted Harris 1975-76 Minnesota North Stars
Bill White 1976-77 Chicago Black Hawks
Barclay Plager 1976-77 St. Louis Blues
Gerry Cheevers 1980-81 Boston Bruins
Butch Goring 1985-86 Boston Bruins (Prior to retirement he served three seasons as player/assistant coach for the Islanders)
Jim Schoenfeld 1985-86 Buffalo Sabres
Brad Park 1985-86 Detroit Red Wings
Brian Sutter 1988-89 St. Louis Blues

 

[YYC]

Dan Bylsma was pretty quick retired in 04 was coaching the in A by 04-05, then Isles in 06-07, pens stanley cup winning coach by 09

 

[Bee Sheriff]

Though not in any head position, Martin Brodeur was pretty quick to join staff

 

[oXo Cube]

Glen Sather was coach and player at the same time for his last season I believe.

There is probably more than one.

 

[Nordique]

Dineen did it in 9 years from CBJ player to Panthers head coach.

2002 - 2011