Former Blackhawks coach Mike Keenan undergoes open heart surgery

Mike Keenan, affectionately known as "Iron Mike", is currently on the mend after undergoing open heart surgery last Saturday.

The news has sparked considerable interest and support among the hockey community, reflecting on his remarkable career and recent health challenges.

Keenan, who began his NHL coaching career with the Philadelphia Flyers in 1984, is revered not only for his sharp coaching mind but also for his resilience and tenacity, qualities that earned him the nickname "Iron Mike".

After transitioning from head coach to hockey consultant for the Italian national team, Keenan continues to influence the sport beyond the bench.

His coaching tenure with the Chicago Blackhawks, spanning from 1988 to 1992, is particularly notable.

Keenan led the team to the playoffs in every season, reaching several conference finals and contending in one Stanley Cup final against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

His crowning achievement came in 1994, when he guided the New York Rangers to a Stanley Cup victory during his single season with the team.

Keenan's NHL coaching stats are impressive, with a record of 672 wins, 531 losses, 147 ties, and 36 overtime losses across 1,386 games. His playoff record stands at 96 wins to 77 losses, with one Stanley Cup win to his name.

Beyond his professional achievements, Keenan has shown remarkable fortitude in his personal life, battling prostate cancer in 2018.

This resilience underscores his current recovery journey, with hopes high within the hockey community for his return to the ice.

As fans and former players send their best wishes, the overarching sentiment is one of admiration and hope for "Iron Mike's" speedy recovery and return to the sport he has shaped so significantly.

Source: Hockeyfeed
Mike Keenan shares update after open heart surgery.