Jim Hiller

Early Life and Playing Career

James Andrew Hiller was born and raised in Port Alberni, British Columbia. His junior hockey career began with the Melville Millionaires in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League before he moved to the major junior Western Hockey League with the Prince Albert Raiders. Despite a productive junior career, Hiller was not selected until the tenth round, 207th overall, by the Los Angeles Kings in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft. Following his draft selection, he chose to pursue a collegiate path, playing three seasons for Northern Michigan University. His time with the Wildcats was highlighted by winning the NCAA national championship in 1991 during his sophomore season. Hiller turned professional after an 86-point campaign in the 1991-92 season, signing with the Los Angeles Kings organization.

Hiller's NHL playing career spanned 63 games over parts of three seasons. He split his rookie 1992-93 campaign between the Los Angeles Kings and the Detroit Red Wings, recording 20 points in 61 games. The following season, he was traded to the New York Rangers but managed only two NHL appearances, spending most of the year with the AHL's Binghamton Rangers and the IHL's Atlanta Knights. After a season with the Canadian national team, Hiller moved to Europe to continue his playing career. He found considerable success in Germany's Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL), playing for Star Bulls Rosenheim and later the Berlin Capitals. In the 1998-99 season with Rosenheim, he finished second in league scoring with 67 points in 52 games. He concluded his playing career with a single season for HC Milano in Italy's Serie A before retiring in 2002.

Coaching Beginnings in Junior Hockey

Immediately upon retiring as a player, Hiller transitioned into coaching, beginning as an assistant coach with the Tri-City Americans of the WHL for two seasons. His first head coaching opportunity came in 2004 with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). He led the Bulldogs for two seasons, posting winning records and demonstrating an ability to develop talent. He guided the new team to playoff berths in their first two seasons of existence, a notable achievement for an expansion club. After missing the playoffs in his third year, Hiller was dismissed by the Bruins.

He returned to the Tri-City Americans as head coach later in the 2009 off-season. This tenure proved to be highly successful, cementing his reputation as a top junior coach. In 2010, he led the Americans to the WHL championship series, where they fell to the Calgary Hitmen. The pinnacle of his junior coaching career came in the 2011-12 season when he was recognized as both the WHL and Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Coach of the Year. This success at the major junior level paved the way for his eventual move to the professional ranks.

NHL Assistant Coaching Roles

Hiller's first NHL coaching opportunity arrived on July 30, 2014, when he was hired as an assistant coach by the Detroit Red Wings under head coach Mike Babcock. His primary responsibility was overseeing the team's power play. This period coincided with the early stages of the Maple Leafs' rebuild, working with a young core that included Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. In June 2019, Hiller joined the New York Islanders as an assistant coach under Barry Trotz. He spent three seasons with the Islanders, a period that included two deep playoff runs to the Eastern Conference Final. His next stop was with the Los Angeles Kings, who hired him as an assistant coach under Todd McLellan in July 2022. Hiller worked with the Kings for a season and a half before a significant change in his role occurred.

Head Coach of the Los Angeles Kings

On February 2, 2024, following the firing of Todd McLellan, Jim Hiller was named the interim head coach of the Los Angeles Kings. He guided the team for the remainder of the 2023-24 season, securing a playoff berth where the Kings were eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers in a five-game first-round series. His performance in the interim role was deemed sufficient, as the Kings removed the interim tag and officially named Hiller their head coach on May 22, 2024. During that important Game 3, Hiller made a controversial and unsuccessful coach's challenge on a game-tying goal by Evander Kane, a decision widely criticized in the media. The Oilers won that game 7-4 and proceeded to win the next three games, eliminating the Kings for the fourth consecutive year. Despite this playoff exit, new Kings general manager Ken Holland announced Hiller would return as head coach for the 2025-26 season. However, after the team compiled a record of 24 wins, 21 losses, and 14 overtime losses, and with a 2-5-1 record in his final eight games, the Kings fired Hiller on March 1, 2026. Associate coach D. J. Smith was named interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

Appointment as Toronto Maple Leafs Head Coach

On June 17, 2026, just over three months after his dismissal from Los Angeles, Jim Hiller was named the head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, replacing Craig Berube. The appointment marked a return to the organization where he had previously served as an assistant coach for four seasons. Hiller inherited a team with a high-profile core of veteran stars and significant pressure to achieve playoff success. The role places Hiller at the centre of one of the most intense media markets in hockey, tasked with guiding the Maple Leafs toward their ultimate goal of winning the Stanley Cup.

Coaching Philosophy and Style

His long apprenticeship as an NHL assistant, specializing in power play strategy for multiple teams, indicates a focus on offensive tactics and special teams. His head coaching experience with the Kings provided him with his first opportunity to implement his own systems at the NHL level and manage the pressures of a playoff series. The challenge in Toronto will involve managing elite talent, integrating with a new management structure, and adapting strategies to meet the expectations of a championship-starved fan base. His familiarity with the Maple Leafs organization and several of its key players from his previous stint may provide an early advantage in his latest head coaching role.

Questions about Jim Hiller

Where was Jim Hiller born?

Jim Hiller was born in Port Alberni, British Columbia. He is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player. After his junior hockey career, he was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings. He later played in the NHL for the Kings, Detroit Red Wings, and New York Rangers.

When was Jim Hiller drafted into the NHL?

Jim Hiller was drafted in the 1989 NHL entry draft. He was selected in the tenth round, 207th overall, by the Los Angeles Kings. After being drafted, he played college hockey for Northern Michigan University. The team won the 1991 NCAA title during his sophomore year.

How many NHL games did Jim Hiller play?

Jim Hiller played 63 games in the National Hockey League. He played for the Los Angeles Kings, Detroit Red Wings, and New York Rangers. His rookie season in 1992-93 saw him score 20 points in 61 games split between the Kings and Red Wings. He also spent time in the American Hockey League and International Hockey League.

When did Jim Hiller become head coach of the Los Angeles Kings?

Jim Hiller was named interim head coach of the Los Angeles Kings on February 2, 2024, after Todd McLellan was fired. He was then named the permanent head coach on May 22, 2024, following the 2023-24 season. He coached the team through the 2025 playoffs, where they lost to the Edmonton Oilers. He was fired by the Kings on March 1, 2026.

What coaching award did Jim Hiller win in the WHL?

Jim Hiller received WHL and CHL coach of the year honours for the 2011-12 season. He was the head coach of the Tri-City Americans in the Western Hockey League at that time. In the 2010 season, he had coached the Americans to the WHL championship series. He began his WHL head coaching career with the expansion Chilliwack Bruins.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-21.