Bobby Kromm

Robert Kromm (June 8, 1928 – June 9, 2010) was a National Hockey League (NHL) and World Hockey Association (WHA) head coach who in 1978 became the first coach of the Detroit Red Wings to win the Jack Adams Award as NHL Coach of the Year. He led the 1977–78 Red Wings to a 37-point improvement on their 16 win season the year previous, and a second-place finish in the Norris Division.[1] The Red Wings made the playoffs for the first time in eight years.

Robert Kromm
Born(1928-06-08)June 8, 1928
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
DiedJune 9, 2010(2010-06-09) (aged 82)
Livonia, Michigan, U.S.
OccupationFormer NHL coach
Years active1977–1980 (as NHL coach)
EmployerDetroit Red Wings

Prior to coaching the Wings, Kromm had been a successful coach in the World Hockey Association, where he guided the high-flying Winnipeg Jets to the 1976 Avco Cup championship. He won the Robert Schmertz Trophy as WHA Coach of the Year for the 1975-76 season. That fall, he was as an assistant coach for Canada at the inaugural Canada Cup.

In 1961, Kromm took an underdog team from Trail, British Columbia to an Ice Hockey World Championships win over the Russians. The Trail Smoke Eaters represented Canada that year. Kromm coached the Trail Smoke Eaters to the 1962 Allan Cup championship and were chosen to represent Canada at the 1963 Ice Hockey World Championships. When the Western International Hockey League did not operate during the 1962–63 season, the team appealed to the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) for exhibition games in preparation for the World Championships.[2] Canada placed fourth at the 1963 World Championships, its worst result at the time.[3] The CAHA and the Smoke Eaters disagreed on the team's financial statement of the European tour, and Kromm faulted the CAHA for lack of financial assistance and additional players to strengthen the team. CAHA president Art Potter felt that the CAHA had done nothing wrong and accused Kromm of poor judgment in choosing players. The team perceived Potter's statement as censuring the coach and was criticized as "unfair and unsportsmanlike".[4][5]

Kromm's son, Richard, played ten years in the NHL for the Calgary Flames and New York Islanders.[6]

Born in Calgary, Alberta. Kromm died from complications of colorectal cancer one day after his 82nd birthday in Livonia, Michigan.[7][8]

NHL/WHA coaching record
TeamYearRegular seasonPost season
GWLTPtsFinishResult
Winnipeg Jets (WHA)1975–76 81522721061st in CanadianAvco Cup champions
Winnipeg Jets (WHA)1976–77 8046322942nd in WestLost in Avco Cup Finals
Detroit Red Wings (NHL)1977–78 80323414782nd in NorrisLost in quarter-finals
Detroit Red Wings (NHL)1978–79 80234116625th in NorrisMissed playoffs
Detroit Red Wings (NHL)1979–80 71243611(63)5th in Norris(fired)
NHL Total2317911141

References
  1. "Norris Winners – Bobby Kromm". Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
  2. "Smokies Ask For Money, Games". Medicine Hat News. Medicine Hat, Alberta. January 21, 1963. p. 7.icon of an open green padlock
  3. Currie, Rod (March 18, 1963). "Russians Win World Hockey Tourney By Goal Margin". Winnipeg Free Press. Winnipeg, Manitoba. p. 22.icon of an open green padlock
  4. "CAHA Censures Smokies' Coach". Winnipeg Free Press. Winnipeg, Manitoba. May 23, 1963. p. 33.icon of an open green padlock
  5. "Kromm Snaps Back At CAHA Criticism". Brandon Sun. Brandon, Manitoba. May 24, 1963. p. 6.icon of an open green padlock
  6. "Richard Kromm player profile". Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
  7. "Former Wings coach Kromm dies". June 11, 2010. Retrieved June 11, 2010.
  8. "Robert David Kromm Obituary (2010)". Legacy.com. The Detroit News. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
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