Former Flyers Coach Bill Dineen Dies at Age 84

Former Philadelphia Flyers coach Bill Dineen, 84, died Friday night, according to Tim Panaccio of CSN Philly.

"Bill was the patriarch of the famous Dineen family," Flyers president Paul Holmgren said in the team's release. "His eye for talent and his tremendous coaching record are secondary to his love of life and people. The NHL family has lost a wonderful hockey guy. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bill's family at this difficult time."

The American Hockey League provided a statement from AHL President David Andrews: "During his time as a player and coach, and in the values he instilled in his family, [Dineen] created a legacy of greatness in the American Hockey League that still resonates today. Our deepest condolences go out to the entire Dineen family at this time."

Dineen spent five seasons in the NHL as a player from 1953 to 1958. The bulk of that time came with the Detroit Red Wings. He scored 47 goals and assisted on 35 more in 282 games. He also played half a season with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville released a statement on Dineen, per Tracey Myers of CSN Chicago: 

Dineen retired after the 1970-71 campaign, having enjoyed a successful 14-year stint in the minor leagues.

After retiring, Dineen moved behind the bench. He coached the Houston Aeros in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1978 and led the New England Whalers for a year in 1978-79. He won two titles in the AHL with the Adirondack Red Wings (1985-86 and 1988-89) before the Flyers hired him in the middle of the 1991-92 season.

The Flyers missed the playoffs that year and then again in 1992-93, after which the team fired him and replaced him with Terry Simpson.

While working with Philadelphia, Dineen coached his son, Kevin, who was one of three Dineen children to play in the NHL.