Mike Keenan Tenure

Lore & Background

Keenan's tenure with the Florida Panthers began on December 3, 2001, when he was named head coach. He later added the role of general manager. His time in Florida was defined by a major trade in September 2006, when he dealt franchise goaltender Roberto Luongo, along with defenseman Lukas Krajicek and a 2006 sixth-round draft pick (Sergei Shirokov), to the Vancouver Canucks. In return, the Panthers received struggling forward Todd Bertuzzi, goaltender Alex Auld, and defenseman Bryan Allen. Shortly after this trade, on September 3, 2006, Keenan abruptly resigned from his positions. It was speculated that he had lost a power struggle with head coach and longtime friend Jacques Martin over personnel decisions. Martin succeeded Keenan as general manager upon his resignation.

In Their Own Story

In September 2006, the hockey world was stunned when Mike Keenan, who had served as both head coach and general manager of the Florida Panthers, abruptly resigned. The resignation came hot on the heels of a blockbuster trade that sent the Panthers' franchise goaltender, Roberto Luongo, to the Vancouver Canucks. The move was widely seen as a power play that backfired, with Keenan reportedly losing a power struggle with head coach and longtime friend Jacques Martin over personnel decisions. Martin immediately took over as general manager, ending Keenan's tumultuous tenure in South Florida.

Reader's Guide

Mike Keenan's tenure with the Florida Panthers began on December 3, 2001, when he was named head coach. He later also assumed the role of general manager. His most notable action was a trade in September 2006, sending goaltender Roberto Luongo, defenseman Lukas Krajicek, and a draft pick to Vancouver for Todd Bertuzzi, Alex Auld, and Bryan Allen. On September 3, 2006, Keenan resigned from his positions. He was succeeded as general manager by head coach Jacques Martin, who had been a longtime friend of Keenan's. The resignation was speculated to be the result of a power struggle between Keenan and Martin over personnel decisions.

Did You Know?

• Mike Keenan was named head coach of the Florida Panthers on December 3, 2001.
• Keenan also served as general manager of the Florida Panthers during his tenure.
• He traded franchise goaltender Roberto Luongo to the Vancouver Canucks in September 2006.
• Keenan resigned from his positions on September 3, 2006.
• Jacques Martin, a longtime friend, succeeded Keenan as general manager.