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Todd Reirden
Todd Reirden
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Todd R. Reirden (born June 25, 1971) is an American professional ice hockey coach and former player. He is an assistant coach for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously held head coaching positions for the Washington Capitals in the NHL and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the American Hockey League (AHL). Reirden played in the NHL for the St. Louis Blues, Phoenix Coyotes, Atlanta Thrashers, and Edmonton Oilers.

Key Information

Playing career

[edit]

As a youth, Reirden played in the 1984 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the Chicago Young Americans minor ice hockey team.[1]

Reirden was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the 12th round, 242nd overall in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft. After being drafted, Reirden went to Bowling Green State University where he played for four years.[citation needed] From there he played in the ECHL and IHL for a number of years before finally getting the call up to the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers for part of the 1998–99 season.[citation needed] Following his brief stint with the Oilers, Reirden signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Blues and had his most successful season in the NHL during the 1999–2000 season, scoring 25 points. The following year Reirden was hurt for most of the year and played only 38 games with the Blues.[citation needed] Reirden then played the 2001–02 season with the Atlanta Thrashers. He played his last tour in the NHL with the Phoenix Coyotes during the 2003–04 season, playing in 7 games.[citation needed]

In the 2005–06 season, Reirden played for the DEG Metro Stars of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga in Germany and his last season as a player was split between EC Graz of the Austrian Hockey League and SønderjyskE Ishockey in Denmark's Superisligaen.[citation needed]

Coaching career

[edit]

Reirden's first coaching job was as an assistant coach for the Bowling Green Falcons during the 2007–08 season.[2]

On July 31, 2010, Reirden was named assistant coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins, joining fellow assistant coach Tony Granato on the bench.[3] He replaced Mike Yeo, who left the organization to become the head coach for the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League (AHL).

On June 25, 2014, the Penguins announced that Reirden and Granato had been relieved of their duties. On June 26, Reirden was hired by the Washington Capitals as an assistant coach.[4] On June 29, 2018, Reirden became the head coach of the Capitals,[5] replacing Barry Trotz who, after winning the Stanley Cup with the Capitals, left the team due to a contract dispute.[6] In his first season as head coach of the Capitals, he guided them to a 48–26–8 record and the top record in the NHL's Metropolitan Division, but they lost in the First Round of the playoffs to the Carolina Hurricanes in seven games. After the Capitals again lost in the first round of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Capitals fired Reirden on August 23, 2020.[7] A week later, he was hired as an assistant coach by his former team, the Pittsburgh Penguins. Pittsburgh released Reirden in May 2024.[8]

On June 20, 2025, Reirden was hired to be an assistant coach with the Philadelphia Flyers.[9]

Career statistics

[edit]
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1990–91 Bowling Green State University CCHA 28 1 5 6 22
1991–92 Bowling Green State University CCHA 33 8 7 15 34
1992–93 Bowling Green State University CCHA 41 8 17 25 48
1993–94 Bowling Green State University CCHA 38 7 23 30 56
1994–95 Tallahassee Tiger Sharks ECHL 43 5 25 30 61 13 2 5 7 10
1994–95 Albany River Rats AHL 2 0 1 1 2
1994–95 Raleigh Icecaps ECHL 26 2 13 15 33
1995–96 Tallahassee Tiger Sharks ECHL 7 1 3 4 10
1995–96 Chicago Wolves IHL 31 0 2 2 39 9 0 2 2 16
1995–96 Jacksonville Lizard Kings ECHL 15 1 10 11 41 1 0 2 2 4
1996–97 Chicago Wolves IHL 57 3 10 13 108
1996–97 San Antonio Dragons IHL 23 2 5 7 51 9 0 1 1 17
1997–98 San Antonio Dragons IHL 70 5 14 19 132
1997–98 Fort Wayne Komets IHL 11 2 2 4 16 4 0 2 2 4
1998–99 Edmonton Oilers NHL 17 2 3 5 20
1998–99 Hamilton Bulldogs AHL 58 9 25 34 84 11 0 5 5 6
1999–00 St. Louis Blues NHL 56 4 21 25 32 4 0 1 1 0
2000–01 St. Louis Blues NHL 38 2 4 6 43 1 0 0 0 0
2000–01 Worcester IceCats AHL 7 2 6 8 20
2001–02 Atlanta Thrashers NHL 65 3 5 8 82
2002–03 Cincinnati Mighty Ducks AHL 58 7 13 20 97
2003–04 Cincinnati Mighty Ducks AHL 39 3 8 11 42
2003–04 Springfield Falcons AHL 34 6 7 13 42
2003–04 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 7 0 2 2 4
2004–05 Houston Aeros AHL 52 3 5 8 56 5 0 0 0 6
2005–06 DEG Metro Stars DEL 37 4 13 17 72 14 0 4 4 10
2006–07 EC Graz EBEL 15 2 6 8 24
NHL totals 183 11 56 67 181 5 0 1 1 0

Head coaching record

[edit]
Team Year Regular season Postseason
G W L OTL Pts Finish W L Win% Result
WSH 2018–19 82 48 23 8 104 1st in Metropolitan 3 4 .429 Lost in first round (CAR)
WSH 2019–20 69 41 20 8 90 1st in Metropolitan 2 6 .250 Lost in first round (NYI)
Total 151 89 46 16     5 10 .333 2 playoff appearances

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Todd Reirden (born June 25, 1971) is an American professional ice hockey coach and former defenseman. He currently serves as an assistant coach for the of the National Hockey League (NHL), a role he assumed in June 2025. Reirden's career spans playing in 183 NHL games across four teams and a coaching tenure that includes two championships as part of organizational staffs, along with head coaching experience in the NHL. Reirden honed his defensive skills at in the (CCHA) from 1990 to 1994 before embarking on a professional playing career. Drafted by the in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft (12th round, 242nd overall), he never played for them but appeared in the NHL with the (1998–99), (1999–2002), (2001–02), and Phoenix Coyotes (2003–04), tallying 11 goals, 35 assists, and 46 points in 183 games. His experience was extensive, including 250 games in the (AHL) with teams like the and , as well as stints in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL), International Hockey League (IHL), (DEL), and Austrian Hockey League, where he played until retiring in 2007. Transitioning to coaching, Reirden returned to as an assistant coach for the 2007–08 season. He advanced to head coach of the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins from 2008 to 2010, contributing to the ' extended coaching staff during their 2009 victory. Reirden then joined the as an assistant coach from 2010 to 2014, focusing on defensive strategies. Moving to the Washington Capitals as associate coach in 2014, he helped lead the team to its first in 2018 before succeeding as head coach. As head coach of the Capitals from 2018 to 2020, Reirden compiled an 89–46–16 record over 151 regular-season games, guiding the team to consecutive titles but advancing only to the second round of the playoffs both years, leading to his dismissal in August 2020. He returned to the Penguins as associate coach from 2020 to 2024, overseeing units, before parting ways with the organization in May 2024 and joining the Flyers' staff under head coach .

Playing career

College and amateur career

Todd Reirden was born on June 25, 1971, in . As a youth, he developed his hockey skills in the area. This early exposure to competitive play helped lay the foundation for his growth as a defenseman. Reirden attended Tabor Academy, a preparatory school in Marion, , where he excelled in high school hockey. He emerged as a standout player, recognized for his physical presence and two-way capabilities on the blue line. Reirden continued his development at from 1990 to 1994, playing for the Falcons in the (CCHA). Over 140 games, he recorded 24 goals and 52 assists for 76 points, showcasing steady improvement as a workhorse defenseman with a heavy shot. His freshman year (1990–91) saw 6 points in 28 games, followed by 15 points in 33 games as a (1991–92), 25 points in 41 games during his junior season (1992–93), and 30 points in 38 games as a senior (1993–94). At , Reirden contributed to team efforts in a competitive conference, honing his defensive reliability and offensive contributions from the back end. Prior to his college commitment, Reirden was selected by the in the 12th round, 242nd overall, of the 1990 NHL Entry Draft while at Tabor Academy. Scouts noted his size (6-foot-5, 225 pounds), physicality, and potential as a two-way defenseman capable of transitioning play effectively, though he opted to pursue NCAA eligibility rather than sign immediately.

Professional playing career

Reirden signed his first professional contract with the New Jersey Devils organization after college and was assigned to their AHL affiliate, the Albany River Rats, for the 1994–95 season, where he appeared in just two games, recording one assist. He spent the bulk of his early professional years developing in lower minor leagues, including the ECHL with the Tallahassee Tiger Sharks (43 games, 5 goals, 25 assists in 1994–95) and the IHL with the Chicago Wolves and San Antonio Dragons, establishing himself as a physical, stay-at-home defenseman with strong fundamentals carried over from his college days at Bowling Green. By the 1997–98 season in the IHL with San Antonio, he logged 70 games with 5 goals and 14 assists while accumulating 132 penalty minutes, showcasing his robust defensive style. Reirden earned his first significant AHL opportunity in 1998–99 with the , Edmonton's affiliate, where he posted career-best minor-league numbers with 9 goals and 25 assists in 58 games, helping the team reach the playoffs. That performance led to his NHL debut with the later that season, suiting up for 17 games as a third-pairing defenseman with 2 goals and 3 assists. He was claimed off waivers by the from Edmonton in the 1999 offseason and became a regular, playing 56 games in 1999–2000 with 4 goals and 21 assists while posting a plus-18 rating in a defensive role alongside pairings like . His tenure with St. Louis continued in 2000–01, limited to 38 games due to minor injuries, contributing 2 goals and 4 assists amid 43 penalty minutes. After signing with the as a in 2001, Reirden shifted to a more physical enforcer role on the expansion team's blue line, appearing in all 65 games during the 2001–02 season with 3 goals, 5 assists, and a team-high 82 penalty minutes among defensemen, though his plus-minus suffered at minus-25 on a struggling squad. In the 2002–03 season, Reirden played for the of the AHL ( affiliate), where he recorded 7 goals and 13 assists in 58 games. Reirden's final NHL stint came with the Phoenix Coyotes in 2003–04, limited to 7 games with 2 assists before spending most of the year in the AHL with and the , totaling 24 points (9 goals and 15 assists) in 73 minor-league games. Over his NHL career spanning four teams, Reirden played 183 regular-season games, scoring 11 goals and 35 assists for 46 points and 181 penalty minutes, primarily as a reliable depth defenseman valued for his physicality and shot-blocking. Following the , Reirden returned to the AHL with the Houston Aeros, Minnesota's affiliate, where he recorded 3 goals and 5 assists in 52 games while mentoring younger players. At age 34, he transitioned to overseas leagues to extend his career, signing with DEG Metro of Germany's for 2005–06, contributing 4 goals and 13 assists in 37 games en route to a German championship, including 4 playoff points. In 2006–07, he split time between EC of Austria's (2 goals, 6 assists in 15 games) and SønderjyskE Ishockey of Denmark's Superliga (5 goals, 10 assists in 22 games, plus 8 playoff points), rounding out his professional playing career abroad amid diminishing NHL opportunities due to age and the league's return from the lockout.

Coaching career

Early coaching roles

Following his retirement from professional hockey in 2007, Todd Reirden transitioned into as an assistant with the Falcons men's team, his , for the 2007–08 season. Drawing on his experience as a defenseman, Reirden focused on defensive strategies and player development for the backend, helping to mentor young players in positional play and puck movement. The Falcons finished the season with an 18–21–0 overall record in the (CCHA), qualifying for the conference playoffs but falling in the quarterfinals to . In 2008, Reirden advanced to professional coaching as an assistant with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the (AHL), the top minor-league affiliate of the . Under head coach , Reirden's primary responsibilities included overseeing the defensive unit and the power play, emphasizing structured breakouts and special-teams efficiency to build foundational skills among prospects transitioning from junior and college ranks. The Penguins enjoyed a strong regular season, posting a 42–25–7–6 record to finish third in the East Division with 104 points, before advancing to the division finals in the playoffs, where they lost to the eventual champions, the . Reirden's tenure with the Penguins organization continued into the 2009–10 season after Bylsma's promotion to the NHL head coaching role in February 2009, during which Reirden served as interim head coach for the remainder of the 2008–09 campaign before being named the full-time head coach. In this entry-level professional role, he prioritized power-play development, contributing to improved special-teams execution that supported the team's competitive edge; the Penguins ranked among the AHL's top offensive clubs during his time there. The 2009–10 squad finished 41–34–5, securing another playoff berth and reaching the conference finals, marking Reirden's first significant exposure to high-level prospect management within a Stanley Cup contender's system.

NHL assistant positions

Reirden began his NHL coaching career as an assistant with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2010, where he primarily handled responsibilities for the defensive unit and power play. During his four seasons, the Penguins' power play ranked among the league's more efficient units, converting at rates of 15.8% in 2010–11, 19.7% in 2011–12, 24.7% in 2012–13, and 23.4% in 2013–14, contributing to consistent offensive output from the blue line. He worked closely with defenseman Kris Letang, refining positioning and decision-making to enhance Letang's two-way play, which helped the team reach the Eastern Conference Final in 2013. In 2014, Reirden joined the as an assistant coach under , later promoted to associate coach in 2016, with oversight of the defense and . His implementation of a structured defensive system was instrumental in transforming the Capitals' back end, leading to significant improvements in goals against; in the 2017–18 season, Washington allowed just 2.47 goals per game, the second-fewest in the NHL, bolstering their league-leading penalty kill at 83.5%. These enhancements were key to the team's first championship in 2018, where Reirden's strategies emphasized tight checking and quick transitions, limiting opponents to under three goals per game during the playoffs en route to defeating the in five games. Reirden returned to the Penguins in 2020 as an assistant coach, focusing on the defensive group and power play, before his promotion to associate coach in August 2022 accompanied by a two-year contract extension. Although his primary duties centered on defense and special teams offense, the team showed resilience in penalty kill efficiency, ranking 12th league-wide at 80.7% in 2021–22. Under his guidance, Pittsburgh made the playoffs in 2021–22 and 2022–23, advancing to the first round each time, though they were eliminated early both years. In 2022, Reirden served as an assistant coach for the at the Winter Olympics in , helping guide the team to a fourth-place finish. On June 20, 2025, the hired Reirden as an assistant coach under Rick , assigning him to oversee the defensive zone coverage and penalty kill units. Early in the 2025–26 season, his influence has contributed to an overachieving defense, ranking in the NHL's top 10 for through November, with expectations for sustained structure to support the Flyers' young core in their push for playoff contention.

Head coaching tenure

Following Barry Trotz's resignation on June 17, 2018 (announced June 18), due to a contract dispute after leading the Capitals to their first , Todd Reirden was promoted to on June 29, 2018. Reirden, who had served as associate coach for the previous two seasons and assistant coach before that, was selected for his familiarity with the roster and defensive coaching expertise. In his introductory , Reirden stressed continuity in the team's systems, emphasizing a seamless transition to maintain the structure that contributed to the 2018 championship while building on player relationships. During the 2018–19 season, Reirden guided the Capitals to a 48–26–8 record, securing their fourth consecutive title with 104 points. His tenure featured tactical adjustments focused on player development, particularly enhancing the offensive contributions of defensemen, which propelled John Carlson to a career-high 68 points and a fourth-place finish in Norris Trophy voting that year. The team advanced to the but exited in the first round, losing 4–3 to the despite a strong regular-season performance. In 2019–20, Reirden's squad posted a 41–20–8 mark before the pause, again claiming the . Carlson's continued growth under Reirden's guidance culminated in a league-leading 75 points from the blue line, earning him the Norris Trophy as the NHL's top defenseman. The Capitals qualified for the in the bubble, defeating the 3–2 in the round-robin but falling 4–1 to the in the first round, marking another early exit. Over two seasons, Reirden compiled an 89–46–16 regular-season record, prioritizing defensive structure and offensive transitions informed by his prior assistant role. Reirden was fired on August 23, 2020, three days after the Islanders' series victory in the bubble , as the organization sought to address recurring postseason shortcomings. General manager Brian MacLellan cited a decline in team structure and compete level since late , particularly evident in the bubble where the Capitals managed just a 1.57 percentage against the Islanders. The decision reflected broader organizational priorities to inject new leadership for deeper playoff runs, despite Reirden's regular-season successes. In a statement, Reirden reflected on his tenure as an honor, highlighting the privilege of coaching a talented group and developing players like Carlson, while acknowledging the challenges of sustaining championship intensity amid back-to-back first-round disappointments.

Career statistics

NHL statistics

Reirden played 183 games in the National Hockey League (NHL) across five seasons from 1998 to 2004, accumulating 11 goals, 35 assists, 46 points, 181 penalty minutes, and a -14 plus-minus rating. His most productive season came in 1999–2000 with the , when he recorded 4 goals and 21 assists for 25 points in 56 games.

Regular season

SeasonTeamGPGAPtsPIM+/-
1998–991723520-1
1999–00564212532+18
2000–013824643-2
2001–026535882-25
2003–04Phoenix Coyotes70224-4
Total183113546181-14

Playoffs

SeasonTeamGPGAPtsPIM+/-
1999–0040110-1
2000–01100000
Total50110-1

International and minor league statistics

Reirden began his career in the during the 1994–95 season, splitting time between the and Tallahassee Tiger Sharks, before moving to the Jacksonville Lizard Kings and returning briefly to Tallahassee in 1995–96. Over 91 regular season games in the league, he recorded 9 goals and 51 assists for 60 points, along with 145 penalty minutes.

ECHL Statistics

Regular Season

SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIM
1994–95262131533
1994–95Tallahassee Tiger Sharks435253061
1995–96Tallahassee Tiger Sharks713410
1995–96Jacksonville Lizard Kings151101141
Total9195160145

Playoffs

SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIM
1994–95Tallahassee Tiger Sharks1325710
1995–96Jacksonville Lizard Kings10224
Total1427914

IHL Statistics

Reirden played in the International Hockey League (IHL) from 1995 to 1998 with teams including the and Dragons. In 192 regular season games, he recorded 12 goals and 33 assists for 45 points, along with 346 penalty minutes. He appeared in 22 playoff games, recording 5 points.

Regular Season

SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIM
1995–96IHL3102239
1996–97IHL5731013108
1996–97San Antonio DragonsIHL2325751
1997–98San Antonio DragonsIHL7051419132
1997–98IHL1122416
Total192123345346

Playoffs

SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIM
1995–96IHL902216
1996–97San Antonio DragonsIHL901117
1997–98IHL40224
Total2205537
Reirden's AHL career spanned from 1994 to 2005, primarily as a defenseman for teams including the , , , , , and Houston Aeros. In 250 regular season games, he tallied 30 goals and 65 assists for 95 points, accumulating 343 penalty minutes. He appeared in 16 playoff games, recording 5 points.

AHL Statistics

Regular Season

SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIM
1994–95Albany River RatsAHL20112
1998–99Hamilton BulldogsAHL589253484
2000–01Worcester IceCatsAHL726820
2002–03Cincinnati Mighty DucksAHL587132097
2003–04Cincinnati Mighty DucksAHL39381142
2003–04Springfield FalconsAHL34671342
2004–05Houston AerosAHL5235856
Total250306595343

Playoffs

SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIM
1998–99Hamilton BulldogsAHL110556
2004–05Houston AerosAHL50006
Total1605512
Following his NHL stints, he continued playing in international professional leagues from 2005 to 2007, including Germany's DEL with DEG Metro Stars, Austria's EBEL with Graz99ers, and Denmark's top league with SønderjyskE. Across these seasons, he played 74 regular season games, scoring 11 goals and 29 assists for 40 points.

International Statistics

SeasonTeam/EventLeague/TournamentGPGAPtsPIM
2005–06DEG Metro Stars (Germany)374131772
2005–06DEG Metro Stars Playoffs1404410
2006–07Graz99ers ()1526824
2006–07SønderjyskE225101536
2006–07SønderjyskE Playoffs1335816
Total (European Leagues Regular)74112940132

Head coaching record

Regular season record

As head coach of the from 2018 to 2020, Todd Reirden compiled a regular season record of 89 wins, 46 losses, and 16 losses in 151 games, achieving a points percentage of .642.
SeasonGPWLOTLPTSPTS%Finish
2018–198248268104.6341st, Metropolitan
2019–20694120890.6521st, Metropolitan
Total151894616194.642
The Capitals won the in both seasons under Reirden, benefiting from the continuity of the 2018 Stanley Cup-winning coaching staff.

Playoff record

Reirden's playoff record as of the spanned two seasons, resulting in an aggregate of 15 games played, 5 wins, 10 losses, and a .333 . In the 2018–19 playoffs, the Capitals faced the in the Eastern Conference First Round and lost the best-of-seven series 3–4 after seven games. The team won Games 1, 3, and 6 but dropped the decisive Game 7 by a 4–0 score. The 2019–20 postseason, shortened and restructured due to the , included a among the top four Eastern Conference seeds to determine playoff seeding, followed by a best-of-seven first round. The Capitals went 1–2 in the round-robin, defeating the 2–1 but losing 1–3 to the and 2–3 in a to the . Seeded third, they then met the in the Eastern Conference First Round and lost 1–4 after five games, winning only Game 4 by a 3–2 score.
SeasonRoundOpponentResultSeries Record (W-L)Games Played
2018–19Eastern Conference First RoundLost3–47
2019–20Round RobinVarious (BOS, PHI, TBL)N/A1–23
2019–20Eastern Conference First RoundLost1–45
Total---5–1015
Despite qualifying for the in both years with strong regular-season performances and first-place finishes in the , Reirden's Capitals struggled with postseason execution and were eliminated in the first round on both occasions.

References

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