Definition
Todd Reirden (born June 8, 1974) is an American former professional ice‑hockey forward and current ice‑hockey coach. He is known for his playing career in the National Hockey League (NHL) and for serving as head coach of the Winnipeg Jets and as an assistant coach for several NHL teams.
Overview
Reirden played junior hockey with the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League before signing as an undrafted free agent with the Washington Capitals in 1993. Over a nine‑year professional playing career (1993–2002) he appeared in 41 NHL games with the Capitals, recording one goal and two assists. The bulk of his playing time was spent in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Capitals’ affiliates, including the Portland Pirates and the Hershey Bearcats, where he was noted for his work‑rate and two‑way play.
Following his retirement as a player, Reirden transitioned to coaching. He served as an assistant coach for the Capitals (2008–2014), contributing to the team’s 2018 Stanley Cup championship as a member of the coaching staff. In June 2016, he was appointed head coach of the Winnipeg Jets, a position he held for the 2016–2017 season before being relieved of his duties. He subsequently worked as an assistant coach with the Boston Bruins (2017–2022) and, as of 2023, serves as an assistant coach for the Seattle Kraken.
Etymology/Origin
- Todd: An English given name derived from the Middle English word “todde,” meaning “fox.”
- Reirden: A surname of Germanic origin, likely a variant of “Riedern” or “Reider,” which may be habitational, referring to someone from a place named Ried or a derivative of “Ried,” meaning “reed” or “marshy land” in German.
Characteristics
- Playing style: Reirden was recognized as a gritty, defensively responsible forward who contributed primarily in a checking role and on penalty killing.
- Coaching style: As a coach, he has been described as emphasizing strong defensive systems, special‑teams proficiency, and player development. His tenure with the Capitals and Bruins coincided with periods of strong defensive performance for those clubs.
- Notable achievements:
- Part of the Washington Capitals coaching staff that won the 2018 Stanley Cup.
- Served as head coach of an NHL franchise (Winnipeg Jets).
- Accumulated over 1,000 professional games played across the NHL and AHL.
Related Topics
- National Hockey League (NHL)
- Washington Capitals
- Winnipeg Jets
- Boston Bruins
- Seattle Kraken
- Ice‑hockey coaching and player development
- American Hockey League (AHL)
All information presented is based on publicly available records and reputable sports references.