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Ken Holland enters his 10th season as general manager and his 24th year with the Red Wings' organization.
Last season was perhaps Holland's most impressive as a National Hockey League (NHL) general manager. He assembled a team that won the second most games in Red Wings' history (58) along with the Presidents Trophy after drastically cutting payroll to comply with the NHL's new salary cap.
Holland solidified his respect throughout the league as he orchestrated one of the most amazing 24-hour periods in NHL history in his second season's trade deadline day (March 23, 1999). When the dust had settled, Detroit had acquired Chris Chelios, Ulf Samuelsson, Wendel Clark and Bill Ranford. While the Wings' 1999 Stanley Cup run was not to be, Holland's moves were widely regarded as both sound and brilliant as he was applauded for providing Detroit with the best possible chance of winning again.
Just two seasons later, Holland pulled off another amazing flurry of free agent singings in the summer of 2001. It all started May 24, 2001 when Holland secured the first of four veteran players as he signed defenseman Fredrik Olausson fresh out of the Swiss Hockey League. At that time, Olausson had 14 seasons of NHL experience under his belt and was playing for Bern of Swiss league in 2000-01. Holland would keep the Winged Wheel soundly rolling along August 22, 2001 by signing 600+ goal scorer Brett Hull to a two-year contract. As July 1, 2001 came about Holland would trade forward Slava Kozlov and a first round draft pick to the Buffalo Sabres for goaltender extrodinare Dominik Hasek. The very next day, Holland signed free agent forward Luc Robitaille to a two-year deal with a club option for a third season. These four high-profile players fit very well into the organization and tremendously contributed all season to Detroit's overall success in the regular season as well as the 2002 playoffs.
Detroit's 11th GM in the club's 79th season has also worked diligently throughout his tenure to secure new contracts with many Red Wing players. Holland fully believes in keeping the continuity of the team intact to ensure future success of the franchise. Evidence of this is shown in his ability to secure rising stars Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk while inking stabilizing veterans Nicklas Lidstrom and Chris Chelios to new contracts.
Holland's first priority immediately after the team's 2002 Stanley Cup celebration was to resign Dominik Hasek, Chris Chelios and Igor Larionov. Although Hasek was adamant about retirement, Holland wasted no time in signing Curtis Joseph to fill the void in the Detroit crease. He was also able to secure Chelios and Larionov for at least one more season.
Holland's role includes overseeing all aspects of hockey operations including all matters relating to player personnel, development, contract negotiations and player movements. Due to his numerous responsibilities as GM, Holland now plays a less prominent role at the NHL Entry Draft, after being the main point person during his seven years as amateur scouting director. In that capacity, he can be credited with selecting some of Detroit's best young talent, including Vyacheslav Kozlov, Darren McCarty, Chris Osgood and Martin Lapointe, along with several other top prospects.
Holland, 50, was elevated to his present position on July 18, 1997. Prior to that time, he handled several different front-office duties for the club over a 15-year period. Holland began his off-ice career in 1985 following a professional career as a goaltender, primarily in the American Hockey League. His first position was a western Canada scout followed by five years as amateur scouting director and three years as assistant general manager.
A native of Vernon, BC, Holland played in the junior ranks for Medicine Hat (WHL) in 1974-75. He was Toronto's 13th pick (188th overall) in the 1975 draft, but never saw action with the Maple Leafs. Holland twice signed with NHL teams as a free agent - in 1980 with Hartford and 1983 with Detroit. He spent most of his pro career with AHL clubs in Binghamton, Springfield and Adirondack. He made his NHL debut with one game in 1980-81 with Hartford followed by three games in a Detroit Red Wings uniform in 1983-84. In February of 1998, Holland was inducted to the Binghamton Hall of Fame (N.Y.).
Ken and his wife Cindi have four children - Brad, Julie, Rachel and Greg - and reside in suburban Detroit. He is also an avid golfer. | 