Dallas Stars' Coach Ken Hitchcock Announces Retirement

DALLAS, TX — Ken Hitchcock, the Dallas Stars' head coach and a 22-year hockey coaching veteran, announced Friday his retirement from coaching in the National Hockey League.

Hitchcock was hired for his second stint with The Stars in April 2017, which led to a record of 40-32-8 in the regular season. But in his total eight seasons with the stars, Hitchcock compiled a 319-186-80 record in 585 career regular-season games.

He currently ranks first in Stars franchise history in games coached (585), wins (319) and points percentage (.614). Hitchcock also amassed a 47-33 record in 80 Stanley Cup Playoff games during his first tenure with the Stars, making five appearances in the postseason.

He guided Dallas to two trips to the Stanley Cup Final and led the Stars to the franchise's first Stanley Cup championship in 1999.

In his career, Hitchcock coached Dallas, Philadelphia, Columbus and St. Louis. He stands third all-time in wins and fourth in games coached. He also compiled a playoff record of 86-82 in 168 career Stanley Cup Playoff appearances.

Stars' owner and governor Tom Gaglardi said the Hall of Fame coach left a legacy with the Dallas team.

"We were honored to have Ken as our head coach and it was fitting that he finished his coaching here," Gaglardi said. "He is a certain Hockey Hall of Fame coach and he left a lasting legacy wherever he went. He will forever be a Dallas Star and I look forward to his continued friendship."

In a public letter, Hitchcock thanked the Stars and the NHL for his lengthy career.

"The game of hockey has been my entire life and I could never repay what the game did for me and all the wonderful people I got to meet in my career," Hitchcock wrote, in part.

You can read the letter in its entirety here.

Getty Images file photo: Ken Hitchcock of the St. Louis Blues walks on the ice in game four of the Western Conference Finals against the San Jose Sharks during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 21, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)