Jim Hiller was named coach of the Los Angeles Kings Wednesday, replacing the ousted Todd McLellan.
Hiller, who served as an assistant coach the past two seasons, was elevated to interim coach in February following McLellan’s firing on Feb. 2. In the 34 games Hiller led the team, the Kings went 21-12-1, giving them the 10th best points percentage in the league during that span, according to the team.
“Under Hiller’s guidance, the Kings were statistically the best home team from the All-Star Break through the end of the regular-season, accumulating a league-leading 14 wins (14-3-1), 29 points and .806 points percentage in 18 games at Crypto.com Arena,” according to a team statement. “The club finished the regular-season winning nine of their last 10 home contests, which included eight consecutive victories on home ice from March 11 through April 13 to mark the team’s longest home winning streak since their eight-game run (8-0-0; Oct. 12-Nov. 13) in the 2010-11 campaign.”
Hiller, 55, was hired as an assistant coach on July 19, 2022, after serving in the same capacity over the previous eight seasons with the New York Islanders, Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings.