Professional Hockey Coach. Following his playing career with the Trail (British Columbia) Smoke Eaters of the World Ice Hockey League (WIHL), he became their head coach in 1961, and guided them to the World Championship title over the Russian team that year. From 1967 to 1975, he served as head coach of the Dallas Black Hawks of the Central Hockey League (CHL), and led them to two league championship titles (1969, 1974). He coached the Winnipeg Jets of the World Hockey Association from 1975 to 1977, and was at the helm, when they won their league championship in 1976. For three seasons, Kromm served as head coach in the National Hockey League with the Detroit Red Wings (1977 to 1980). During his first year with them, he improved their record from 16 wins 55 losses 9 ties the previous season, to a 32 win 34 loss 14 tie record, and secured a second place finish in the Norris Division behind Montreal, earning him the Jack Adams Award as the League's Top Coach (1978). He became the first coach in the franchise's history to receive that honor. Detroit would fall to Montreal 4 games to 1 in the 1978 NHL Quarter-Finals. In 231 career regular season NHL games, Kromm compiled a 79 win 111 loss 41 tie record. His son Richard Kromm played in the NHL from 1983 to 1993. He died from complications of colon cancer.
Professional Hockey Coach. Following his playing career with the Trail (British Columbia) Smoke Eaters of the World Ice Hockey League (WIHL), he became their head coach in 1961, and guided them to the World Championship title over the Russian team that year. From 1967 to 1975, he served as head coach of the Dallas Black Hawks of the Central Hockey League (CHL), and led them to two league championship titles (1969, 1974). He coached the Winnipeg Jets of the World Hockey Association from 1975 to 1977, and was at the helm, when they won their league championship in 1976. For three seasons, Kromm served as head coach in the National Hockey League with the Detroit Red Wings (1977 to 1980). During his first year with them, he improved their record from 16 wins 55 losses 9 ties the previous season, to a 32 win 34 loss 14 tie record, and secured a second place finish in the Norris Division behind Montreal, earning him the Jack Adams Award as the League's Top Coach (1978). He became the first coach in the franchise's history to receive that honor. Detroit would fall to Montreal 4 games to 1 in the 1978 NHL Quarter-Finals. In 231 career regular season NHL games, Kromm compiled a 79 win 111 loss 41 tie record. His son Richard Kromm played in the NHL from 1983 to 1993. He died from complications of colon cancer.
Bio by: C.S.
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