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Jim Hiller

Jim Hiller is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger and coach.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Jim Hiller is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger and coach. Born in Port Alberni, British Columbia, he played 63 NHL games for the Los Angeles Kings, Detroit Red Wings, and New York Rangers before moving into coaching, including head-coaching roles in the NHL. In 2026, he was hired as head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Playing career

Hiller played junior and university hockey before turning professional. His NHL career was limited to 63 games, and he spent significant time in minor leagues and later in Europe.

Coaching career

After retiring as a player, Hiller moved into coaching, first in junior hockey and later in the NHL. He worked as an assistant coach with multiple NHL teams before becoming a head coach.

Los Angeles Kings tenure

Hiller joined the Kings' coaching staff in 2022 and became interim head coach in February 2024. He was later named the team's full-time head coach and served through the 2025-26 season.

Toronto Maple Leafs appointment

In June 2026, the Toronto Maple Leafs named Hiller as their head coach. The move came after he had previously worked as an assistant coach for the Maple Leafs from 2015 to 2019.

Key facts

  • Hiller played as a right winger and was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in 1989.
  • He appeared in 63 NHL regular-season games with the Kings, Red Wings, and Rangers.
  • After his NHL playing career, he played in European leagues, including Germany's Deutsche Eishockey Liga and Italy's Serie A.
  • He served as interim and then full-time head coach of the Los Angeles Kings in 2024.
  • In 2026, he was hired as head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
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Canadian context

Hiller is Canadian and from Port Alberni, British Columbia. He also coached and played for several Canadian hockey organizations, including the Toronto Maple Leafs and junior teams in Western Canada.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Jim Hiller?
Jim Hiller is a Canadian ice hockey coach and former NHL winger from British Columbia.
What teams did Jim Hiller play for in the NHL?
He played for the Los Angeles Kings, Detroit Red Wings, and New York Rangers.
How many NHL games did Jim Hiller play?
He played 63 NHL regular-season games.
What is Jim Hiller known for as a coach?
He is known for coaching in the NHL, including head-coaching roles with the Los Angeles Kings and Toronto Maple Leafs.
Where was Jim Hiller born?
He was born in Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Hiller
    Supports: General biography, coaching career, NHL roles, European playing career.
  2. NHL.com — https://www.nhl.com/fr/player/jim-hiller-8456597
    Supports: Date and place of birth, physical data, draft information.
  3. Toronto Maple Leafs / NHL.com — https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/news/maple-leafs-name-jim-hiller-41st-head-coach-in-franchise-history
    Supports: 2026 appointment as head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs and prior Kings head-coaching role.
  4. Northern Michigan University — https://nmuwildcats.com/news/2024/2/2/mens-ice-hockey-jim-hiller-named-la-kings-head-coach.aspx
    Supports: Kings interim head coach appointment, assistant coaching history, NMU championship and hall of fame note.
  5. Los Angeles Times — https://www.latimes.com/sports/hockey/kings/story/2024-05-22/kings-jim-hiller-interim-head-coach-full-time
    Supports: Full-time Kings head coach appointment, playing background, and coaching history.