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Ken Holland

Ken Holland is a Canadian ice hockey executive and former goaltender.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Ken Holland is a Canadian ice hockey executive and former goaltender. He is best known for his long tenure as general manager of the Detroit Red Wings, where he helped the team win four Stanley Cups, and for later serving as general manager of the Edmonton Oilers and the Los Angeles Kings.

Early life and playing career

Born in Vernon, British Columbia, Holland developed as a goaltender and played junior hockey in Medicine Hat. He was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1975 NHL draft and appeared in four NHL games during a professional playing career that was spent mostly in the minors.

Front-office career with Detroit

After retiring as a player, Holland moved into scouting and management with the Detroit Red Wings. He became general manager in 1997 and oversaw one of the most successful periods in franchise history, including four Stanley Cup championships.

Later NHL executive roles

Holland left Detroit in 2019 and became general manager of the Edmonton Oilers, a post he held until 2024. He was later hired by the Los Angeles Kings as vice president and general manager.

Honours and recognition

Holland has received several honours for his hockey career and executive work. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in the Builder category in 2020 and has also been recognized by Canadian and British Columbia hockey halls of fame.

Key facts

  • Ken Holland is a Canadian ice hockey executive and former goaltender.
  • He served as general manager of the Detroit Red Wings, winning four Stanley Cups.
  • He later became general manager of the Edmonton Oilers and the Los Angeles Kings.
  • Holland was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a Builder in 2020.
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Canadian context

Holland was born in Vernon, British Columbia, played junior hockey in Canada, and has been a prominent figure in Canadian and NHL hockey management.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Ken Holland?
Ken Holland is a Canadian former goaltender and NHL executive, best known for his long run as general manager of the Detroit Red Wings.
What teams has Ken Holland managed?
He served as general manager of the Detroit Red Wings and the Edmonton Oilers, and later became general manager of the Los Angeles Kings.
How many Stanley Cups did Ken Holland win as a general manager?
He won four Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings as general manager.
Did Ken Holland play in the NHL?
Yes. He played four NHL games as a goaltender, one for Hartford and three for Detroit.
When was Ken Holland inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame?
He was inducted in 2020 in the Builder category.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Holland
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, Canadian nationality, executive roles, and Detroit tenure
  2. Hockey-Referencehttps://www.hockey-reference.com/players/h/hollake01.html
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, playing position, NHL games played, and Hall of Fame induction
  3. BC Hockey Hall of Famehttps://bchhof.com/hall_of_fame_members/ken-holland/
    Supports: Junior career, draft selection, NHL games, and Red Wings front-office progression
  4. BC Sports Hall of Famehttps://bcsportshall.com/honoured_member/ken-holland/
    Supports: Detroit achievements, Stanley Cups, and Olympic management roles
  5. National Hockey Leaguehttps://www.nhl.com/news/ken-holland-named-nhl-hockey-operations-consultant
    Supports: NHL recognition, Hall of Fame Builder induction, and executive résumé
  6. ESPNhttps://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/45148064/kings-hire-former-red-wings-oilers-executive-ken-holland-gm
    Supports: Current Los Angeles Kings role and recent career timeline