Bob Francis (ice hockey)

Robert "Bob" Francis (born December 5, 1958 in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada) was an ice hockey head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes from June 1999 to February 2004. He became the first Coyotes coach to win the Jack Adams Award in 2002. He was also a former player for the Detroit Red Wings.

On April 26, 2006 Francis signed a two year-contract to coach HIFK in the Finnish SM-liiga. On December 19, 2006 Francis's contract was terminated ( [http://www.hifk.fi/news/files/10830.php] ).

Minor League Coaching

Before joining the NHL, Francis coached Salt Lake (IHL), Saint John (AHL), and Providence (AHL)

Team Season W L OTL/TSalt Lake 1989-90 37 36 9Salt Lake 1990-91 50 28 5 Salt Lake 1991-92 33 40 9Salt Lake 1992-93 38 39 5 Saint John 1993-94 37 33 10Saint John 1994-95 27 40 13Providence 1995-96 30 36 14Providence 1996-97 35 40 5

NHL Coaching Career

The Coyotes had chosen to hire Bob Francis, who over the past 2 years, had been the assistant coach for the Boston Bruins. His only NHL experience was with the Coyotes. Francis was fired in 2004 after a slow start, and was replaced by assistant coach Rick Bowness.

Team Season W L OT/TPhoenix 1999-00 39 31 12Phoenix 2000-01 35 27 20Phoenix 2001-02 40 27 15Phoenix 2002-03 31 35 16Phoenix 2003-04 20 24 18

Total Record - 165-144-81

PLAYOFFSTeam Season W LPhoenix 1999-00 1 4Phoenix 2001-02 1 4

Total Record - 2-8

Personal

Although he was born in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, he spent much of his youth growing up in Long Beach, New York, where his dad Emile Francis, was coaching the New York Rangers. Bob Francis holds both Canadian and American citizenship.