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Ralph Krueger

{{Short description|German ice hockey player and coach}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}

{{Infobox officeholder

| image = Training Camp 2013-040-Coach Krueger.jpg

| image_size = 230px

| caption = Krueger in 2013

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1959|8|31|df=y}}

| birth_place = Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

| nationality = Canadian, German & Swiss

| occupation = Sportsman

| module = {{Infobox ice hockey biography

| embed = yes

| coached_for = Edmonton Oilers
Buffalo Sabres

| career_start_coach = 1992

| career_end_coach = 2021

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 0

| weight_lb = 190

| position = Right wing

| shoots = Right

| played_for = Düsseldorfer EG
Schwenninger ERC
SC Riessersee
ECD Iserlohn
Sportbund DJK Rosenheim

| draft = Undrafted

| ntl_team = FRG

| career_start = 1978

| career_end = 1991

}}

| office = Chairman of Southampton F.C.

| termstart = 12 March 2014

| termend = 12 April 2019

| predecessor = Katharina Liebherr

| successor = Martin Semmens

| children = Justin Krueger

}}

Ralph Krueger (born 31 August 1959) is a Canadian-born German professional ice hockey coach and former player. He is the former head coach of the Edmonton Oilers and Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL), and former chairman of Southampton Football Club. Since April 2019, he has held a Swiss passport.{{Cite web|url=https://www.blick.ch/sport/eishockey/nati/der-ehemalige-coach-der-hockey-nati-hat-den-roten-pass-ralph-krueger-ist-jetzt-schweizer-id15290002.html|title=Eishockey: Ex-Nati-Coach Ralph Krueger ist jetzt Schweizer!|last=Bingesser|first=Felix|date=2019-04-25|website=Blick|access-date=2019-04-26}}

He was head coach of the Swiss men's national ice hockey team from the 1997–98 season until the end of the XXI Olympic Winter Games in 2010 and the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL) during the 2012–13 season.[http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=518830 Swiss a revelation in Krueger's last tournament]. Retrieved 27 March 2010. In 2014, Krueger shifted from hockey to the world of association football, to become director of English Premier League team Southampton.[http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/22/southampton-set-to-hire-ex-nhl-coach-ralph-krueger-as-director/ Southampton set to hire ex-NHL coach Ralph Krueger as director]. NBC Sports - ProSoccer Talk, 22 January 2014. Retrieved 25 February 2014. On 12 March 2014, Krueger was appointed the chairman of Southampton F.C.{{cite web|title=Ralph Krueger named Southampton chairman|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26545304|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=12 March 2014|date=12 March 2014}} In April 2019, Krueger left the club to return to hockey full time.

He is also known for his involvement in the World Economic Forum, where since 2011 he has been a Member, Global Agenda Council on New Models of Leadership.{{cite web|url=https://www.weforum.org/communities/global-future-councils/|title=Global Future Councils|website=World Economic Forum}}

Playing career

Krueger came to Germany in the late 1970s, joining second-division side Duisburger SC. After one year, he returned to Canada, but was back in Germany in 1980 and would stay there for the remainder of his playing days. He saw action in 350 games of the German Bundesliga, accumulating 187 goals and 186 assists. In the 1980–81 season, as a member of Düsseldorfer EG, he led the league in scoring during the playoffs, with 22 points. He also played 45 games for the West German national ice hockey team.

Coaching career

Krueger began his coaching career as an assistant with EV Duisburg of the German second league. Between 1994 and 1998, he led VEU Feldkirch to five straight Austrian championships, culminating in Feldkirch becoming champions in 1998 of the European Hockey League, made up of the champions of various European leagues. This experience later encouraged him to author a motivational book.Ralph Krueger: Teamlife - Über Niederlagen zum Erfolg; Werd Verlag, Zürich 2001; {{ISBN|3-85932-357-1}} After the successes with the Austrian team, he took over as full-time head coach of the Swiss national ice hockey team, having split his time between Feldkirch and Switzerland in 1998. His tenure with the Swiss national team has also seen some notable successes. He led the team to appearances at the 2002, 2006 and 2010 Olympic Games and to several World Championship appearances.{{cite news|url=https://buffalonews.com/2019/12/10/buffalo-sabres-ralph-krueger-switzerland-iihf-world-championship-patrick-fischer-peter-zahner-nhl-news-2019/|title=Ralph Krueger changed an entire country's approach to hockey. Next: Buffalo.|date=10 December 2019|agency=The Buffalo News|author=Lysowski, Lance|access-date=11 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210222448/https://buffalonews.com/2019/12/10/buffalo-sabres-ralph-krueger-switzerland-iihf-world-championship-patrick-fischer-peter-zahner-nhl-news-2019/|archive-date=10 December 2019}} Krueger was also a scouting consultant for the Carolina Hurricanes.{{cite web|url=http://www.iihf.com/home-of-hockey/news/news-singleview/article/swiss-duo-in-edmonton/Swiss%20duo%20in%20Edmonton.html?tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=187&cHash=cb55a19f45|title=Swiss duo in Edmonton|last=Merk|first=Martin|date=9 September 2010 |work=IIHF|access-date= 2 January 2011}}

Krueger spoke at the World Hockey Summit in 2010, and addressed the need to co-ordinate International Ice Hockey Federation and National Hockey League events.{{cite web|url=http://prohockeynews.com/summit-to-discuss-global-hockey-issues/|title=Summit to discuss global hockey issues|last=Money|first=Don|date=14 August 2020|website=Pro Hockey News|access-date=11 April 2020}} He suggested that the World Cup of Hockey be played every four years, alternating with the Olympic Games every two years. He wanted to see the Ice Hockey World Championships became an under-23 event during Olympic years.{{cite web|url=https://www.puckworlds.com/2010/8/26/1649306/different-cultures|title=Different Cultures|last=Peter|first=Bruce|date=26 August 2010|website=Puck Worlds|access-date=25 May 2020}} He felt it would be beneficial to national teams to evaluate their younger talent at the international level. He wanted to resurrect the Champions Hockey League and Victoria Cup competitions, which he felt would make the game more popular in Europe.{{cite web|url=https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/news/ralph-krueger-with-master-plan-for-international-hockey|title=From LA Suisse to the Edmonton Oilers, Ralph Krueger Pitches a Master Plan For International Hockey in 4-Year Cycle|last=Podnieks|first=Andrew|author-link=Andrew Podnieks|date=25 August 2010|website=Hockey Canada|access-date=25 May 2020}}

Krueger joined the Oilers as associate coach in 2010. Although during his time with the Swiss team, Krueger may have been known as a defensive-minded coach, he has also demonstrated the ability to deliver the offensive style of game. This was confirmed by his performance as coach for VEU Feldkirch in Austria. He has been described as a great communicator, positive thinker and a motivator. The book he authored (in German, also translated into French), called Teamlife - Beyond Setbacks to Success, was devoted to handling problems in life, and became a bestseller.[https://lfpress.com/sports/hockey/2012/06/03/19833056-qmi.html Krueger an 'Alpha-animal']. London Free Press, 4 June 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2014.

The Oilers promoted Krueger to head coach for the 2012–13 NHL season, but he was relieved of his duties after only one season.{{cite news | url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/edmonton-oilers-fire-ralph-krueger-as-head-coach-1.1307906 | title=Edmonton Oilers fire Ralph Krueger as head coach | work=CBC | date=8 June 2013 | access-date=8 June 2013 | author=Kelly, Malcolm}} Hockey Canada subsequently added Krueger as a special adviser to its coaching staff for the 2014 Winter Olympics.{{cite web|url=https://nhl.nbcsports.com/2013/07/21/report-ralph-krueger-is-on-canadas-olympic-coaching-staff/|title=Report: Ralph Krueger is on Canada's Olympic coaching staff|first=James|last=O'Brien|date=22 July 2013}}[https://vancouversun.com/sports/Krueger+hired+Canadian+Olympic+teams+inside/8832316/story.html Krueger hired as Canadian Olympic team's inside man]. Vancouver Sun, 25 August 2013. Retrieved 3 October 2013.

Krueger was chosen to coach Team Europe in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.[https://www.nhl.com/news/maurice-krueger-reunite-on-team-europe-staff/c-787641 Maurice, Krueger reunite on Team Europe staff.] NHL News. Retrieved 13 May 2013.

On 15 May 2019, Krueger returned to the NHL as the head coach of the Buffalo Sabres.{{cite web |title=Sabres name Ralph Krueger head coach |url=https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/sabres-name-ralph-krueger-head-coach/c-307400374 |website=NHL.com |access-date=15 May 2019 |date=15 May 2019}} The Sabres fired Krueger on 17 March 2021. At the time, the Sabres were on a 12-game winless streak and held the worst record in the league.{{cite web |last1=Ryndak |first1=Chris |title=Sabres relieve Krueger of coaching duties |url=https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/sabres-relieve-fire-krueger-of-coaching-duties/c-322605124 |website=NHL.com |access-date=31 March 2021 |date=17 March 2021}}{{cite web |title=Buffalo Sabres fire coach Ralph Krueger after 12-game skid |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/31080330/buffalo-sabres-fire-coach-ralph-krueger-12-game-skid |website=ESPN.com |access-date=17 March 2021 |date=17 March 2021}}

=Soccer=

In 2014, Krueger made the switch from ice hockey to soccer, becoming director of Southampton in February 2014. Shortly after, he was appointed chairman of the club.{{cite web |last=Smith|first=Ben|title=Ice hockey chief Ralph Krueger poised to start Southampton role |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26328115|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=25 February 2014|date=24 February 2014}}{{cite web|title=Incoming Saints director Ralph Krueger will leave Mauricio Pochettino to work |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11700/9182858/premier-league-incoming-saints-director-ralph-krueger-will-leave-mauricio-pochettino-to-work |publisher=Sky Sport|access-date=25 February 2014|date=24 February 2014}} He was dismissed on April 12, 2019; set to leave on June 30 when his contract expired.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47907336|title=Southampton chairman Ralph Krueger leaves the club|work=BBC Sport |date=12 April 2019}}

Personal life

Born in Winnipeg, Krueger was raised in Steinbach, Manitoba. His parents were immigrants from Germany.{{Cite news|url = https://www.faz.net/aktuell/sport/wintersport/nhl-kruegers-mission-bei-den-oilers-12054998.html|title = NHL Kruegers Mission bei den Oilers|last = Klemm|first = Thomas|date = 2013-02-07|newspaper = Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung|language = de|issn = 0174-4909|access-date = 2016-03-09}} He attended St. John's-Ravenscourt School where he played hockey as a centre.{{cite web|last1=Johnson|first1=George|url=https://calgaryherald.com/sports/Johnson+Former+Edmonton+Oilers+head+coach+Ralph+Krueger+settling+into+role+Southampton+chair/9628507/story.html|title=Johnson: Former Edmonton Oilers head coach Ralph Krueger settling into role as Southampton FC chair| website = www.calgaryherald.com|access-date=16 August 2014}} His son Justin was a member of the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League and now plays for SC Bern. Justin played for Germany's men's national ice hockey team at the 2017 IIHF World Championship.{{cite web|url=https://stats.iihf.com/Hydra/230/IHM2300GER_33_3_0.pdf|work=IIHF|title=Team Roster Germany, May 2010}}[http://www.iihf.com/home-of-hockey/news/news-singleview/article/krueger-cheers-for-son/Krueger%20cheers%20for%20son.html?tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=187&cHash=a337681d46 Krueger cheers for son] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018101801/http://www.iihf.com/home-of-hockey/news/news-singleview/article/krueger-cheers-for-son/Krueger%20cheers%20for%20son.html?tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=187&cHash=a337681d46 |date=2012-10-18 }}. Alan Adams, IIHF website, 10 May 2010. Retrieved 2 Jan 2011.

In April 2019, Krueger, his wife and daughter received Swiss citizenship.

Career statistics

=Regular season and playoffs=

border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em"
bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff"|

! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff"|

! colspan="5"|Regular season

! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff"|

! colspan="5"|Playoffs

bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! Season

! Team

! League

! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM

! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM

1976–77

| Assiniboine Park Monarchs

| MJHL

| 43

26305620

| —

————
bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 1977–78

| Duisburger SC

| FRG.2

| —

————

| —

————
1978–79

| New Westminster Bruins

| WHL

| 3

20210

| —

————
bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 1978–79

| Calgary Wranglers

| WHL

| 62

28558379

| 14

75124
1979–80

| Düsseldorfer EG

| 1.GBun

| —

————

| —

————
bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 1980–81

| Düsseldorfer EG

| 1.GBun

| 36

42398135

| 11

1012226
1981–82

| Düsseldorfer EG

| 1.GBun

| 38

26406657

| 2

1120
bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 1982–83

| Schwenninger ERC

| 1.GBun

| 36

20204050

| —

————
1983–84

| Schwenninger ERC

| 1.GBun

| 36

18193719

| —

————
bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 1984–85

| SC Riessersee

| 1.GBun

| 35

16132928

| —

————
1985–86

| ECD Iserlohn

| 1.GBun

| 46

36296544

| —

————
bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 1986–87

| Düsseldorfer EG

| 1.GBun

| 44

26245050

| —

————
1987–88

| Düsseldorfer EG

| 1.GBun

| 43

14223632

| —

————
bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 1988–89

| Krefelder EV 1981

| FRG.2

| 33

30306054

| 18

1314276
1989–90

| Duisburger SV

| FRG.2

| 35

41367720

| 18

16203626
bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 1990–91

| Duisburger SV

| GER.2

| 14

104144

| —

————
1990–91

| EC Ratingen

| GER.2

| 30

23244731

| —

————
bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! colspan="3"| 1.GBun totals

! 313 !! 198 !! 206 !! 404 !! 314

! 13 !! 11 !! 13 !! 24 !! 6

=International=

border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:40em"
bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! Year

! Team

! Event

! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff"|

! GP

! G

! A

! Pts

! PIM

1981

| West Germany

| WC

| 8

0114
bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 1986

| West Germany

| WC

| 8

0110
bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! colspan="3"|Senior totals

! 16 !! 0 !! 2 !! 2 !! 4

Head coaching record

=NHL=

class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%; text-align:center;"
rowspan="2"|Teamrowspan="2"|Yearcolspan="6"|Regular seasoncolspan="4"|Postseason
GWLOTLPtsFinishWLWin%Result
EDM2012–13

| 48 || 19 || 22 || 7 || 45 || 3rd in Northwest || — || — || — || Missed playoffs

BUF2019–20

| 69 || 30 || 31 || 8 || 68 || 6th in Atlantic || — || — || — || Missed playoffs

BUF2020–21

| 28 || 6 || 18 || 4 || (16) || (fired) || — || — || — || —

colspan="2"|Total145557119  ——— 

Bibliography

  • Ralph Krueger: Teamlife - Über Niederlagen zum Erfolg [German]; Werd Verlag, Zürich 2001; {{ISBN|3859323571}}

References

{{reflist}}

External links

  • {{Ice hockey stats}}

{{s-start}}

{{succession box | before = Tom Renney | title = Head coach of the Edmonton Oilers | years = 2012–13 | after = Dallas Eakins}}

{{succession box | before = Phil Housley | title = Head coach of the Buffalo Sabres | years = 2019–2021| after = Don Granato
(interim)}}

{{s-end}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Krueger, Ralph}}

Category:1959 births

Category:Living people

Category:Buffalo Sabres coaches

Category:Calgary Wranglers (WHL) players

Category:Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in Germany

Category:Canadian ice hockey coaches

Category:Canadian ice hockey right wingers

Category:Canadian people of German descent

Category:Carolina Hurricanes scouts

Category:Düsseldorfer EG players

Category:Edmonton Oilers coaches

Category:German ice hockey coaches

Category:German ice hockey players

Category:New Westminster Bruins players

Category:People from Steinbach, Manitoba

Category:SC Riessersee players

Category:Schwenninger Wild Wings players

Category:Southampton F.C. directors and chairmen

Category:Sportspeople from Steinbach, Manitoba

Category:Ice hockey people from Winnipeg

Category:Starbulls Rosenheim players

Category:St. John's-Ravenscourt School alumni