KINYON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Former Red Wing speaks

Kinyon Elementary School welcomed Tom Webster, a former Detroit Red Wing and longtime NHL coach.

Originally selected by the Boston Bruins in the 1966 NHL Entry Draft, Webster played in a total of 102 National Hockey League (NHL) games with the Bruins and Detroit Red Wings.

Webster scored 30 goals for the Red Wings in the 1970-71 season. He also played 352 games for the New England Whalers of the World Hockey Association.

After retiring as a player Webster has been the coach for a number of teams at various levels of hockey.

His first head-coaching job came in 1986, when he became coach of the New York Rangers following the firing of Ted Sator. After only five games, Webster fell ill with what was later diagnosed as an inner-ear infection that left him unable to fly. He returned as head coach for home games only; general manager Phil Esposito split coaching duties with assistants Ed Giacomin and Wayne Cashman for road games.

He was cleared to fly again, but suffered a relapse during a game against the Edmonton Oilers, and was told to stay off planes for at least three months. Esposito named himself head coach for the remainder of the season. When it became apparent that Webster would not be able to return to the bench full-time the following season, he resigned on April 30, 1987.

Webster's next head coaching stint was with the Los Angeles Kings. He led the Kings to what is (as of the 2016-17 season) the only regular season division title in franchise history, in 1990-91.

While coaching the Kings in a game against Detroit on November 16, 1991, Webster became upset at what he felt was a blown call by referee Kerry Fraser.

Webster currently serves as an amateur scout for the Calgary Flames.