Report: Kings remove interim tag from Hiller

The Los Angeles Kings removed the interim tag from head coach Jim Hiller to make him their full-time bench boss, reports ESPN's Kevin Weekes.

Additionally, the club reportedly signed Hiller to a multi-year extension.

Hiller took over for the fired Todd McLellan midway through the 2023-24 campaign and guided the Kings to a 21-12-1 record. Los Angeles was then ousted by the Oilers in Round 1 for the third year in a row.

The Kings' defense and power play both improved under Hiller's watch.

Stat McLellan Hiller Points% .583 .632 GF/G 3.15 3.03 GA/G 2.65 2.44 PP% 21.2 25.0 PK% 87.3 80.6

This is Hiller's first stint as an NHL head coach. He previously served as an assistant coach with the New York Islanders and Toronto Maple Leafs. The 55-year-old was also a head coach in the WHL with the Tri-City Americans and Chilliwack Bruins. He was named the WHL and CHL coach of the year in 2011-12 for leading the Americans to a 50-18-0-4 record.

Copyright © 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.