No Shave November/’Movember’ has ended, but cancer never rests. The battle against cancer just got personal for Pioneer hockey nation. Former DU hockey captain Kevin Dineen announced three days ago on Twitter that he is battling pancreatic cancer. Dineen, with the support of his wife, Annie, and four children, is on the front lines of a battle against the disease.
This Thanksgiving feels a bit different. A few months ago, I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It has put a lot into perspective, most of all how lucky I am to be surrounded by so many supportive family and friends. #HockeyFightsCancer pic.twitter.com/IDnrUjl74T
— Kevin Dineen (@kdino9) November 30, 2025
Dineen, a Canadian, was a two-year hockey star at DU. He began his college career in 1981–82 with the Denver hockey in the old WCHA (Western Collegiate Hockey Association). In his first season with the Pioneers, Dineen scored 12 goals and collected 34 points alongside 105 PIM in 34 games. He was then selected in the third round of the NHL Entry Draft by the Hartford Whalers. Dineen returned to the Pioneers for the 1982–83 season, where he was named captain as only a sophomore and tallied 16 goals and 29 points (108 PIM) in 36 games. Dineen played both forward and defense for the Pioneers during his two-year college career at DU.
From there, Dineen went on to play an astounding 21 seasons in his NHL playing career (1,188 games with 355 goals, 405 assists for 760 points and 2,229 penalty minutes). Dineen spent parts of three seasons as a bench boss in the NHL, serving as the head coach of the Florida Panthers when they returned to the postseason for the first time in 12 years in 2012, in addition to holding various coaching roles at professional levels.
Soon after he was fired by the Panthers in November 2013, Dineen was named the head coach of the Canadian National Women’s Hockey Team and led them to their 4th-straight Olympic Gold Medal in Sochi in February 2014. Immediately after that, he was named the head coach of Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team for the 2014 IIHF World U18 Championships. The Canadians took Bronze that year (the USA won its 8th WJC Gold).
Off the ice, Dineen was a spokesperson for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. He was also involved in a number of other civic endeavors during his playing days and coaching stops.
His off-ice character is cited by numerous friends and acquaintances. Here is an article that details, first-hand, Dineen’s high character from a sportswriter and friend.
Despite the late date, it’s not too late to donate in Kevin’s name to Movember, a registered Section 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, tax-exempt organisation. Or, drop Kevin a note of support on Twitter – it costs nothing. And, of course, our best thoughts go out to the Dineen family.
Also won a Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks as an assistant coach in 2015. Fantastic career.
Great guy. I’m so sorry to hear this.
Knew Kevin well at DU. No one worked harder than he did. Not many people with Crohn’s Disease have a 20+ year NHL career. He was the outlier.
87% of Pancreatic Cancer patients die within 5 years. He knows that and we know that.
I am hoping he’s in the 13% who beat it…I would not bet against him, either.
One of only eight players in the NHL to score over 300 goals and have over 2000 penalty minutes.
This one rips me apart.
I’ve known Kevin for many decades, and it’s always a pleasure to run into him at a Frozen Four or even the Olympics in Russia. Of all the players I’ve seen wear the Crimson and Gold over the past 40+ years, he stands at the top as the hardest-working Pioneer. His motor, his work ethic, his grit and his love for the game is unmatched. I can’t remember another Pio who became team captain as a sophomore, which gives you an idea of who he is and how he leads. The fact that he played more NHL games (1,188) than any other Pio in history, became an NHL head coach, won a Stanley Cup as an NHL assistant and won an Olympic Gold Medal coaching Canada’s women’s team is the icing on his career cake.
We should not only be thinking about him, but also his family. His wife, (Annie), daughters (Hannah and Emma) and two sons, Will and Declan, as well as his brothers, Shawn (who also played for DU), Gord and Jerry, and his sister, Rose.
He’s a fighter in every sense of the word, and I’m hoping he can win this fight…