| Jim Hulton | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Born | (1969-01-07)January 7, 1969 (age 56) Kingston, Ontario, Canada | ||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) | ||
| Weight | 195 lb (88 kg; 13 st 13 lb) | ||
| Position | Left Wing | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for | OHL Kitchener Rangers Kingston Raiders OUAA York Yeomen | ||
| Playing career | 1986–1993 | ||
Jim Hulton (born January 7, 1969) is a Canadianice hockey coach who is currently the general manager and head coach of theCharlottetown Islanders of theQMJHL. Hulton was previously an assistant coach with theFlorida Panthers of theNational Hockey League from 2008 to 2011 and the general manager & head coach of theTri-City Storm of theUSHL from 2013 to 2015.
Hulton was drafted in the seventh round, 100th overall, by theKitchener Rangers of theOntario Hockey League at the 1986 OHL Priority Selection.
Hulton appeared in 50 games with the Rangers during the1986-87 season, scoring one goal and four points. He appeared in one playoff game, earning no points.
He returned to the Rangers for the1987-88, as Hulton played in 65 games, scoring six goals and 12 points. In three post-season games, Hulton earned an assist.
Hulton joined theKingston Raiders for the1988-89 season. In 13 games with Kingston, Hulton scored a goal and five points.
After his junior career, Hulton played for theYork Yeomen of theOUAA from 1989 to 1993. In 1992–93, Hulton was named captain of the team.
Hulton began his coaching career as an assistant coach with theKingston Voyageurs of theMetro Junior A Hockey League in the 1994–95 season, as the club finished the season with a 21-24-5, earning 47 points, and finishing in ninth place.
The Voyageurs jumped to theOntario Provincial Junior A Hockey League for the1995-96 season, in which Hulton remained with the team as an assistant coach. The Voyageurs improved to a 37-10-3 record, earning 77 points and finishing in first place in the Ruddock Division. In the post-season, the Voyageurs were upset by theLindsay Muskies in seven games in the second round.
Hulton joined theSt. Michael's Buzzers of theOntario Provincial Junior A Hockey League for the1996-97 season, working under head coachMichael Futa. The Buzzers finished the season with a 26-22-3 record, earning 55 points, and fourth place in the MacKenzie Division. In the post-season, the Buzzers lost to theBrampton Capitals in the first round.
Following the season, the Buzzers disbanded.
Hulton was hired by theNorth Bay Centennials of theOntario Hockey League for the1997-98 season as an assistant coach, working under head coachGreg Bignell. The Centennials struggled to a 15-45-6 record during the season, earning 36 points, and finishing in last place in the Central Division. The Centennials failed to qualify for the post-season.
Following the season, Hulton was relieved of his duties.
Hulton re-joined theKingston Voyageurs of theOntario Provincial Junior A Hockey League for the1998-99 season, as he was hired as the head coach of the club. Previously, Hulton worked with the Voyageurs from 1994 to 1996 as an assistant coach. The Voyageurs got off to a very strong start to the season, going 18-6-1 in their first 25 games under Hulton, good for first place in the East Division.
After the solid start to the season, Hulton resigned from his position in Kingston to take the head coaching job of theMississauga IceDogs of theOntario Hockey League.
Hulton joined theMississauga IceDogs of theOntario Hockey League midway through the1998-99, after the club began the season 1-21-1 under previous head coachPeter Sturgeon. On November 27, 1998, Hulton coached his first game with Mississauga, as the club earned a 3–3 tie with theBelleville Bulls. Hulton would not win his first game with Mississauga until January 29, 1999, as the IceDogs defeated thePeterborough Petes 5–2. Overall, Hulton finished the season with a 3-40-2 record with Mississauga, as the team finished in last place in the league.
Mississauga saw a slight improvement in Hulton's second season with the club, as the team finished the1999-2000 season with a 9-56-1-2 record, earning 21 points. The club remained in last place in the OHL.
Following the season, the IceDogs and Hulton parted ways.
Hulton was hired by theBelleville Bulls of theOntario Hockey League for the2000-01 season as the head coach of the club. On September 23, 2000, Hulton coached his first game for Belleville, as they lost 3–2 to theKingston Frontenacs. Four nights later, Hulton earned his first win with the Bulls, as they defeated his former club, theMississauga IceDogs 8–7. The Bulls had a very strong season, as Hulton led them to a 37-23-5-3 record, earning 82 points, and finishing in first place in the Eastern Conference. On March 26, 2001, Hulton coached in his first career OHL post-season game, as Belleville hammered theKingston Frontenacs 10–2. The Bulls swept the Frontenacs in the Eastern Conference quarter-finals, however, they were upset by theOttawa 67's in the conference semi-finals.
The Bulls improved in Hulton's second season with the club, as in2001-02, Belleville had a record of 39-23-4-2, earning 85 points, winning the East Division for the second consecutive season, and finishing in second place in the Eastern Conference. Belleville easily defeated theOshawa Generals in five games in the Eastern Conference quarter-finals, however, Belleville lost to theBarrie Colts in the semi-finals.
Belleville slipped a bit in the2002-03 season, however, the club finishing with a solid 33-27-6-2 record, earning 74 points, good for third place in the East Division and sixth in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls lost to theToronto St. Michael's Majors in seven games in the Eastern Conference quarter-finals.
Following the 2002–03 season, Hulton resigned from his position with the club.
Following his resignation with theBelleville Bulls, theKingston Frontenacs of theOntario Hockey League quickly hired Hulton to a contract to become their head coach. On September 20, 2003, Hulton coached his first game with Kingston, as they tied theBarrie Colts 3-3. On October 1, Hulton earned his first win with the Frontenacs, as they defeated his previous club, theBelleville Bulls 4–3. The Frontenacs finished the2003-04 season with a 30-28-7-3, earning 70 points, second place in the East Division, and fifth in the Eastern Conference. This marked a 14-point improvement for Kingston over the previous season. In the post-season, the Frontenacs lost to theBarrie Colts in five games during the Eastern Conference quarter-finals.
The Frontenacs struggled during Hulton's second season with the team in2004-05, as Kingston dropped to 28-33-4-3, earning 63 points. Kingston failed to qualify for the post-season, as they finished in ninth place in the Eastern Conference.
Kingston saw significant improvement during the2005-06, as the Frontenacs finished the year with a 37-24-4-3 record, earning 81 points and finishing in second place in the East Division. Kingston finished in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, and saw an 18-point improvement from the previous season. In the playoffs, the Frontenacs were upset by theSudbury Wolves in the Eastern Conference quarter-finals, losing in six games.
Following the 2005–06 season, Hulton was relieved of his duties.
For the 2006–2007 season, Hulton, who interviewed for a few vacant head coaching jobs in the OHL, decided to take the head coaching job atRoyal Military College, which is inKingston, Ontario so he would not have to relocate his family.
The Paladins finished the 2006–07 season with a 7-16-4-1 record, finishing third in the Mid-East Division.
After the season, Hulton resigned from his position.
On May 1, 2007, Hulton was hired by theOntario Hockey LeagueMississauga St. Michael's Majors as assistant coach and assistant general manager, working underDave Cameron. The Majors finished 31–32–5, earning 67 points, in his only season with the team, finishing third in the Central Division and fifth in the Eastern Conference. Mississauga was swept by theNiagara IceDogs in the first round of the playoffs.
Hulton was hired by theFlorida Panthers of theNational Hockey League on July 9, 2008, as an assistant coach of the club under head coachPeter DeBoer. In his first season with the Panthers in2008–09, the club finished with a 41–30–11 record, earning 93 points, however, they finished in ninth place in the Eastern Conference, failing to qualify for the post-season.
Florida slumped in Hulton's second season as an assistant in2009–10, as they slid to a 32–37–13 record, getting 77 points, and finishing in second last in the Eastern Conference, missing the post-season once again.
In2010–11, the Panthers finished in last place in the Eastern Conference, posting a record of 30–40–12, earning 72 points. On April 10, 2011, the Panthers fired Hulton when they relieved head coachPeter DeBoer of his duties.
Hulton was named head coach and general manager of theTri-City Storm of theUSHL on November 19, 2013. Hulton took over forJosh Hauge, who was fired after starting the season 4–9–2. Hulton coached his first game with the Storm on November 22, as the team lost 2–0 to theChicago Steel. Under Hulton, the Storm posted a record of 17–26–2, as the club failed to make the playoffs in the2013-14 season.
In the2014-15 season, the Storm improved tremendously, earning a record of 37-17-6, getting 80 points and finishing in second place in the Western Conference. In the post-season, the Storm swept theOmaha Lancers in the first round, however, in the second round, Tri-City was upset by the fourth seededSioux Falls Stampede.
On June 29, 2015, Hulton was named the head coach of theCharlottetown Islanders of theQuebec Major Junior Hockey League for the2015-16 QMJHL season. On September 11, 2015, Hulton coached his first game with the Islanders, as the club defeated theHalifax Mooseheads 4–3 in a shootout. Charlottetown finished the season with a 35-26-7 record, earning 77 points and a fourth-place finish in the Maritimes Division, while finishing ninth in the overall league standings. In the post-season, the Islanders defeated theRimouski Oceanic in six games in the first round, however, they lost to theShawinigan Cataractes in six games in the QMJHL quarter-finals. On April 22, 2016, Hulton was also given general manager duties, replacingGrant Sonier.
Charlottetown saw improvement during the2016-17 season, as the Islanders finished the season with a 46-18-4 record, earning 96 points, which was a 19-point improvement. Charlottetown finished in second place in the Maritimes Division, and fourth overall in the league. In the playoffs, the Islanders swept theBaie-Comeau Drakkar in the first round, followed by a sweep against theCape Breton Screaming Eagles in the QMJHL quarter-finals. In the semi-finals, the Islanders lost to theBlainville-Boisbriand Armada in five games.
The Islanders slipped to a 37-24-7 record during the2017-18 season, earning 81 points, finishing third in the Maritimes Division, and ninth in overall standings. In the post-season, the Islanders defeated theQuebec Remparts in the first round, then upset the heavily favouredHalifax Mooseheads in the QMJHL quarter-finals. In the semi-finals, the Islanders lost to the top rankedBlainville-Boisbriand Armada in seven games.
Charlottetown had a strong season in2018-19, finishing the season with a 40-21-7 record, earning 87 points. The Islanders finished in second place in the Maritimes Division, and fourth in the Eastern Conference. In the Eastern Conference quarter-finals, the Islanders lost to theCape Breton Screaming Eagles in six games.
| Team | Year | Regular Season | Post Season | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | L | T | OTL | Pts | Finish | Result | ||
| MIS | 1998–99 | 45 | 3 | 40 | 2 | - | 8 | 5th in Central | Missed Playoffs |
| MIS | 1999–00 | 68 | 9 | 56 | 1 | 2 | 21 | 5th in Central | Missed Playoffs |
| BEL | 2000–01 | 68 | 37 | 23 | 5 | 3 | 82 | 1st in East | Lost in Second Round |
| BEL | 2001–02 | 68 | 39 | 23 | 4 | 2 | 84 | 1st in East | Lost in Second Round |
| BEL | 2002–03 | 68 | 33 | 27 | 6 | 2 | 74 | 3rd in East | Lost in First Round |
| KGN | 2003–04 | 68 | 30 | 28 | 7 | 3 | 70 | 2nd in East | Lost in First Round |
| KGN | 2004–05 | 68 | 28 | 33 | 4 | 3 | 63 | 4th in East | Missed Playoffs |
| KGN | 2005–06 | 68 | 37 | 24 | - | 7 | 81 | 2nd in East | Lost in First Round |
| TRI | 2013–14 | 45 | 17 | 26 | - | 2 | 36 | 7th in Western | Missed Playoffs |
| TRI | 2014–15 | 60 | 37 | 17 | - | 6 | 80 | 2nd in Western | Lost in Second Round |
| CHA | 2015-16 | 68 | 35 | 26 | - | 7 | 77 | 4th in Maritimes | Lost in Second Round |
| OHL totals | 1998–2006 | 521 | 216 | 254 | 29 | 22 | 483 | ||
| USHL totals | 2013–2015 | 105 | 54 | 43 | - | 8 | 116 | ||
| QMJHL totals | 2015-2016 | 68 | 35 | 26 | - | 7 | 77 | ||
| Preceded by | Head coaches of the Mississauga IceDogs 1998–2000 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Head coaches of the Belleville Bulls 2000–2003 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Head Coaches of the Kingston Frontenacs 2003–2006 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Head coaches of the Tri-City Storm 2013–2015 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Head coaches of the Charlottetown Islanders 2015–present | Succeeded by incumbent |