Bobby Kromm

Bobby Kromm has excelled as a player and a coach in four hockey leagues for over 30 years. In 1948, Bobby joined the Kimberley Dynamiters of the Western International Hockey League, and the following year moved to Trail, where he married and remained until 1963. From 1963 to 1965, he was player coach in Nelson. Bobby played 475 games in the WIHL (Western International Hockey League), the second most in the league history. He is all-time league leader in points, with 783 and all-time league leader in assists with 524. Bobby led the Trail Smoke Eaters in scoring in 1954-55, and 1958-59.
From 1959 to 1963, Bobby was playing coach of the Trail Smoke Eaters, where he led the team to the finals in the 1960 Allan Cup and coached the team to the historic 1961 World Hockey Championship, against all odds. Under his tenure, the Smoke Eaters were also winners of the 1962 Allan Cup, and represented Canada in the 1963 World Hockey Championship.

While player coach of the Nelson Maple Leafs, Nelson reached the finals of the Allan Cup Championship.

From 1967 to 1975, Bobby was coach of the Dallas Black Hawks in the Central Hockey League. In 1972, he was Coach of the Year in that League. Under his leadership, the Dallas Black Hawks finished first in league standings in the 1971-1972, 1973-74, and 1974-75 seasons, and won the League Championships in the 1968-69, 1971-72 and 1973-74 seasons. From 1971 to 1975, he also managed the Dallas Arena, as well as being Coach and General Manager of the Black Hawks.

In 1975, Bobby moved to coach the Winnipeg Jets of the World Hockey Association. He was Coach of the Year of the World Hockey Association in 1976 and won the WHA Championship with Winnipeg in the 1975-76 season, and lost in the WHA Finals in 1976-77. Bobby coached 161 games in the WHA.

In 1977, Bobby moved on again to coach the Detroit Red Wings in the National Hockey League. Bobby was Coach of the Year in the National Hockey League in 1978 and coached the Red Wings in 231 games in the NHL.

Since leaving the hockey scene, Bobby worked in the automotive industry in Livonia, Michigan.  He passed away in July 2010.