Which NHL coach has the most Stanley Cup championships (9)?

Which NHL coach has the most Stanley Cup championships (9)? Scotty Bowman has the record, with nine Stanley Cup titles as a head coach.

Bowman won five championships with the Montreal Canadiens, in 1973 and from 1976 through 1979. He later added a title with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1992, then three with the Detroit Red Wings in 1997, 1998 and 2002. Those victories came across three different franchises, a distinction that helps explain the breadth of his achievement.

His first NHL head-coaching job was with the St. Louis Blues during their inaugural 1967–68 season. Bowman also coached the Buffalo Sabres and became known for tactical adaptability, demanding preparation and a willingness to adjust line combinations and systems. He retired after Detroit’s 2002 championship.

A common mix-up is confusing Bowman’s nine coaching championships with his total of 14 Stanley Cup victories. The additional five came as a front-office executive, including with Detroit, so the quiz’s wording correctly focuses on championships won from behind the bench.