Playing career

Before making the NHL, Playfair played for the Fort Saskatchewan Traders located just north of Edmonton. He played for the Edmonton Oilers and Chicago Blackhawks over the course of his career. His older brother Larry Playfair shares a lot of the same characteristics - both were drafted in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft (Larry in 1978 and Jim in 1982), and both played junior hockey for the Portland Winter Hawks of the Western Hockey League. However, Larry played 688 career NHL games; Jim for 21.

Coaching career

Jim Playfair became the head coach of the Calgary Flames on July 12, 2006, a promotion from his role as an assistant coach and replacing Darryl Sutter who previously had been both head coach and general manager. Sutter continued as general manager of the Flames. Playfair was also previously the head coach of the Saint John Flames of the American Hockey League, where he coached the Baby Flames to a Calder Cup championship in 2001. He used to live in Calgary, Alberta with his wife Roxane, and their 3 sons Dylan, Jackson, and Austyn.

On June 14, 2007, Playfair was replaced as head coach of the Calgary Flames by Mike Keenan, formerly of the Florida Panthers. In his first and only season as head coach of the Flames, the team went 43-29-10 which was good enough for the 8th and final playoff spot. The team went on to be eliminated by the Detroit Red Wings in the first round 4-2.

On June 5, 2009, Playfair began his second stint as a head coach in the American Hockey League after being named the head coach of the Abbotsford Heat (Calgary Flames affiliate). In his two seasons at the helm, Playfair led the Heat to a 77-61-9-13 record (176 points). In 2009-10, he guided the Heat to the North Division Finals, falling to the Hamilton Bulldogs in six games (4-2).

On March 27, 2010 during a Heat v Bulldogs Hockey Game, Playfair lost his temper and broke two hockey sticks; an incident which received a half million views on YouTube in three days and for which Playfair has apologized.

He is currently the associate coach of the Arizona Coyotes who announced the multi-year offer on June 13, 2011.

Career statistics

Playing career

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1981-82	Portland Winter Hawks	WHL		70	4	13	17	121		15	1	2	3	21
1982-83	Portland Winter Hawks	WHL		63	8	27	35	218		14	0	5	5	16
1983-84	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		2	1	1	2	2		—	—	—	—	—
1983-84	Portland Winter Hawks	WHL		16	5	6	11	38		—	—	—	—	—
1983-84	Calgary Wranglers	WHL		46	6	9	15	96		4	0	1	1	2
1984-85	Nova Scotia Oilers	AHL		41	0	4	4	107		—	—	—	—	—
1985-86	Nova Scotia Oilers	AHL		73	2	12	14	160		—	—	—	—	—
1986-87	Nova Scotia Oilers	AHL		60	1	21	22	82		—	—	—	—	—
1987-88	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		12	1	3	4	21		—	—	—	—	—
1987-88	Saginaw Hawks	IHL		50	5	21	26	133		—	—	—	—	—
1988-89	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		7	0	0	0	28		—	—	—	—	—
1988-89	Saginaw Hawks	IHL		23	3	6	9	73		6	0	2	2	20
1989-90	Indianapolis Ice	IHL		67	7	24	31	137		14	1	5	6	24
1990-91	Indianapolis Ice	IHL		23	3	4	7	31		—	—	—	—	—
1991-92	Indianapolis Ice	IHL		23	1	1	2	53		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				21	2	4	6	51		—	—	—	—	—

Head coaching record

NHL

Year	Team	League	Regular season						Post season
			G	W	L	OTL	Pts	Finish	Result
2006-07	Calgary	NHL	82	43	29	10	96	3rd in Northwest	Lost in First Round

Minor leagues

Year	Team	League	Regular season							Post season
			G	W	L	T	OTL	Pts	Finish	Result
1993-94	Dayton	ECHL	68	29	31	—	8	66	5th in North	Lost in First Round
1994-95	Dayton	ECHL	68	42	17	—	9	93	2nd in North	Lost in Second Round
1995-96	Dayton	ECHL	70	35	28	—	7	77	5th in North	Lost in First Round
2000-01	Saint John	AHL	80	44	24	7	5	100	1st in Canadian	Won Calder Cup
2001-02	Saint John	AHL	80	29	34	13	4	75	5th in Canadian	Missed Playoffs
2002-03	Saint John	AHL	32	10	19	2	1	(71)	Promoted to NHL midseason

[ Source: Wikipedia ]