Chris Lindstrom
| Chris Lindstrom | |
|---|---|
| Boston Spirits | |
| Position | Manager |
| Personal information | |
| Born | August 17th, 1974 Norfolk, Virginia, United States |
| Career history | |
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| Career hightlights and awards | |
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Chris Lindstrom (born August 17th, 1974) is a Valorian professional ice hockey coach who currently manages the Boston Spirits. Prior to managing the Spirits, Lindstrom managed Halifax Hockey Club from 2017 to 2019, the Connecticut Bandits from 2014 to 2017, EH Bas-Canada from 2013 to 2014, and Vermont from 2010 to 2013.
He is viewed by many as one of the finest active managers in the VHL, having consistently managed teams to greater heights than he inherited them, and bringing unlikely trophies to teams that rarely challenge for them. To date, he has won 6 trophies with three different teams. He is also the highest paid manager in VHF history, currently on a $17 million per year contract.
Managerial Career[edit | edit source]
Vermont (2009–2013)[edit | edit source]
Lindstrom began his VHL managerial career with Vermont, taking over ahead of the 2010 season. In his inaugural season as a head coach, inheriting a team that had finished 12th the season before, Lindstrom guided his squad to a stunning 3rd in the standings, Vermont's first time qualifying since 2000. Lindstrom faced off against the Providence Doves in the semi-finals, eventually losing [2–3] to them. Lindstrom brought Vermont to the quarter-finals the Coupe Balbuzard, where he lost against the Boston Spirits. Excited by his stellar performance, Vermont offered Lindstrom a three-year contract extension.
After setting himself extremely high expectations, Lindstrom's second season in charge of Vermont seemed a disappointment, finishing 8th in the standings and eliminated in the Round of 16 of the Coupe Balbuzard.
Lindstrom only fared slightly better in 2012, improving by one to finish 7th in the league. His Vermont side made it out of the Round of 16 in the Balbuzard, only to be crushed 0–6 by the Newfoundland Sailors.
With the past two seasons' relative mediocrity having deadened the excitement around Lindstrom, the coach once more shocked the VHF by returning Vermont to the qualification spots. Lindstrom brought Vermont to another 3rd place, meeting the Newfoundland Sailors in the semi-finals. Vermont was swept by the Sailors, however Lindstrom had once more caught the eye of many. In the Coupe Balbuzard, Vermont defeated Charlottetown and the Fredericton Stars to make the semi-finals, where they lost to the Acadia Rage.
After his contract had expired, Vermont tried to keep him, however Lindstrom received a number of enticing offers from other teams. He eventually decided to sign with a struggling EH Bas-Canada on a one-year contract. When asked why he chose to leave Vermont after such a successful season, Lindstrom commented that Bas-Canada offered him "a fantastic f***ing deal."
EH Bas-Canada (2013–2014)[edit | edit source]
Lindstrom took the mantle of Bas-Canada for the 2014 season. He brought the team, which had finished 13th the year prior, up to 7th, only two points off of qualification. His success extended to the Coupe Balbuzard, where he brought the struggling team to the semi-finals, most notably beating the Doves 3–0 in the Round of 16.
As his single-year contract expired, Lindstrom once more set his sights on a new club. He received offers from a number of larger clubs, most notably the Salem Loggers, however eventually settled on the 14th-placed Connecticut Bandits. He stated he loved "both the challenge and the money," signing a two-year contract with the club, with an option for another year.
Connecticut Bandits (2014–2017)[edit | edit source]
Lindstrom brought the Bandits to 6th in his first season in charge, just a single point off qualification. In the Coupe Balbuzard, he faced much less success, eliminated in the Round of 16.
In the 2016 campaign, the Bandits dropped in performance in the league, coming 8th and 4 points off qualification. Lindstrom was once more eliminated in the Round of 16, by his former club Vermont. Despite failing to improve on his inaugural campaign with the club, however, his general ability to keep the club far above its former bottom-quarter position meant Lindstrom remained for another year.
2017 would prove to be Lindstrom's most successful campaign yet. The Bandits finished 7th in the league, however saw upset defeats of the Sailors in the Round of 16, the Doves in the quarter-final, and Bas-Canada in the semi-final to reach his first ever Coupe Balbuzard final. In a 5–2 victory over the Springfield Bullets, Lindstrom won his first trophy, and the Bandits' first since 1994.
Despite their success, Lindstrom did not extend his contract, instead setting off to Halifax Hockey Club on a two-year deal.
Halifax Hockey Club (2017–2019)[edit | edit source]
Lindstrom's first campaign in charge of Halifax proved to be his worst yet, finishing the league in 10th. He was able to bring Halifax to the semi-finals of the Balbuzard, however lost 1–2 to eventual champions Acadia.
2019 proved to be the complete opposite for Lindstrom and Halifax. The team finished 4th, Lindstrom achieving qualification for the third time in his career. Halifax met the Doves in the semi-finals, shocking by winning the first two games of the series as the away team. The Doves nearly managed to complete the reverse sweep by winning the next two games, however Lindstrom was able to defeat the Doves in their own arena in a 4–3 game to send Halifax to the finals. There, they met the Newfoundland Sailors, who had won four out of the last five seasons. The Sailors won the first game at home, however Halifax won the second game in St. John's. Returning home, Lindstrom led Halifax to a dominant 7–1 victory, granting the momentum and the series advantage going into game four. The Sailors retaliated by beating Halifax at their arena, sending the series to a game five in St. John's. Lindstrom's Halifax stunned everyone by winning the away game 2–1, winning their first-ever championship, and first trophy since winning the Coupe Balbuzard in 1991. The trophy was Lindstrom's second, and his first league title.
After claiming two trophies in the past three seasons, Lindstrom once more received offers from a number of large clubs. Most enticing, however, were the Boston Spirits: he signed with Boston on a record-breaking $31 million 2-year contract, the highest out of any coach in VHF history.
Boston Spirits (2019–present)[edit | edit source]
Lindstrom's first campaign with the Spirits seemed promising, as he keep the flailing team comfortably in the qualification spots. The season, however, was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic. Lindstrom later admitted the pause came at an opportune moment for him, as he was able to reorganize his new team's structure.
The Spirits returned in 2021 for the start of the decade with ambitious goals, ultimately finishing second in league. Lindstrom faced the Concord Venom in the semi-finals. The series went to a game five, where the Spirits decisively beat the Venom on home ground. They were eventually swept in the finals by a charging Sailors. The Coupe Balbuzard proved far more disappointing, with the Spirits eliminated in the Round of 16 by Bas-Canada.
Lindstrom's 2022 league campaign proved dominant, scoring 51 points en route to his first Earle Trophy. In the semi-finals, Lindstrom defeated longtime Boston rivals Salem [3–2], meeting the Mainers in the final. Despite winning the first two games of the finals series, the Mainers completed the reverse sweep to deny Lindstrom a second championship. On top of this, the Mainers defeated the Spirits 4–5 in the semi-final of the Coupe Balbuzard. Despite these disappointing losses, the Spirits offered Lindstrom a four-year, $79 million contract to remain with them, eclipsing Dorian Hargrove's 2019 extension with the Sailors as the most expensive managerial contract in VHF history.
Determined to make a comeback in 2023, Lindstrom produced yet another dominant league campaign, nearly achieving a second 50+ Season (only missing out by losing to the Bandits on the final matchday). The Spirits once again met the Loggers in the semi-final, winning by game four to send Lindstrom to his fourth consecutive league finals. They once again met the Mainers, setting up a rematch of the 2022 finals series. The Mainers took the first game away from home, threatening to win a second consecutive championship. Lindstrom responded with back-to-back victories before the Mainers won game four, sending the series to a game five in Boston. There, Lindstrom led the Spirits to a commanding 4–0 win to claim his second championship, and third trophy overall. Lindstrom was once again eliminated from the Coupe Balbuzard in the semi-finals, in pursuit of a Double.
Lindstrom's form has continued into 2024, as Boston won their 25th Earle Trophy and 50th trophy overall. Despite this regular season form, the Spirits were eliminated in a massive upset from the Acadia Rage
Image[edit | edit source]
Lindstrom is widely regarded as one of the best active managers in the VHL, and one of the greatest of all time.
Unlike many of the VHL managers he is often compared to, Lindstrom's career is characterized by frequent team changes. He has never spent longer than four seasons with any one team, although his current contract with the Spirits would have him stay until the end of his sixth season, and he has indicated he intends to remain with the team until at least 2029, so that he can win a third star.
Honors and awards[edit | edit source]
Across thirteen seasons in the VHL, Lindstrom has won a total of 6 trophies: 2 VHL championship titles (one with Halifax Hockey Club, one with the Boston Spirits); 3 Earle Trophies (all with the Boston Spirits); and 1 Coupe Balbuzard (with the Connecticut Bandits). He also achieved a 50+ Season in his second campaign with the Spirits.
Year-by-year record[edit | edit source]
| Year | League Results | Pts. | Playoffs | Coupe Balbuzard | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont | |||||
| 2010 | Third | 38 | Semi-Finals | Quarter-Finals | |
| 2011 | 8th | 31 | – | Round of 16 | |
| 2012 | 7th | 32 | – | Quarter-Finals | |
| 2013 | Third | 40 | Semi-Finals | Semi-Finals | |
| EH Bas-Canada | |||||
| 2014 | 7th | 36 | – | Semi-Finals | |
| Connecticut Bandits | |||||
| 2015 | 6th | 36 | – | Round of 16 | |
| 2016 | 8th | 31 | – | Round of 16 | |
| 2017 | 7th | 32 | – | Champions (1st title) | |
| Halifax Hockey Club | |||||
| 2018 | 10th | 29 | – | Semi-Finals | |
| 2019 | Fourth | 37 | Champions (1st title) | Round of 16 | |
| Boston Spirits | |||||
| 2021 | Second | 41 | Runners-up | Round of 16 | |
| 2022 | First (1st trophy) | 51 | Runners-up | Semi-Finals | 50+ Season |
| 2023 | First (2nd trophy) | 49 | Champions (2nd title) | Semi-Finals | |
| 2024 | First (3rd trophy) | 41 | Quarter-finals | TBD | |