Mike Keenan's Secret Strategy: Uniting Hockey's Greatest Duo
In the summer of 1987, while relaxing at his cottage, Mike Keenan had a revolutionary idea that would alter hockey history. The then-head coach of Team Canada contemplated a bold move: placing Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux, arguably the two finest players ever, on the same line for the upcoming Canada Cup tournament.
A Covert Operation
Keenan, now speaking from Italy during the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, revealed he kept his plan entirely confidential. "I didn't tell anyone what I was thinking," Keenan admitted. "I didn't tell the coaches. I didn't tell anyone from management. And I didn't tell Gretz or Mario." His motivation was clear: avoid tipping off the formidable Soviet Union team.
This approach contrasted sharply with contemporary coaching methods, where detailed game planning and staff collaboration are standard. Keenan operated solo, making all bench decisions independently. "I made all the calls," he stated, emphasizing his preference for unpredictability.
Echoes in Modern Hockey
Keenan recently observed Team Canada coach Jon Cooper's decision to unite Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon, the current top two scorers, alongside young star Macklin Celebrini at the 2026 Olympics. This lineup reminded him of his own historic pairing, with Gretzky and Lemieux supported by the exceptional Dale Hawerchuk.
"I figure he either studied what we did or (Rick) Tocchet told him about it," Keenan speculated, noting Tocchet's close ties to both Gretzky and Lemieux from their playing and coaching days.
The Historic Moment
When Keenan finally deployed Gretzky and Lemieux together, he did so without fanfare. "I called out the next line, the way I always calls out the next line," he recalled. "There was no reaction when I called their names. It was business as usual." The result was legendary: Lemieux scored the championship-winning goal against the Soviets, assisted by Gretzky, in what remains one of hockey's most iconic moments.
Remarkably, after that Canada Cup, the duo never shared the ice again. In contrast, McDavid and MacKinnon are now experiencing their first partnership, with Celebrini adding youthful brilliance to the mix.
Legacy and Parallels
Reflecting on nearly four decades, Keenan marveled at Gretzky's and Lemieux's achievements. Gretzky leads all-time NHL scoring with 1.92 points per game, followed closely by Lemieux at 1.88. McDavid ranks third at 1.53, highlighting his elite status in a more competitive era.
Keenan praised Cooper's coaching but affirmed his own philosophy: "When it matters, you want to put the game in the hands of your best players." He endorsed the McDavid-MacKinnon-Celebrini combination, noting the challenge of aligning high-IQ talents. "Getting great players to fit isn't easy. It doesn't always happen," he acknowledged.
This story underscores a timeless coaching truth: strategic secrecy and trust in superstar pairings can define championships, from 1987's Canada Cup to the 2026 Olympic stage.
