Had he grown up where he was born, chances are Dan Hinote would not have experienced a decade-plus pro hockey career. Afterall, Florida isn’t really a hotbed for hockey players. Case in point: Dan became the first Florida born player to score a goal in an NHL game.  

When Dan was very young, he moved from Florida to Minnesota where ponds are plentiful and eventually everyone laces up some ice skates. He was fast on ice and good at hockey but didn’t have a specialty. So, he became proficient in many aspects of the game and did whatever it took to make a team.  

In 1996, the Avalanche drafted him after being assured he would leave West Point, where he was attending college, playing hockey for fun and aspiring to be an FBI agent. Life went a different direction for sure with several years in the NHL, a Stanley Cup Championship with the Avs, many injuries and a few different teams.  

After he retired, Dan went straight into coaching for a few years, then found himself out of hockey to focus on his family and trying to find work outside of the rink. After some time with AT&T and as a stock broker, Dan got back into coaching, spending time in the NHL and AHL where he loves helping players find their potential.

Listen to Dan’s story and conversation with Susie Wargin on the Cut Traded Fired Retired Podcast.