Wednesday, 02. September 2026 |
EHC Red Bull München: Championship-winning coach Don Jackson turns 70
Even as a player, this hockey icon left his mark. Before becoming a coach, the 70-year-old had already won two Stanley Cups in the world’s top league, the NHL. Jackson retained his winning streak even as a coach.
Jackson won nine DEL titles as a coach—a record!
After joining the Red Bull organization in Salzburg in the summer of 2013, he returned to the DEL in 2014, this time to Munich. In his second year as head coach of the Red Bulls, Jackson celebrated his first title with us at Oberwiesenfeld. He defended that title in both the following 2016–17 season and the 2017–18 season. The crowning achievement came in 2023 with his final—and ninth overall—DEL title.
It was supposed to be the crowning achievement of Jackson’s coaching career, after which he remained with our organization as Head of Coaching Development for Red Bull Ice Hockey. But in January 2025, Don reversed his decision to retire once again to restore stability to the Red Bulls during a difficult period on the ice. Until the end of the 2024–25 season, the coach took the reins of the team once more, making his debut at SAP Garden in the process—and then brought his career to a close.
“It’s crazy how time flies”
To mark the occasion, Christian Winkler—who once brought Don Jackson into the organization—addresses a few words directly to our championship-winning coach:
“Donny, happy birthday. 70 years—it’s crazy how time flies. I wish you a wonderful day with your family and lots of fun with your wife, children, and grandchildren. I hope we’ll see each other again soon in Munich or Salzburg so we can raise a glass together.”
Jackson became the first coach in the history of Germany’s top hockey league to win three consecutive titles with two different teams. As head coach of the Eisbären Berlin, he lifted the trophy in 2008 and 2009, as well as in 2011, 2012, and 2013. Jackson spent a total of 1,072 DEL games behind the bench—another record.
We say: All the best, legend!
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