My buddy and colleague Matias Sarvela - strength and conditioning coach for Kunlun Red Star in the KHL - worked under Mike Keenan for a brief spell while he was their head coach/GM.

Apparently, Iron Mike is a guy "you don't mess with".

Before Keenan moved to the KHL, his coaching career spanned eight teams and over two decades in the NHL.

And who was their head coach when the Rangers brought the Cup back to Broadway after a 54-year drought in 1994?

Yup. Mike Keenan.

He's also the only coach in hockey history to have won the Stanley Cup, Canada Cup and Gagarin Cup (awarded to KHL champions).

But what Iron Mike is probably best remembered for?

Organizing the infamous Christmas Death Skate when he was coaching the Philadelphia Flyers back in 1984.

In true Christmas spirit, Keenan had scheduled an early morning skate on December 24 before players were supposed to embark on a two-day holiday before returning to action on the 26th.

The Flyers had beaten archrival Washington Capitals at home by a score of 7-4 the previous night. Tim Kerr scored a hat trick. Murray Craven lit the red l​amp twice. Mark Howe, Rick Tocchet and Peter Zezel racked up two points each. Pelle Lindbergh made 27 saves on 31 shots.

Everyone was in a great mood.

The next morning, Keenan brought a boombox to the rink and was playing Christmas carols. Copious amounts of pizza and beer were waiting for the players in the locker room as soon as the light skating was over. Guys were going to do their Pollyanna gift exchange afterwards and have a little party together. Perfect way to head into the holidays.

Then Iron Mike blew his whistle.

The practice began.

They started with the usual end-to-end skating drills for 35 minutes. Guys were doing their best, flying out there, thinking the practice would soon be over.

It wasn't.

Keenan had the players go end-to-end again.

And again.

And again.

And then some more.

For another 45 minutes.

No pucks. Brutal conditioning. The occasional 10-second water break before the next rep.

The players were cramping. Cursing. Seizing. Throwing up.

But no one was excused.

And Iron Mike?

Watching with a smirk on his face the whole time.

The bag skate lasted for ​close to ​90 minutes.

Finally, he called the Flyers together. Most of the players were bent over or sitting down ​by that point, catching their breath, staring quietly at the ice, fuming inside.

Keenan's piercing gaze moved slowly ​from player to player. One by one, they ​looked up at the coach.

At last he spoke:

​In the locker room, players tossed their gifts in the trash, showered without uttering a word, ​hurried home.

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Merry Christmas,

Yunus Barisik