Bylsma won the Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 2009, just four months after being promoted to Pittsburgh's head coaching position.

Bylsma graduated from Western Michigan Christian High School where he won the Class D golf individual championship as a freshman.

In his senior year, he was a member of the all-state all-class "Dream Team" (the best player at each position in the state – all classes), and won many regional baseball honors.

Bylsma went on to play college hockey at Bowling Green State University from 1988–1992 and was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in his freshman year.

In his first season, when he played only four games for the Kings, he was captain of their International Hockey League (IHL) affiliate, the Phoenix Roadrunners.

Injuries took a toll in later years, and before being put on waivers in January 2004, Bylsma missed 31 games due to knee surgery.

[6] On April 28, Penguins General Manager Ray Shero announced that Bylsma had been named permanent head coach of the team.

On April 4, 2014, Bylsma became the fastest NHL coach to reach 250 wins, leading his team to a 4–2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets.

[9] On June 6, 2014, Bylsma was fired by the Pittsburgh Penguins, shortly after Jim Rutherford was announced as the team's new general manager.

[19] On August 10, 2021, Bylsma returned to the AHL, after he was hired by the Seattle Kraken to become an assistant coach with the Charlotte Checkers.

[20] On June 21, 2022, Bylsma was named as head coach of the Kraken's new AHL affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds.