I met him a couple times. Class act all the way. Great guy. RIP!
Pat Quinn dead at 71
Spent more than 4 decades in NHL as player, coach, GM
CBC Sports Posted: Nov 24, 2014 10:57 AM ET Last Updated: Nov 24, 2014 12:16 PM ET
Pat Quinn was the head coach of five NHL teams, including the Canucks, Maple Leafs and Oilers. (Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)
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http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/pat-quinn-dead-at-71-1.2846984
Pat Quinn dead at 71
Spent more than 4 decades in NHL as player, coach, GM
CBC Sports Posted: Nov 24, 2014 10:57 AM ET Last Updated: Nov 24, 2014 12:16 PM ET
Pat Quinn was the head coach of five NHL teams, including the Canucks, Maple Leafs and Oilers. (Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)
Related Stories
Pat Quinn, who spent more than four decades in the NHL as a player, head coach and general manager, has died at the age of 71.
The Hockey Hall of Fame and the Western Hockey League's Vancouver Giants on Monday confirmed that Quinn passed away on Sunday night at Vancouver General Hospital after a long illness.
Quinn was a co-owner of the Giants. He was the Hall of Fame's chairman of the board as well as a longtime member of its selection committee.
"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Pat Quinn”, said Jim Gregory, vice-chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame, in a statement. "Pat is one of hockey's most respected individuals whose lifetime involvement as a player, coach and executive has made an indelible mark on the game, and our thoughts and prayers are with [Quinn's wife] Sandra and all of Pat's family and friends at this extremely difficult time."
Born in Hamilton, Ont., Quinn played parts of nine NHL seasons as a defenceman with Toronto, Vancouver and Atlanta. "The Big Irishman" scored only 18 goals but was recognized immediately for his imposing size and toughness. Shortly after being called up to the Maple Leafs, Quinn delivered a brutal hit on Boston star Bobby Orr in a 1969 playoff game.
After playing his last season in 1976-77, Quinn became an assistant coach with the Philadelphia Flyers and took over as the team's head coach to finish the 1978-79 campaign. He would coach in 20 NHL seasons with five different teams, including stops in Los Angeles, Vancouver, Toronto and, most recently, a one-season stint with Edmonton in 2009-10.
Quinn won the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's top coach in 1979-80 with Philly and 1991-92 with Vancouver. Two years later he guided the Canucks to within one victory of the Stanley Cup before they fell to the New York Rangers in Game 7 of the final.
In addition to his NHL jobs, Quinn was the head coach of the Canadian men's team that won the Olympic title in 2002 in Salt Lake City, ending a 50-year gold-medal drought. He also guided Team Canada to the world junior championship in 2009.
“Whether he was playing for a team, coaching a team or building one, Pat Quinn was thoughtful, passionate and committed to success," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. "Pat’s contributions to hockey, at every level, reflected the skills he possessed and the great respect with which he treated the sport."
The Hockey Hall of Fame and the Western Hockey League's Vancouver Giants on Monday confirmed that Quinn passed away on Sunday night at Vancouver General Hospital after a long illness.
Quinn was a co-owner of the Giants. He was the Hall of Fame's chairman of the board as well as a longtime member of its selection committee.
"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Pat Quinn”, said Jim Gregory, vice-chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame, in a statement. "Pat is one of hockey's most respected individuals whose lifetime involvement as a player, coach and executive has made an indelible mark on the game, and our thoughts and prayers are with [Quinn's wife] Sandra and all of Pat's family and friends at this extremely difficult time."
Born in Hamilton, Ont., Quinn played parts of nine NHL seasons as a defenceman with Toronto, Vancouver and Atlanta. "The Big Irishman" scored only 18 goals but was recognized immediately for his imposing size and toughness. Shortly after being called up to the Maple Leafs, Quinn delivered a brutal hit on Boston star Bobby Orr in a 1969 playoff game.
After playing his last season in 1976-77, Quinn became an assistant coach with the Philadelphia Flyers and took over as the team's head coach to finish the 1978-79 campaign. He would coach in 20 NHL seasons with five different teams, including stops in Los Angeles, Vancouver, Toronto and, most recently, a one-season stint with Edmonton in 2009-10.
Quinn won the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's top coach in 1979-80 with Philly and 1991-92 with Vancouver. Two years later he guided the Canucks to within one victory of the Stanley Cup before they fell to the New York Rangers in Game 7 of the final.
In addition to his NHL jobs, Quinn was the head coach of the Canadian men's team that won the Olympic title in 2002 in Salt Lake City, ending a 50-year gold-medal drought. He also guided Team Canada to the world junior championship in 2009.
“Whether he was playing for a team, coaching a team or building one, Pat Quinn was thoughtful, passionate and committed to success," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. "Pat’s contributions to hockey, at every level, reflected the skills he possessed and the great respect with which he treated the sport."
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/pat-quinn-dead-at-71-1.2846984
