NHL great and Hockey Hall of Famer Bob Pulford died on Monday at the age of 89.
Pulford was a member of the Stanley Cup-winning Maple Leafs teams in the 1960s and also played for the Kings before moving to a role as the coach and general manager of the Blackhawks in 1977, jobs he held in multiple stints over three decades.
“Bob Pulford left an indelible mark on the game,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. “In a remarkable career that spanned over five decades, he was one of only three people to play in the NHL, serve as President of the NHL players’ union, as well as coach and work as a general manager in the League.
“Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a player who won four Stanley Cups with the Toronto Maple Leafs during a 16-season career, Bob forged a similarly impactful post-playing career as a coach, GM and executive with the Los Angeles Kings and Chicago Blackhawks.
“Bob became a friend, counselor and confidant to me — particularly in my early years as commissioner — and I had enormous respect for him and all he gave the game. We send our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Roslyn, as well as his children and grandchildren.”
From 1961 through 1968, Pulford scored at least 17 goals in each season and he helped the Leafs win the Stanley Cup in 1962, 1963, 1964 and 1967 during his 14 seasons in Toronto.
He played two seasons with the Kings after he was traded for Garry Monahan and Brian Murphy in 1970.
Pulford was named the Jack Adams Award winner in 1975 and was head coach of the American team for the 1976 Canada Cup tournament.
He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1991.
“Bob Pulford was a towering figure in our organization and in the National Hockey League, whose impact spans generations of the game,” Blackhawks chairman & CEO Danny Wirtz said in a statement.
“Following a Hall of Fame-worthy playing career and groundbreaking role as the first president of the NHL Players’ Association, Bob continued to build his legacy in Chicago, where his loyalty to the organization was on display for more than three decades. Whether coach, general manager, senior executive, or even multiple at the same time, Bob wasn’t afraid to serve in whatever role was most needed at the time and take on the different challenges associated with each that seem unthinkable by today’s standards.”
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