Islanders Hall of Fame coach Al Arbour dies at 82
Former New York Islanders coach and Hockey Hall of Famer Al Arbour has died at age 82.
The Islanders confirmed reports of Arbour's death in a release. Arbour coached the team for 19 seasons, leading the Isles to the playoffs 15 times and winning four straight Stanley Cups from 1980-83. He is the NHL's second-winningest coach of all time.
Prior to his coaching career, Arbour spent 14 years in the league as a player, logging 626 games as a defenseman with the Red Wings, Blackhawks, Maple Leafs and Blues. He won the Stanley Cup as a player with Detroit (1954), Chicago (1961) and Toronto (1962, 1964).
Legendary coach Al Arbour was master motivator with special touch
family.”
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement, “The National Hockey League deeply mourns the passing of Al Arbour, revered head coach of the dynastic New York Islanders.
“A four-time Stanley Cup champion as a player and a brilliant motivator and tactician as a coach, Al Arbour directed the Islanders' rapid transformation from expansion team to NHL powerhouse—guiding them to four straight Stanley Cup championships, five consecutive appearances in the Stanley Cup Final and an astounding 19 consecutive playoff series victories. As it grieves the loss of a profound influence on coaching and on the game itself, the NHL sends its heartfelt condolences to Al's family and friends, to his former teammates and to all the players he mentored.”
Arbour, a native of Sudbury, Ontario, also spent time in the Islanders' front office during the 1980's. He retired in 1994 having coached 1,499 total games, and he was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1996.
- Jeremy Woo