4-Time Stanley Cup Champion and Former Toronto Maple Leafs Passes Away
It was a sad bit of hockey news on Monday as the NHL announced the passing of former player and coach Al MacNeil.
Given the NHL is over a century old, it's no surprise that legends of the past have sadly left this world as time keeps rolling. 2024 alone saw the tragic passings of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, Chris Simon, Ed Chadwick and Sergei Berezin among others.
It's an unfortunate fact of life that time waits for no one, and the NHL was cursed with another passing.
On Monday it was announced that former four-time Stanley Cup winner and head coach Al MacNeil died at the age of 89.
The league offered a statement regarding his passing as well:
During his 524 games as a player in the NHL, he made his mark as a physical defenseman for five franchises, primarily during the Original Six era. In his post-playing career, Al was a key part of four Stanley Cup Champions.
Upon taking over as head coach of the Montreal Canadiens midway through the 1970-71 season, he led the Club to perhaps the most unexpected of their 24 Stanley Cups.
He won two more Cups with the Canadiens as Director of Player Personnel before joining the Atlanta Flames as head coach. Al stayed with the franchise during its move to Calgary, where he became a pillar of the community.
He was respected and beloved in his adopted hometown by everyone who was fortunate enough to cross his path - fans, players, media, and countless members of the Flames organization who he helped to mentor.
The National Hockey League mourns his passing and we send our deepest condolences to his wife Norma, son Allister, daughter Allison, two grandchildren, and the entire Flames organization."
Al MacNeil's Career With The Toronto Maple Leafs
Spending four seasons with the blue and white, MacNeil established himself as a no-nonsense, rugged defender who wasn't afraid about showing some intimidation on the ice.
His best season with Toronto came in 1956-57 where he scored four goals and added eight assists along with a whopping 84 PIM in 53 games. He was part of a team that featured Leafs legends Tim Horton, Bob Baun, Ted Kennedy and George Armstrong.
Using all of his 5'10, 183-pound frame, MacNeil brought ruggedness wherever he went. After Toronto he spent time with Montreal, Chicago, New York, and Pittsburgh before retiring to focus on coaching.
He took the Montreal Canadiens to a Stanley Cup victory as their head coach in 1970, but solely focused on coaching with the Atlanta, then Calgary Flames.
The Flames organization also put out a statement regarding MacNeil's passing.
We here at Hockey Patrol would like to offer our sincere condolences and best wishes to the family, friends, and colleagues of Al MacNeil during this difficult time.
