The hockey world lost a legend Sunday night.
Former NHL player and head coach Pat Quinn died at age 71, the Hockey Hall of Fame announced Monday. Quinn most recently was chairman of the board at the Hall.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Pat Quinn,” said Jim Gregory, vice chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame. “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 Sandra and all of Pat’s family and friends at this extremely difficult time.”
Quinn spent 20 years as a coach, best known for his days behind the bench with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks, while he also spent time with the Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers. Quinn led his team to the playoffs 15 times and reached the Stanley Cup Final twice — once with the Flyers in 1980 and once with the Canucks in 1994. Quinn coached Team Canada to a gold medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
The two-time Jack Adams Award winner also served as a co-owner of the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League.
“Words cannot express the pain we all feel today for the Quinn family,” Giants majority owner Ron Toigo said. “Pat was an inspiration to all of us. He always said that respect was something that should be earned, not given, and the respect that he garnered throughout the hockey world speaks for itself. He will be sorely missed.”
During his playing career, Quinn laced up the skates for 606 NHL games with the Maple Leafs, Canucks and Atlanta Flames. Quinn, a bruising defenseman, was with the Leafs when he and Bruins legend Bobby Orr dropped the gloves.
Photo via Anne-Marie Sorvin/USA TODAY Sports Images
