Former head coach of the Montreal Canadiens who led the team to the Stanley Cup in 1971, Al MacNeil passed away on Sunday at the ripe old age of 89.
It was indeed MacNeil who led the Habs during one of its most improbable epics.
Carried by a rookie goalie in full possession of his means by the name of Ken Dryden, the CH had defied the predictions by eliminating the Boston Bruins then the Minnesota North Stars before defeating the Chicago Blackhawks in the final.
MacNeil added two Stanley Cups as the Canadiens’ director of player personnel in 1978 and 1979.
In a press release, Canadians offered their most sincere condolences to the family, friends and all those close to the deceased.
He then headed to Atlanta to manage the Flames and followed the organization when it moved to Calgary. There, MacNeil earned another title as assistant to the general manager in 1989 and established himself as a pillar in the community.
That’s without counting his very honest career of 524 games as a tough defenseman in the National Hockey League with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Canadiens, the Blackhawks, the New York Rangers and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
MacNeil is survived by his wife Norma, his son Allister Jr., his daughter Allison and two grandchildren.
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