Former Flames, Canadiens head coach Al MacNeil dies at 89

A decorated executive has passed away.

The Calgary Flames announced that former team executive and head coach Al MacNeil died on Sunday at the age of 89.

After a playing career that saw the rugged defenseman make stops with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins, MacNeil was hired by late Canadiens general manager Sam Pollock to help coach in the team’s minor-league ranks.

The Sydney, Nova Scotia native had his big break when he was named the Habs’ head coach in 1970, making the brave decision to start Ken Dryden in the 1971 playoffs. The move paid off, as MacNeil’s team went on to win the Stanley Cup.

MacNeil would win three more Cups in his career, each of which came in the front office. After stepping down as head coach of the Canadiens, leading to the hiring of future Hall of Famer Scotty Bowman, MacNeil was the Director of Player Personnel when Montreal won it all in 1978 and 1979.

After that, he was hired to be the bench boss for the Atlanta Flames and was the head coach as the franchise moved to Calgary. MacNeil held the post until 1982 when he became the director of player development and professional scouting. In 1989, as assistant general manager, MacNeil watched the Flames capture their first Stanley Cup.

MacNeil was also an assistant coach for Team Canada at the 1976 and 1981 Canada Cup.

“The hockey world lost an icon today with the passing of Al MacNeil,” Flames President of Hockey Operations Don Maloney said in a release. “‘Chopper’ was a Stanley Cup champion and a Calder Cup champion, but most importantly ‘he was our friend and mentor. We will sincerely miss his company and our conversations.”

MacNeil is survived by his wife, Norma, and his children, Allister and Allison.