{allcanada} Al Arbour, Hall of Fame Islanders coach, dies at 82

 

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Hockey Hall of Famer Al Arbour is considered one of the greatest coaches in NHL history, and he is one of the most beloved coaches in NHL history.

Those two distinctions don't always go hand-in-hand.

When Arbour, 82, died Friday, the NHL lost a decorated coach who was viewed as a father figure by many of the NHLers who played for him over his 22-season coaching career.

He was in command of the celebrated New York Islanders team that won four consecutive Stanley Cup championships from 1980-83.

The stories that have been handed down through the years have always depicted Arbour as a highly effective tactician who treated players like they were his sons.

He had an astute knack of knowing when a player needed a stern hand and when a player needed an arm around his shoulder.

"He was a sports psychologist before we ever heard the meaning of the word," said former Islanders broadcaster Jiggs McDonald. "He knew what he could get with a pat on the back or a kick in the hockey pants. He never let his guys get too high after a win or too down during a losing streak. He was a giant of a man."

The book on Arbour is that he got the most out of players because they respected him so much.

"Al will always be remembered as one of, if not, the greatest coaches ever to stand behind a bench in the history of the National Hockey League," Islanders president and general manager Garth Snow said in a statement released by the team . "The New York Islanders franchise has four Stanley Cups to its name, thanks in large part to Al's incredible efforts. From his innovative coaching methods, to his humble way of life away from the game, Al is one of the reasons the New York Islanders are a historic franchise. On behalf of the entire organization, we send our deepest condolences to the entire Arbour family."

When it became public that Arbour was suffering from Parkinson's disease and dementia, a gang of his former players went to visit him.

Arbour coached the Islanders from 1973-94, leading his team into the playoffs 15 times. He won the Jack Adams Award as NHL coach of the year in 1979. He is second on the coaches' all-time wins list behind Scotty Bowman with 782.

Arbour understood players because he played 626 games in the NHL as a glasses-wearing defenseman. He played for the Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Toronto Maple Leafs and finished his NHL career playing for Bowman in St. Louis.

Bowman had said Arbour was one of the most courageous and respected players who ever played for him. He said young players always looked up to him because of the fearless way he played the game.

Arbour played in the postseason for 1961 Blackhawks team that won the Stanley Cup, and the 1962 and 1964 Maple Leafs that won the Stanley Cup. He also played in the regular season for the 1953-54 Detroit Red Wings that won it all.

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