Former Canucks head coach Pat Quinn passes away in Vancouver
Former NHL player, coach, and general manager Pat Quinn passed away at Vancouver General Hospital last night (November 23). He was 71 years old.
The Vancouver Giants, of which Quinn was a part owner, released a statement this morning stating that Quinn had succumbed to a lengthy illness.
“Words cannot express the pain we all feel today for the Quinn family,” said Giants majority-owner Ron Toigo quoted in that release. “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.”
Hockey Hall of Fame vice-chairman Jim Gregory also released a statement.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Pat Quinn,” it reads. “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.”
Though born in Hamilton, Ontario, Quinn made Vancouver his home. He coached the Vancouver Canucks from 1991 to 1994 and again in 1996. He also held the position of general manager from 1987 to 1997 and played for the team from 1970 to 1972.
The Canucks’ 1994 playoff run was the closest Quinn ever got to a Stanley Cup. He took the team to Game 7 of the finals before losing to the New York Rangers.
In 2002, Quinn led Canada to a gold medal at the Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah, seeing the team to a 5-2 victory over the United States.
In addition to Quinn's ties to the Canucks, over the years he also served as a coach to the Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Edmonton Oilers, and as a general manager to the Maple Leafs.
During Quinn’s time on the ice he played for the Toronto Maple Leafs beginning in 1968 and then the Vancouver Canucks and the Atlanta Flames. He retired in 1977 on account of an ankle injury.
Premier Christy Clark released a statement that emphasized the significance of Quinn’s contributions to British Columbia.
“I was deeply saddened this morning to learn that Pat Quinn had passed away,” it reads. “British Columbians knew him best as one of the finest players, coaches and leaders the NHL has ever produced. Not only was he was an original Canuck, but he went on to lead the Canucks to within a game of the Stanley Cup in 1994, and will forever be remembered for coaching Team Canada to its first Olympic gold medal in 50 years.
“Pat was a big man with a bigger heart whose legacy will live on for generations, in the hockey world and beyond. His approach to his illness was the same as his approach to hockey: a challenge he met head on.”
The Giants’ statement suggests that fans wishing to express condolences can send those to patquinn@vancouvergiants.com or to team’s head office at the following address:
Pat Quinn
Vancouver Giants
100 North Renfrew Street
Vancouver, BC
V5K 3N7
Comments
2 Comments
cosmicsync
Nov 24, 2014 at 1:07pm
<blockquote>During Quinn’s time on the ice he played for the Toronto Maple Leafs beginning in 1968 and then the Vancouver Canucks and the Atlanta Flames. He retired in 1997 on account of an ankle injury.</blockquote>
I think you're off by twenty years on his retirement.
It is also worth noting that Quinn held the office of President as well as coach and GM in his second stint with the Canucks. He was brought here from Los Angeles at a particularly low point for the team. I recall the word "Superboss" being used in the media to describe him.
I'm sure there will be many great stories recounted by those who knew and worked Quinn him over the next few days.
I always loved story about Trevor Linden not being able to attend his psychological assessment prior to his first season because his dad said he had to stay home and help his uncle castrate calves. Quinn asked Linden what his job was and, upon hearing it was to wrestle the animals to the ground and hold them while his uncle castrated them, Quinn said never mind, you pass the psychological assessment.
I also recall a quote attributed to Marc Crawford, I believe when Quinn was coaching for Toronto. The Leafs were in town, and after watching them practice, Crawford told a local scribe "I'd kill to have a voice like that."
Despite his accomplishments and obvious intellect, he came across as humble and conducted himself as a gentleman and a professional.
It's very sad that his life was cut short at just 71, and that he spent his last years fighting cancer.
Martin Dunphy
Nov 24, 2014 at 6:04pm
cosmicsync:
Thanks for pointing out the typo; it has been fixed.