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Bob Gainey
Born in Peterborough, Ontario on December 13, 1953, Bob Gainey became the 15th General Manager in the history of the Montreal Canadiens on June 2, 2003. On January 14, 2006, he took over as interim head coach of the Canadiens before handing over the coaching duties to Guy Carbonneau on May 5, 2006. On February 23, the Canadiens officially retired his No. 23 jersey at a ceremony which took place at the Bell Centre. Under Roger Neilson, he starred with the hometown Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey Association. Gainey was blessed with immense speed along with a great desire to win. His ability to shut down the best players on the opposition impressed many scouts. Montreal Canadiens general manager Sam Pollock knew a surefire NHLer when he saw one and made sure he chose Gainey in the first round of the NHL Amateur Draft in 1973. As a rookie, Gainey demonstrated his commitment to defensive hockey and his clean but feared bodychecking. He showed even more poise as a sophomore in 1974-75, when he played on a line with Jacques Lemaire and Yvan Cournoyer. Following his third NHL season, Gainey was picked to represent his country in the inaugural Canada Cup in 1976 and his combination of speed, tenacity and physical play enabled him to fill an important role on the victorious Canadian contingent. Described by Russian hockey pioneer Viktor Tikhonor as the world’s most complete hockey player, from 1973 to 1989 Gainey played his entire NHL career with the Canadiens, and was the team captain for his last eight seasons. His resumé includes five Stanley Cup championships (1975 to 1979 and 1985-86) and seven Prince of Wales Conference championships. A four-time All Star team selection, Gainey also won the Frank Selke Trophy four consecutive seasons, from 1978 to 1981, more than any other NHL player. He was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Playoffs Most Valuable Player in 1979. While helping Montreal win four consecutive Stanley Cup titles from 1976 to 1979, Gainey became a star despite never being a flashy scorer. His name appeared in the game summary less frequently than most of his teammates, but without him the Canadiens might not as won as easily. Gainey exploded for 16 points when the Canadiens won the Cup for the fourth straight time in 1979. In the finals, the Rangers won the first game and started strongly in the second. Gainey's winning goal in game two shifted the momentum in Montreal's favour and sent the Habs on their way to the Cup. For his immense contribution, he was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy. Gainey's style of play and ability to check and skate with the NHL's top forwards inspired the league to create a new post-season award. Beginning in 1978, the NHL presented the Frank J. Selke Trophy to the top defensive forward in the game. Fittingly, Gainey was the recipient in each of the first four years it was awarded. Prior to the 1981-82 season, Gainey was named Serge Savard's successor as captain of the Canadiens. As one of the few remaining players from the 1970s, he was expected to oversee the passing along of the organization's winning tradition to the younger players. In 1983-84, with Gainey as captain and leader, the Canadiens embarked on a great run to the semifinals. Gainey and linemates Guy Carbonneau and Chris Nilan played a key role in shutting down the top guns on the heavily favored Bruins and Nordiques before giving the defending champion Islanders all they could handle in the semis. The veteran captain hoisted the Stanley Cup for the fifth time in his career in 1986. Playing with great poise, Gainey scored five goals and recorded 10 points while patrolling his wing with customary efficiency. His leadership helped the team register consecutive 100-point seasons in 1987-88 and 1988-89. In the latter of those, the Habs reached the finals, then succumbed to the Calgary Flames in six games. Following the series, Gainey announced his retirement. After leaving the NHL, Gainey signed on for a year as player-coach of the Epinal franchise in French hockey's first division. He made a triumphant return to North America and was appointed general manager of the Minnesota North Stars in January 1992. In his first year behind the bench, he guided the team to the second Stanley Cup finals, appearance in franchise history and he remained with the organization when it relocated to Dallas in 1993. He was the Stars’ Head Coach and General Manager from 1992 to 1996. From 1996 to 2002, as the Stars General Manager, Gainey led his team to one Stanley Cup Championship (1999), five consecutive Division Championships (from 1996 to 2001), and two Presidents’ Trophies awarded to the team with the NHL’s best regular season record (1998 and 1999). In Texas, Gainey helped build the team into a league powerhouse. Gainey stepped down as coach in 1995 to focus solely on the duties of general manager. He masterminded the acquisition of key performers such as Joe Nieuwendyk, Pat Verbeek, Brett Hull and Ed Belfour, who augmented homegrown U.S. talent like Derian Hatcher and Jamie Langenbrunner. The Stars won the Presidents' Trophy for having the most points in the NHL in 1998 and 1999. In the second of these seasons, Dallas won the first Stanley Cup in the history of the franchise. An unqualified success since entering the NHL, Gainey was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1992. At the international level, Gainey was Assistant General Manager of the 1996 Canadian Team at the World Cup of Hockey, and was one of three general managers of the Canadian Olympic team at the Nagano games in 1998. He was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1992. Bob Gainey is a member of the NHL Competitive Rules Committee since 2005.Bob Gainey was named the 15th General Manager in the history of the Montreal Canadiens on June 2, 2003, and officially assumed the position on July 1 of the same year.
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