Former New York Islanders Coach, Al Abrour, Passes Away

Al Arbour (Photo by Denis Brodeur/NHLI via Getty Images)

Former New York Islanders Head Coach Al Arbour passed away on Friday at the age of 82.

The four time Stanley Cup winning coach, had been receiving treatment for Parkinson’s disease and dementia near his home in Sarasota, Florida.

From 1979 to 1983, Arbour led the Islanders to four straight Stanley Cup Championships. In a statement from the organization, team president and general manager, Garth Snow said, “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.”

He added, “The New York Islander franchise has four Stanley Cups to its name thanks in large part 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.”

Arbour was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1996. In addition to the four Stanley Cups he led the Islanders to, Arbour also won four as a player with the Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks and Toronto Maple Leafs.

Born November 1, 1932 in Sudbury, Ontario, he received the nickname “Radar” for being one of the few players in the league to wear glasses on the ice. Following his playing days Arbour succeeded Scotty Bowman behind the St. Louis Blues bench before being let go early in the 1972-1973 season. Arbour wasn’t out of work long before then Islander general manager Bill Torrey brought him on before the organization’s second season.

On November 3, 2007, two days following his 75^th birthday he was brought back for one game, giving him 1500 games behind the Islanders bench. The 3-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins was his 740^th for the Islanders and 782^nd overall. Only Bowman, with 1244, has more wins in NHL history than Arbour.