Former Calgary Flames executive, head coach Al MacNeil dies at 89

Longtime Calgary Flames executive Al MacNeil, who also served as head coach for parts of four seasons with the franchise, died on Sunday, the team announced.

He was 89 years old.

“Al was a great man who will be dearly missed by our organization,” Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation chairman Murray Edwards said in a release. “He was a long-term loyal member of our Flames family ever since the team’s arrival in Calgary in 1980. He played, coached, and managed in both the NHL and AHL, and had ultimate success while doing so. We send our heartfelt condolences to his wife Norma, son Allister, daughter Allison, son-in-law Paul Sparkes and grandsons Jack and Ben.”

MacNeil played 11 seasons in the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins.

He recorded 92 points (17 goals and 75 assists) in 524 career games.

MacNeil finished his on-ice career as a player/coach with Houston Apollos of the Central Hockey League in 1968-69 and the AHL’s Montreal Voyageurs in 1969-70.

He guided the Montreal Canadiens to the Stanley Cup as a rookie coach in 1971 and won two more championships with the team as director of player personnel in 1978 and 1979.

MacNeil joined the Atlanta Flames as head coach in 1979 and remained in that role when the franchise moved to Calgary the following year.

After three seasons behind the bench, he was promoted to director of player development and professional scouting. MacNeil earned a fourth Stanley Cup title in 1989.

MacNeil returned to the bench in December 2001 after the Flames fired Greg Gilbert. He served as interim head coach for 11 games before the team hired Darryl Sutter.

“Having positively impacted every aspect of Flames hockey operations over the 44-year history of the franchise, Al will be remembered as a legend within the Flames family,” CSEC President and CEO Robert Hayes said. “His reputation and experience allowed him to command the room with his advice and guidance. Al’s contributions will never be replaced.”