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Robert Michael "Bob" Gainey (Born December 13, 1953 in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada) is the current executive vice president, general manager, (and former ice hockey player) of the Montreal Canadiens.
Early years
From 1970 to 1973 Bob had his junior start with the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League.
Professional years
| Gainey in his 'bleu-blanc-rouge' uniform | |
|---|---|
A defensive specialist, Gainey played with the Montreal Canadiens from 1972-73 to 1988-89, winning four consecutive Frank J. Selke Trophies, awarded to the league's best defensive forward and seven Stanley Cups. In 1973, Gainey was drafted into both the WHA and the NHL. The Montreal Canadiens had selected him in the first round, 8th overall in the 1973 NHL Amateur Draft and the Minnesota Fighting Saints had also drafted him in the first round, 7th overall in the 1973 WHA Amateur Draft. Gainey never played in the WHA as he spent his entire career playing for the Canadiens in the NHL. He was team captain of the Canadiens from 1981 until his retirement in 1989.
In total, he played in 1160 regular season games, scored 239 goals, and registered 263 assists. He was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1992. For the majority of his career he was regarded by many in the Soviet Union hockey system as the greatest hockey player ever. Bob Gainey was described as the world's best all-around player by legendary Soviet national team coach Viktor Tikhonov.
Post hockey playing years
After his retirement, Gainey became head coach of the Minnesota North Stars in 1990-91, guiding his team to the sixth game of the Stanley Cup finals in his first season. In January 1992, Gainey also was named general manager. In 1993, after the franchise relocated to Dallas, he stepped down as head coach to focus solely on his general manager duties. Gainey turned the franchise into the powerhouse it was and still is today by acquiring players such as Joe Nieuwendyk, Brett Hull, Ed Belfour, and Derian Hatcher. The team won the Presidents' Trophy in 1998 and 1999. Dallas won the Stanley Cup in 1999.
On June 21, 1995, Bob's wife Cathy lost her five year battle with brain cancer.
In 1997, as Stars general manager, Bob drafted his son Steven 77th overall in the annual NHL Entry Draft. Steve Gainey currently plays in the Phoenix Coyotes organization, playing 20 games for them in the 2005-06 NHL season.
Along with Bobby Clarke and Pierre Gauthier, Bob was given the responsibility of selecting Canada's men's ice hockey squad for the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan.
Gainey became general manager of the Montreal Canadiens in May 2003 turning the Canadiens into a playoff contender. On January 13, 2006, Gainey fired Canadiens' head coach Claude Julien and stepped in as head coach on an interim basis. At the same time, Gainey hired Guy Carbonneau to work as an associate coach, handing the coaching reigns over to him for the 2006-2007 season.
See also
1953 births | Living people | Canadian ice hockey players | Montreal Canadiens players | Hockey Hall of Fame | Canadian Sports Hall of Fame | Ontario sportspeople | Stanley Cup champions | Minnesota North Stars coaches | Dallas Stars coaches | Peterborough Petes alumni | People from Peterborough, Ontario | Frank Selke Trophy winners | Conn Smythe Trophy winners | Montreal Canadiens coaches | Current National Hockey League General Managers | National Hockey League first round draft picks
"Bob Gainey"