Bob Pulford, a renowned Hockey Hall of Fame member who had a successful career in the NHL as both a coach and general manager, has passed away at the age of 89. The NHL Alumni Association was informed of his death by his family, but no further details have been disclosed.
Pulford, a tough and reliable forward, played a significant role in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ four Stanley Cup victories during his tenure with the team from 1956 to 1970. He was a key member of the 1967 championship-winning team, which remains the organization’s most recent title. Pulford participated in five all-star games and led the league in short-handed goals three times. In 1991, he was rightfully inducted into the Hall of Fame after amassing 694 points in 1,168 regular-season and playoff games.
Off the ice, Pulford served as the initial president of the players union, contributing to early collective bargaining efforts and laying the groundwork for today’s NHLPA. Following his playing career, he transitioned to coaching with the Los Angeles Kings for two seasons before assuming coaching duties for an additional five years. Subsequently, Pulford took on managerial roles with the Chicago Blackhawks for a remarkable three-decade period from 1977 to 2007, occasionally stepping back onto the bench as a coach.
Chicago’s chairman and CEO, Danny Wirtz, praised Pulford’s versatility and willingness to adapt to various roles as needed, reflecting on his significant contributions to the team’s history. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman acknowledged Pulford’s profound impact on the sport, crediting him as a mentor and a key figure in his early years as commissioner.
The NHL Alumni Association paid tribute to Pulford, hailing him as a highly respected figure in hockey history. Pulford’s legacy and influence on the sport, as well as his lasting impact on those fortunate enough to have known him, will be remembered with gratitude.