Bob Pulford, an esteemed Hockey Hall of Fame player who later had a successful career in the NHL as a coach and general manager, has passed away at the age of 89. The NHL Alumni Association was informed of Pulford’s death by his family, although no further details were disclosed.
Pulford, known for his tenacity and reliability on the ice, played a significant role in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ conquest of the Stanley Cup four times over his 14-year tenure with the team from 1956 to 1970. Hailing from Newton Robinson, Ontario, he was a key member of the 1967 championship-winning squad, the last Stanley Cup victory for the organization. Pulford’s exceptional skills earned him five all-star game selections and saw him lead the league in short-handed goals thrice. His stellar performance culminated in his induction into the Hall of Fame in 1991 after amassing 694 points in 1,168 regular-season and playoff games.
Beyond his playing career, Pulford was instrumental in the early days of the players’ union, serving as its inaugural president and contributing to the foundation of the modern NHLPA through his early involvement in collective bargaining.
Following his playing days, Pulford transitioned into coaching and managerial roles, spending his final two seasons as a player with the Los Angeles Kings in the early 1970s before coaching the team for the subsequent five years. He then assumed various leadership positions within the Chicago Blackhawks organization from 1977 to 2007, including stints as general manager and senior vice-president of hockey operations, occasionally taking on coaching duties as well.
Chicago chairman and CEO Danny Wirtz, grandson of Pulford’s former employer Bill, praised Pulford for his versatility and willingness to tackle diverse challenges across different roles, highlighting his selfless dedication to the sport. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman also paid tribute to Pulford, emphasizing his significant impact on the game and personal mentorship to Bettman during the latter’s early years as commissioner.
Described by the NHL Alumni Association as one of the most esteemed figures in hockey history, Pulford’s legacy and contributions to the sport will be enduringly remembered. The NHLAA bid farewell to Pulford, acknowledging his lasting influence on the hockey community and those privileged to have known him.