UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) — Al Arbour, who coached the New York Islanders to four consecutive Stanley Cup championships and ranks as the NHL’s second-most winningest coach, has died, team officials announced Friday. He was 82.
The cause of death is unclear, though Arbor was battling a lengthy illness and had been living in Florida. Arbour transitioned from a successful 14-season NHL playing career as a defenseman to become one of the league’s all-time best coaches.
Beginning in 1973-74, Arbour led the Isles to 15 playoff appearances and won an NHL record 119 playoff games over 19 seasons. His 740 career regular-season wins are the most with one NHL team. He retired after the 1993-94 season, before returning to coach his 1,500th game on Nov. 3, 2007.
Arbour was elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1996.
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