John Mucker, a hockey “lifer” who played a key role in building and maintaining one of the greatest dynasties in National Hockey League history, has died at the age of 86.
Muckler was part of the staff that put together the Edmonton Oilers of the 1980s--a team that won five Stanley Cups and featured seven players and a coach who made it to the Hockey Hall of Fame–a team that included the NHL’s all-time scoring leader, Wayne Gretzky.
As well, he served as a coach for three NHL All-Star Games and for Canada’s ’84 and ’87 Canada Cup winning teams.
The Oilers announced Muckler’s death Monday night.
No cause was given.
The #Oilers Hockey Club is saddened to report the passing of our former Head Coach, five-time Stanley Cup champion & dear friend of the organization John Muckler. pic.twitter.com/yTr8ytWfsr
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) January 5, 2021
“He was tough, strict, but most importantly fair, and he helped lay the groundwork to make our team more accountable to each other which propelled us to become champions,” Gretzky said in a news release.
“A wonderful family man and great friend, he personally took my career to another level, and I will always cherish the hours we talked, from breaking down defences to raising a family. Rest in peace, John, you will be missed.”
Wayne Gretzky sits with his fourth Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe Trophy after Edmonton defeated Boston to win the NHL championship May 26, 1988 in Edmonton. At left is coach Glen Sather. Over Gretzky’s left shoulder is assistant coach John Muckler, a long-time friend and advisor of Gretzky. (REUTERS/Gary Hershorn (CANADA SPORT ICE HOCKEY)
Following an undistinguished minor league career, mainly in the Eastern Hockey League where he first coached, Muckler joined Edmonton in 1981 as an assistant coach under Glen Sather.
The team’s five Stanley Cups between 1984 and 1990–the last one with Muckler as the head coach–set Canada on fire.
Muckler left Edmonton to become director of operations and head coach with Buffalo from 1991 to 1995 and then moved on to coach the New York Rangers from 1997 to 2000, where once again he hooked up with Gretzky, who was wrapping up his stellar career.
John Muckler, left, and Wayne Gretzky share a few words during a practice session in New York in1999 just prior to Gretzky’s retirement as a player. The pair shared many years as coach and player, and in 2008 Muckler served as a special advisor to Phoenix Coyotes, when Gretzky was the head coach. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson)
In 2001, Muckler took over as Ottawa general manager and helped put together a team that reached the 2007 Stanley Cup final before losing in five games to the Anaheim Mighty Ducks.
Muckler, who also briefly coached the 1968-69 Minnesota North Stars, finished his coaching career with a 276–288–84 record.
His final NHL season was in 2008 when he served as a senior advisor with the Phoenix Coyotes, a team Gretzky coached.
With files from CBC News, The Canadian Press, Hockey Hall of Fame
For reasons beyond our control, and for an undetermined period of time, our comment section is now closed. However, our social networks remain open to your contributions.