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Islanders coach Al Arbour dead at 82

By Matt Verderame

Jan 28, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; A worker puts finishing touches on the New York Islanders logo after the Islanders practice the day before the Stadium Series hockey game at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; A worker puts finishing touches on the New York Islanders logo after the Islanders practice the day before the Stadium Series hockey game at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /
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Former New York Islanders head coach and Hockey Hall of Famer Al Arbour passed away on Friday morning at the age of 82. Arbour is best known for winning four consecutive Stanley Cup championships from 1980-83, before reaching a fifth consecutive Final in 1984. The cause of death is unknown, although Arbour was suffering from Parkinson’s Disease and dementia, according to ESPN.com.

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Arbour is often overlooked as one of the great coaches of all-time, with many pointing to either Scotty Bowman, Toe Blake or Lester Patrick for that distinction. However, Arbour was truly one of the greatest minds to ever roam the bench. After coaching the St. Louis Blues for three seasons, Arbour took over the Islanders in 1973-74 – their second year of existence – Arbour sustained only one losing season before reaching the postseason in 1974-75. That year, the Islanders overcame a 3-0 series deficit to defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round before falling one game short of the Final.

After making the playoffs for the next four seasons but failing to reach the ultimate goal, Arbour and the Islanders broke through in 1979-80 to win the franchise’s first title, defeating the Philadelphia Flyers in six games. The following three years would also end in celebration for Long Island, with New York overcoming the Minnesota North Stars, Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers. In totality, the Islanders won an astounding 19 consecutive playoff series, a record almost certain never to be broken.

Arbour would stay on to coach New York through the 1985-86 season. He would return to the bench in 1998 and remained there until 1994. While Arbour could not win another championship, the Islanders were consistently in the postseason throughout his tenure.

The Sudbury, Ontario native was also a defenseman in the National Hockey League for the better part of two decades, playing with the Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Toronto Maple Leafs and Blues from 1953-71.

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