Reaction to the death Friday of four-time Stanley Cup-winning New York Islanders coach Al Arbour:
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”Just staying with one team, nobody can do that. I think the only two people that I could remember are Al Arbour and Don Shula of the Miami Dolphins. Now, most of the other coaches, we have to move around to get our message across. But he was able to do it over a 20-year span, which is an amazing feat. … I think that tells you a lot about him, that’s for sure.” – Former NHL coach Scotty Bowman on Arbour winning 740 games with Islanders, the most by any NHL coach with one team.
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”Al will always be remembered as one of, if not the greatest coaches ever to stand behind a bench in the history of the National Hockey League. … From his innovative coaching methods, to his humble way of life away from the game, Al is one of the reasons the New York Islanders are a historic franchise.” – Islanders President and general manager Garth Snow.
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”A four-time Stanley Cup champion as a player and a brilliant motivator and tactician as a coach, Al Arbour directed the Islanders’ rapid transformation from expansion team to NHL powerhouse. … As it grieves the loss of a profound influence on coaching and on the game itself, the NHL sends its heartfelt condolences to Al’s family and friends, to his former teammates and to all the players he mentored.” – NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.
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”He treated his team like a family. You have good days, you have bad days. But you’re going together as a team, as a group and you don’t falter. He really set the tone from Day One. He never took a backwards step, and he certainly didn’t expect the team would.” – Former Islanders GM Bill Torrey.
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”Al was a tremendous mentor both on and off the ice. My dad, who passed away several years ago, had said, `If I had to leave you with another dad, Al Arbour is the right guy for you.”’ – Islanders Hall of Fame defenseman Denis Potvin.
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”The hockey world lost a great man, and a wonderful person and I lost a friend. Al Arbor can not be replaced. Everyone wondering what to toast Al Arbour with tonight. Thats easy champagne, Al was a winner over and over. The drink of Champions.” – Former Islanders player Butch Goring on Twitter.
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”Have so many thoughts on passing of Al Arbour. So sad, he impacted my career, life deeply. Rest peacefully Al.” – Former Islanders player Ray Ferraro on Twitter.
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”R.I.P. Al Arbour. You changed my dads life and my family lived blessed b/c of that. Heroes are remembered, but LEGENDS never die!” – Nashville Predators forward Eric Nystrom on Twitter, referring to his father and former Islanders star Bob Nystrom.
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