(New York) Glen Sather, who built and led the Edmonton Oilers’ last great dynasty in the 1980s and helped the New York Rangers restore their image in the early 2000s, has announced his retirement after six decades spent successively occupying the positions of player, coach and manager.
The Rangers announced his retirement Wednesday, two days after the conclusion of the NHL season.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman praised Sather’s career, which was highlighted by a streak of five Stanley Cup victories in seven years with the Oilers.
“Whether it was with the Edmonton Oilers dynasty during the 1980s, the relaunch of the New York Rangers in recent years or even different versions of Team Canada, Sather always had an eye for unearthing talent and exploiting full potential of its players,” Bettman said in a statement.
“Moreover, he had the well-being of his players at heart, wanted them to flourish as individuals and was always available to support them when they faced more difficult times,” he said. -he adds.
Sather, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997 as a builder, won five Stanley Cups as general manager of the Oilers. He was also their head coach for the first four, while John Muckler held the position for the last in 1990.
“Being associated with the National Hockey League, and specifically the New York Rangers and the Edmonton Oilers, has been one of my great privileges in life,” admitted Sather in a press release.
The man nicknamed “Slats” is one of only two men in history to have won four Stanley Cups as head coach and general manager. The other being Punch Imlach of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Sather led the Oilers to the Stanley Cup in 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988 and 1990. He was head coach of the Oilers and Rangers for 932 regular season games, compiling a record of 497-307-121 -7.
