November 24th, 2014
The Vancouver Giants announced Monday that co-owner and former NHL coach Pat Quinn passed away on Sunday night at Vancouver General Hospital after a lengthy illness.
“Words cannot express the pain we all feel today for the Quinn family,” said Giants majority owner Ron Toigo. “Pat was an inspiration to all of us. He always said that respect was something that should be earned, not given, and the respect that he garnered throughout the hockey world speaks for itself. He will be sorely missed.”
Concern and an outpouring of support was expressed last week when Quinn, whose health had been in decline the past year, missed the Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
A native of Hamilton, Ont., Quinn coached 20 seasons in the NHL for the Edmonton Oilers, Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings, Vancouver Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs. He reached the playoffs 15 times and the Stanley Cup Final twice, with the Flyers in 1980 and the Canucks in 1994.
He was a two-time winner of the Jack Adams Award as NHL coach of year, with the Flyers in 1980 and the Canucks in 1992.
Daughter Kalli Quinn requested privacy when the family was reached last week by the Vancouver Sun: “In response to the numerous inquiries following my father’s absence at the recent Hockey Hall of Fame induction celebrations, we would like to thank our friends, hockey family and media for their concerns regarding his ongoing health issues. As everyone knows, Dad has always met his challenges head on, as he has with this latest setback.”
Quinn also coached Team Canada to gold medals at the 2002 Winter Olympics, the 2008 IIHF World Championships and the 2009 World Junior Championships. He also led Team Canada to the World Cup title in 2004.
Prior to his decorated coaching career, Quinn played 606 NHL games as defenceman for the Maple Leafs, Canucks and Atlanta Flames. Quinn won a Memorial Cup with the Edmonton Oil Kings in 1963.
In 2012 Quinn was honoured with the Order of Canada. He was a co-owner of the Giants.
Those wishing to send messages of condolence are asked to either email
pa******@va*************.com
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pa******@va*************.com
or send mail to the Giants’ offices at the address listed below.
Pat Quinn
Vancouver Giants
100 North Renfrew Street
Vancouver, BC
V5K 3N7
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My favorite coach / GM of all time.
I was so happy that I got to meet him in person at a BC Lions game in 2013.
A true hockey legend.
God needed a Coach along side Pat Burns.
Apart from his legend, I will always remember my chats with Pat during fund-raising activities when we both served on so-called “Gold Panels.” Always pleasant, ready with a good story (hockey and otherwise) and willing to do more than his fair share at whatever event we were attending.
RIP Pat. You are missed.