 |
Scotty BowmanFormer National Hockey League head coach
Date of Birth: 18.09.1933
Country:  Canada |
Content:
- Early Life and Playing Career
- Coaching Career
- Peterborough Petes
- St. Louis Blues
- Montreal Canadiens
- Buffalo Sabres
- Pittsburgh Penguins
- Detroit Red Wings
- Honors and Awards
- Retirement
Early Life and Playing Career
Scott Bowman was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on September 18, 1933. His brother, Jack, would go on to become a scout for the Buffalo Sabres, and his son, Stan, became the general manager of the Chicago Blackhawks. Scott played junior hockey but a head injury cut short his playing career.
Coaching Career
Ottawa Junior CanadiensIn 1956, Bowman began his coaching career with the Ottawa Junior Canadiens in the Quebec Junior Hockey League. Two years later, he led the team to a Memorial Cup victory.
Peterborough Petes
Bowman then moved on to the Peterborough Petes, where he coached until 1967.
St. Louis Blues
In 1967, Bowman joined the NHL as an assistant coach with the St. Louis Blues. However, when head coach Lynn Patrick resigned soon after, Bowman, at the age of 34, became the head coach. Under his leadership, the Blues achieved significant success, winning the Stanley Cup Finals just three years after the franchise was established. Bowman coached the team until the 1970-1971 season.
Montreal Canadiens
Bowman was then named head coach of the Montreal Canadiens. From 1976 to 1979, Bowman's Canadiens, featuring talented players such as Guy Lafleur, Steve Shutt, Larry Robinson, and Ken Dryden, won four consecutive Stanley Cups. Bowman's team won at least 45 games in eight seasons in a row. After the 1978-1979 season, Bowman resigned, although he remains the winningest coach in Canadiens history behind Toe Blake. Bowman and general manager Sam Pollock were instrumental in developing not only the Canadiens' dynasty but also many successful future coaches and executives.
Buffalo Sabres
Bowman became the coach and general manager of the Buffalo Sabres after the 1979-1980 season. During this period, he suffered his only Finals loss as a coach in 1985-1986. Bowman took over the team as its core players were aging, but he helped revitalize the franchise and left with the most wins in team history.
Pittsburgh Penguins
After Bob Johnson's death, Bowman became head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins. He led the team to a repeat victory in the season dedicated to Johnson's memory. In the 1991-1992 season, the Penguins earned a then-franchise-record 100 points and finished the regular season with the league's best record. From 1992-1993, the Penguins set an NHL record with 17 consecutive wins. Their 119 points that season still stand as a club record. Bowman's tenure with the Penguins ended after a contract dispute with star player Mario Lemieux.
Detroit Red Wings
In 1997, Bowman became coach of the Detroit Red Wings. He led the team to three Stanley Cup victories in 1997, 1998, and 2002. In 2008, he won his eleventh Stanley Cup, serving as a consultant for the Detroit Red Wings.
Honors and Awards
Bowman has won the Jack Adams Award as NHL Coach of the Year twice, in 1977 and 1996. He coached 60 wins in the 1976-1977 season, a record he surpassed with 62 wins in 1995-96. Bowman is the only coach in the history of the NHL, Major League Baseball, the National Football League, and the NBA to win championships with three different teams.
Retirement
Bowman retired from coaching in 2002 but remained in hockey as a consultant for the Detroit Red Wings. He currently holds the position of Senior Advisor for Hockey Operations with the Chicago Blackhawks.
