Former National Hockey League (NHL) manager Brian O’Neill died Friday at the age of 94.
This was announced by the Bettman racetrack in a press release. The exact causes of death are not known.
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O’Neill is a graduate of Loyola College in Montreal and McGill University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and a degree in Economic Commerce. In addition, he was part of the ice hockey teams of these university institutions.
1/2 RIP Brian O’Neill, an influential NHL manager for more than 50 years, who died today in Montreal at the age of 94. I really enjoyed sitting in his Montreal office with this great gentleman and collecting his endless stories. … https://t.co/ebctkrPOve pic.twitter.com/XGDHi60CHe
— Dave Stubbs 🇨🇦 (@Dave_Stubbs) July 21, 2023
NHL President Clarence Campbell hired him as administrative director in 1966.
He was one of those responsible for expanding the circle in 1967, doubling the number of formations in the league. He was therefore commissioned to create the first 12-team calendar for the 1967–1968 season.
He was then appointed general manager of the NHL in 1970. O’Neill retired from the hockey world in 1992. His outstanding league career was recognized two years later when he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. In 2016, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and many league executives celebrated at a luncheon in Montreal.
“Brian is elegant and sophisticated and has served the league in countless ways for more than 50 years, most recently as executive vice president of hockey operations. He played each role with an unassuming grace, uncommon dignity and a meticulous attention to detail that elicited universal respect and admiration from fans, players, team owners and managers, and the media,” the NHL boss said in a statement Friday.
His funeral will be held at St. Patrick’s Basilica in Montreal on September 2nd.