[News] Al MacNeil passes away

[Paulie Walnuts]

https://www.nhl.com/flames/news/flam...-of-al-macneil

[getbak]

Legend. RIP Chopper.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Sad news.

The original "Chopper."

I remember when he came back as interim coach (between Greg Gilbert and Darryl Sutter) and he wore the old school rigid plastic "Micron" skates whilst conducting practices.

EDIT: Might've been the year before when Gilbert was suspended two games.

[Jordan!]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Sad news.

The original "Chopper."

I remember when he came back as interim coach (between Greg Gilbert and Darryl Sutter) and he wore the old school rigid plastic "Micron" skates whilst conducting practices.

I was remembering this but couldn't remember if It was my imagination.

RIP to the Legend

[Dan403]

Damn Shame.

Forever a Flame

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Sad news.

The original "Chopper."

I remember when he came back as interim coach (between Greg Gilbert and Darryl Sutter) and he wore the old school rigid plastic "Micron" skates whilst conducting practices.

I remember this old guy thrust into the fire saying we have to play the Colorado Rockies tonight that's all I know.

If that happened today...hoo boy would it cause internet outrage.

Coached the Habs to the cup and lost his job that offseason. IIRC. Ken Dryden might have helped him out there.

[looooob]

44 years with the Flames franchise. little surprised given his broad CV he's not in the HHOF as a builder though guess he never really held the highest level positions for significant times


Al won his first Stanley Cup as the rookie Head Coach of the Montreal Canadiens in 1971, his second and third Cups as the Director of Player Personnel for the Canadiens’ in their 1978 and 1979 Stanley Cup victories, and his fourth as the Assistant General Manager of the Calgary Flames’ 1989 Stanley Cup winning team.
As a long-time NHL player, coach and executive, Al took tremendous pride in developing and coaching hundreds of NHL hockey players over many decades.
As the General Manager and Head Coach of the Montreal Canadiens’ farm team, the Nova Scotia Voyageurs, he guided the team to three Calder Cup Championships in 1972, 1976 and 1977. He was named American Hockey League Coach of the Year two times, in 1972 and 1977 and was inducted into the American Hockey League Hall of Fame in 2014.
Al was an Assistant Coach of Team Canada winning the 1976 Canada Cup, and was also an Assistant Coach of the 1981 Canada Cup team.
As a junior player with the Toronto Marlboros, he won two Memorial Cups in 1955 and as team captain in 1956.
Al was the last Head Coach of the NHL’s Atlanta Flames and the first Head Coach of the Calgary Flames for their first two seasons in our city.

[Reggie Dunlop]

When the TV cameras would occasionally hone in on Cliff Fletcher and MacNeil sitting up in their executive box, they looked like the Muppet's Statler and Waldorf. I would imagine them heckling the Oilers or some other team.

[Cheese]

Damn, ####e way to start the year!

[Maritime Q-Scout]

My mother just texted me this. She was at his brother's house playing bridge today.

Good Cape Breton boy. He'll be missed.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Terrible news. He remained such an important fixture for the Flames' head office. Terribly sad to hear this news.

[Puppet Guy]

He really was Forever a Flame.

[Freeway]

Chopper was basically part of the foundation at the 'Dome, he was such an institution. Didn't get to know him much as he was largely in a consulting role when I became media, but always admired him and his work and loved the chances I had to chat with him.

[Peaceful Warrior]

I just spoke with him at the Mac's (Circle K) tournament last week. He seemed great, updated on Lanny's health, and was on his way to Kimberley for the New Year. Sad to hear, he was a great guy.

[looooob]

Originally Posted by Peaceful Warrior

I just spoke with him at the Mac's (Circle K) tournament last week. He seemed great, updated on Lanny's health, and was on his way to Kimberley for the New Year. Sad to hear, he was a great guy.

oh hmm. now I'm wondering if I did see him at the airport last week, had assumed not (though thought it was him at the time)

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by Peaceful Warrior

I just spoke with him at the Mac's (Circle K) tournament last week. He seemed great, updated on Lanny's health, and was on his way to Kimberley for the New Year. Sad to hear, he was a great guy.

Scouting, right up until the end....

[habernac]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

I remember this old guy thrust into the fire saying we have to play the Colorado Rockies tonight that's all I know.

If that happened today...hoo boy would it cause internet outrage.

Coached the Habs to the cup and lost his job that offseason. IIRC. Ken Dryden might have helped him out there.

Henri Richard didn’t like him, he lost his job. Totally unfair.

[Scooter]

Originally Posted by habernac

Henri Richard didn’t like him, he lost his job. Totally unfair.

Sad but true! Used to chat with him and Jamie Hislop at the Hitmen games when the team came to Calgary in 1995. First class person!

[greyshep]

Was always a Flames fixture and seemed like a first class person. Condolences to his family and friends.

[the-rasta-masta]

He covered two games during Greg Gilbert's suspension after the Anaheim incident and then coached the games between Gilbert's dismissal and Sutter's hiring the next season. Kind of fitting that he passed away at age 89, great number in flames lore obviously.

RIP Chopper