Legendary Islanders Coach Al Arbour Dies at 82

Legendary hockey coach Al Arbour is dead at the age of 82.

Arbour, who coached the New York Islanders to four consecutive Stanley Cup championships, was being treated for Parkinson’s disease and dementia in Florida. His death was confirmed by the Islanders on Friday.

The Islanders are saddened to confirm that legendary Hall of Fame Coach and dear friend, Al Arbour has passed away: http://t.co/sy2vTlhmc2

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) August 28, 2015

“Al will always be remembered as one of, if not the, greatest coaches ever to stand behind a bench in the history of the National Hockey League,” Islanders President and General Manager Garth Snow said in a statement. “The New York Islanders franchise has four Stanley Cups to its name, thanks in large part to Al’s incredible coaching methods, to his humble way of life away from the game, Al is one of the reasons the New York Islanders are a historic franchise. On behalf of the entire organization, we send our deepest condolences to the entire Arbour family.”

Arbour played 324 games in the NHL before joining the St. Louis Blues as a coach in 1970. He coached the Blues for four seasons before joining the Islanders’ bench. He coached the Islanders for 19 years, making the playoffs 15 times, and accumulating 740 wins in 1,500 games.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to the Arbours after the passing of our original captain, Al Arbour. #OurBlues pic.twitter.com/t69R2vGuiZ

— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) August 28, 2015

Arbour has the second-most wins of any coach in NHL history. He won three Stanley Cups as a player before his four as a coach.

He also won the Jack Adams Award as the league’s best coach in 1979.

Arbour was named to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1996