Bob Pulford has died at the age of 89, the National Hockey League Alumni Association announced on Monday.
Pulford spent 14 seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs as a player before going on to a lengthy career in coaching and management with the Los Angeles Kings and Chicago Blackhawks.
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Bob Pulford, one of the most respected figures in the history of hockey. Bob’s remarkable career spanned decades and left an enduring mark on the game at every level.
As a player, Bob proudly wore the sweaters of the Toronto Maple Leafs… pic.twitter.com/b4pD7z7Igp
— NHL Alumni (@NHLAlumni) January 5, 2026
A winner of four Stanley Cups with the Leafs, Pulford was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1991.
Born in Newton Robinson, Ont., Pulford made his NHL debut in 1956 and went on to play in 1,079 games over the next 16 seasons.
A five-time All-Star, Pulford, who spent his final two seasons as a player with the Kings, scored 281 goals and added 262 assists.
After retiring as a player after the 1971-1972 season, Pulford was named head coach of the Kings the following year. He spent five seasons at the helm of the team and won the Jack Adams as the NHL’s top coach in 1975.
Following his departure from the Kings in 1977, Pulford would spend much of the next 20 years with the Chicago Blackhawks, both behind the bench and in the front office. He had three separate coaching spells with the team over seven seasons, winning three division titles. Pulford also had three separate stints as the team’s general manager.
He finished his coaching tenure with a record of 363-330-136 across 12 seasons.