Glen Sather has retired after spending six decades as a player, head coach and front office executive, the New York Rangers announced Wednesday.
The 80-year-old was the architect of the Edmonton Oilers‘ dynasty that won the Stanley Cup five times over a seven-season span.
Sather, who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1997, most recently served as senior advisor to the owner and alternate governor with the Rangers.
“Having the opportunity to be associated with the National Hockey League, and specifically the New York Rangers and Edmonton Oilers, has been one of the great privileges of my life,” Sather said in a statement released by the team. “I want to thank Jim Dolan for giving me the chance to work for the Rangers 24 years ago and for his consistent guidance and friendship.
“I want to thank everyone in the Rangers organization for their dedication and pursuit of excellence throughout the years, as well as the family atmosphere they helped create. I would also like to thank the great Rangers fans for their passion and loyalty. This experience is something I will always treasure.”
Sather played 10 seasons in the NHL with the Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins, Rangers, St. Louis Blues, Montreal Canadiens and Minnesota North Stars.
He finished his playing career with the Oilers in the WHA during the 1976-77 season and was named player/coach during the year.
Sather added the role of GM in 1980, and held the title for 20 years. He stepped away from coaching in 1989.
Sather coached for 932 NHL regular season games with the Oilers and Rangers with 497 wins and earned the Jack Adams Award as coach of the year in 1986.
He also holds an 89-37 coaching record in the playoffs with his .706 winning percentage the best for any head coach in NHL history.
Sather joined the Rangers as president and GM in 2000. He stepped down as Rangers GM in 2015 and president four years later.
“I would like to congratulate Glen on his tremendous career,” Rangers president and GM Chris Drury said. “I will forever be grateful to Glen for giving me the opportunity to play for the Rangers, and I was so fortunate to lean on him for guidance as I began my own career in the front office. I wish Glen — along with Ann and the entire Sather family — best of luck in the next chapter of their lives.”