Hockey Hall of Famer Cliff Fletcher dead at 90
The legendary NHL executive and builder, who spent 25 years with the Toronto Maple Leafs, passed away after seven decades in professional hockey.
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Cliff Fletcher, one of the NHL's greatest builders and a towering figure in professional hockey for seven decades, has died at age 90.
Fletcher was widely regarded as one of the sport's sharpest talent evaluators and most respected executives. He spent 25 years with the Toronto Maple Leafs and held general manager roles with six NHL organizations over his career.
He began in the NHL with the Montreal Canadiens in 1956 as a scout. A decade later, he joined the St. Louis Blues organization before landing his first GM position with the Atlanta Flames in 1972. When the Flames relocated to Calgary in 1980, Fletcher remained with the franchise and helped guide it to its only Stanley Cup championship in 1989.
Fletcher also worked as a general manager with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Phoenix Coyotes. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder in 2004.
"Few men in the history of hockey have had as profound and lasting an impact on the game as Cliff Fletcher," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. "Revered for his keen eye for talent, respected for his management acumen and beloved for his character, Cliff devoted seven decades to hockey in myriad roles."
The Toronto Maple Leafs released a statement calling Fletcher "part of our hockey family." The club extended condolences to his children Chuck and Kristy, their families, and his partner Linda.