Long-time NHL executive Brian O’Neill dead at 94

The hockey world mourns the loss of long-time executive Brian O’Neill. O’Neill played hockey in college during his time at McGill University. In 1966, he began his career in the business side of hockey when Clarence Campbell hired him to be the NHL’s director of administration. Campbell selected him with the intention of eventually taking over his job as president of the NHL. During his time in that role, O’Neill was responsible for creating and managing the NHL’s large and complicated game schedule. He also oversaw the league’s expansion from six to 12 teams in 1967.

“An elegant and erudite man, Brian served the League in myriad ways for more than 50 years, ultimately as Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations,” said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. “He performed each and every role with modest grace, uncommon dignity and a meticulous attention to detail that commanded universal respect and admiration – from fans, Players, owners and Club executives and the media. On a personal level, for a good part of my 30 years as NHL Commissioner, Brian was a trusted advisor, providing counsel and guidance that has contributed to the continued growth of our game.”

In 1971, O’Neill was appointed executive director of the NHL. During his tenure he worked to limit violence in the game, which he called “hooliganism”. He earned a reputation around the NHL as the man who did not tolerate excessive violence in the game. At the time, a lot of players did not appreciate his methods, including NHL president Gil Stein who said “the suspensions and drawn-out hearings which marked O’Neill’s policing of the NHL had to go” at the time of his retirement. O’Neill became the NHL’s executive vice-president in 1977 and remained in that role until 1992 when he retired from the sport at the age of 73.

O’Neill also served as a trustee of the Stanley Cup since 1988 and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder in 1994.