Former National Hockey League player, coach and general manager Pat Quinn is set to become the Hockey Hall of Fame’s chairman of the board.
Effective Aug. 1, Quinn will replace current chairman and chief executive officer Bill Hay, who announced Thursday that he will retire on July 31.
“The Hockey Hall of Fame celebrates excellence in the game of hockey and in view of this mandate I am especially proud to become chairman of the board,” Quinn said in a press release.
“Bill Hay’s distinguished service is unparalleled and the manner in which his leadership has advanced the Hall’s interests, along with the respect I have for the Selection Committee and selection process, are all key motivating factors to contribute at the Board level.”
Quinn has been a member of the HHOF Selection Committee since 1998 and was inducted as a member of the Order of Canada in November.
The 70-year-old, who was a member of Hockey Central’s Strategy Room during the 2013 NHL Trade Deadline, has a coaching and managerial history in the NHL dating back to the 1970s.
Throughout his career Quinn spent time either coaching or managing the Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings, Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers. He also played nine seasons in the NHL, split between the Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks and Atlanta Flames.
In 2002, Quinn was the head coach of the men’s team that won Olympic gold in Salt Lake City and also won gold as coach of Team Canada at the 2009 World Junior Championships.
Hay was appointed as chairman and CEO of the HHOF in 1998 and had been a part of the Selection Committee for 17 years between 1980 and 1997.
“I have countless fond memories of my association with the Hockey Hall of Fame over the past 33 years,” Hay said.
“It’s been an incredible honour and privilege to serve this iconic institution and to interact with the people that make it so special. With today’s appointments, I am confident that the Hall will carry on the outstanding work of preserving and promoting the history of our great game.”
In addition to his current role as president, Jeff Denomme will also become CEO of the HHOF.
“The opportunity to be a part of shaping a premier attraction dedicated to our game is a truly unique and engaging experience,” Denomme said. “I am grateful to Bill for his contributions and support and to our Board for their endorsement as we strive to innovate and build on past accomplishments which have made the Hockey Hall of Fame a leader in the sports hall of fame and museum field.”
Denomme began his career with the HHOF in 1986 as an intern.