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Former Edmonton Oilers head coach John Muckler dies at 86

Photo credit: twitter.com/edmontonoilers

By Zach Laing

Jan 5, 2021, 13:18 ESTUpdated: Jan 5, 2021, 13:37 EST

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The legendary John Muckler who was a part of five Stanley Cup-winning teams with the Edmonton Oilers has died at age 86.

The news was announced by the Oilers Monday night.

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The #Oilers Hockey Club is saddened to report the passing of our former Head Coach, five-time Stanley Cup champion & dear friend of the organization John Muckler.

4:45 AM · Jan 5, 2021

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Muckler was part of the staff that helped put together and run the dynasty of the 1980’s joining the club in 1982. There, Muckler was an assistant coach under Glen Sather before taking over as head coach in 1989-90.

That year he led the Oilers to their latest Stanley Cup.

Born in Midland, Ont. in 1934, Muckley got his start in the hockey world as a player spending the bulk of his time in the Eastern Hockey League. He transitioned into coaching in 1962 as a player-coach for the EHL’s Long Island Ducks.

His first NHL look behind the bench came in 1968-69 when he took over the Minnesota North Stars bench from Wren Blair. Muckler spent the next decade working as a head coach in the AHL and CHL before he was hired to the Oilers.

Muckler left the Oilers in 1991 and worked for the Buffalo Sabres, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators and Phoenix Coyotes before stepping away in 2009.

On Twitter: @zjlaing