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Emile Percival “The Cat” Francis

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Emile Percival “The Cat” Francis Famous memorial

Birth
North Battleford, North Battleford Census Division, Saskatchewan, Canada
Death
19 Feb 2022 (aged 95)
West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida, USA
Burial
Royal Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida, USA GPS-Latitude: 26.6816333, Longitude: -80.2154861
Memorial ID
View Source
Hall of Fame Professional Hockey Player, Coach, Executive. He was best known to hockey fans for not only being a player, but also serving as both a head coach and general manager in the National Hockey League. He got his start in the National Hockey League with the Chicago Black Hawks in 1947. From 1948 to 1952, he was the back-up goaltender for the New York Rangers. He finished out his career on a number of minor league teams in both the AHL and WHL including the Vancouver Canucks. After his playing career finished, he first became a head coach with the OHA's Guelph Royals and then became the head coach of the Rangers from 1965 to 1975. He helped turn the Rangers from a league doormat to one of the best teams of the late 60's and early 70s. They made the playoffs in every season from 1967 to 1975. He went on to join the St. Louis Blues and had two separate head coaching stints with them. He led them to first place overall in 1980 to 1981. He later served as general manager of the Hartford Whalers from 1979 until 1988 and won the Adams Division title in 1986 to 1987. In 1982, his hockey career was honored with both the Lester Patrick Trophy and being inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Hall of Fame Professional Hockey Player, Coach, Executive. He was best known to hockey fans for not only being a player, but also serving as both a head coach and general manager in the National Hockey League. He got his start in the National Hockey League with the Chicago Black Hawks in 1947. From 1948 to 1952, he was the back-up goaltender for the New York Rangers. He finished out his career on a number of minor league teams in both the AHL and WHL including the Vancouver Canucks. After his playing career finished, he first became a head coach with the OHA's Guelph Royals and then became the head coach of the Rangers from 1965 to 1975. He helped turn the Rangers from a league doormat to one of the best teams of the late 60's and early 70s. They made the playoffs in every season from 1967 to 1975. He went on to join the St. Louis Blues and had two separate head coaching stints with them. He led them to first place overall in 1980 to 1981. He later served as general manager of the Hartford Whalers from 1979 until 1988 and won the Adams Division title in 1986 to 1987. In 1982, his hockey career was honored with both the Lester Patrick Trophy and being inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Bio by: Mr. Badger Hawkeye



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  • Maintained by: Find a Grave
  • Originally Created by: Mr. Badger Hawkeye
  • Added: Feb 19, 2022
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/236901011/emile_percival-francis: accessed ), memorial page for Emile Percival “The Cat” Francis (13 Sep 1926–19 Feb 2022), Find a Grave Memorial ID 236901011, citing Our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery, Royal Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida, USA; Maintained by Find a Grave.