Jul 15, 2007, 3:15 GMT
San Jose, CA - San Jose Sharks special assistant to the general manager John Ferguson passed away Saturday at age 68 after a long battle with cancer.
'We have lost a very beloved member of the San Jose family today,' said team executive vice president and general manager Doug Wilson. 'John Ferguson was one of the most beloved figures to ever represent the Sharks, as well as the entire National Hockey League. We will always carry his spirit with us and never forget this impact he has had in the success of this franchise.'
Ferguson spent the last 11 seasons with San Jose, joining the team in 1996 as a scout, working his way up to senior professional scout then special assistant to the general manager in 2001.
Prior to his Sharks tenure, Ferguson was player personnel director for the Ottawa Senators from their 1992 inception to 1995. He also served as general manager of the Winnipeg Jets from 1978 when the club played in the World Hockey Association through the 1988-89 season, and was responsible for drafting future Hall-of-Famer and legendary Jet Dale Hawerchuk in 1981.
The Vancouver, British Columbia native played in exactly 500 games, all with the Montreal Canadiens, in an eight-year NHL career (1963-71). The feisty winger was a feared enforcer during his tenure with the Habs, amassing 1,214 penalty minutes, but also added 145 goals and 303 points while winning five Stanley Cups.
One year after his retirement as a player, Ferguson led Team Canada to a come- from-behind victory over the Soviet Union in the 1972 Summit Series. He would leave the game for three years before returning as GM and head coach of the New York Rangers from 1975-77.
His son, John Ferguson, Jr. is currently the general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
© 2007 The Sports Network
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