Al Arbour 1932-2015

On Friday, former Islanders broadcasting lcon Jiggs McDonald posted on Facebook that legendary Islanders coach, Al Arbour had passed away at the age of 82 due to illness after a long battle with Dementia and Parkinson’s disease.  McDonald has been a longtime friend to Mr. Arbour and periodically gave updates of his condition to team fans on social media.

When I read the post, I was beside myself. I know firsthand how this disease devastates families and challenges the person affected to maintain their very self.  It is capable of stripping recognition of family and loved ones or even any and all situational awareness. My struggles with my own father and his battle against the disease made me sympathetic to the Arbour family.  I am all too familiar with the decay of a person that I had always revered as a symbol of strength and protection being stripped of various parts of themselves over time.  All you can do is be there for that person and ease the transition, while taking on all of their challenges upon yourself.  It is exhausting and immensely frustrating, but an important tribute to the loved one who has meant so much to you in your life.

Several colleagues and members of the professional media told of their relationships and experiences with AL Arbour as both a man and the storied coach of your New York Islanders.  The stats speak for themselves and the tales of NHL greats about how Mr. Arbour shaped their careers and spoke of his fatherly guidance as they grew to be men were the most impressive tributes to the legendary NHL coach.

Per Islanders.nhl.com, “Arbour was named head coach of the Islanders at the start of the 1973-74 season. He stood behind the Islanders bench for 19 seasons, putting together one of the most illustrious coaching careers in NHL history. Arbour led the Islanders to a total of 15 playoff appearances, won 119 career playoff games which is a NHL record for most with one club, currently sits second all-time in wins and games coached in the NHL (behind Scotty Bowman) and won four straight Stanley Cup Championships (1980-1983), which is a mark no team has met since. Throughout the Islanders domination in the early 1980’s the team put together 19 straight playoff series victories, which still stands as the longest such streak in all of pro sports.” 

Looking back, Bryan Trottier mentioned Al Arbour was suffering from Dementia in an August, 2014 interview on a Buffalo Radio Station.  Mike Bossy had mentioned at an Isles Booster Club meeting that Jiggs McDonald & Eddie Westfall had recently visited Al Arbour in Florida.  Mr. Arbour was progressing in the disease and was suffering more of the effects associated with it.

I will always cherish the memories that the man nicknamed as “Radar” has given me while growing up, watching my Islanders’ heroes create NHL history and define professional excellence.  The Islanders will turn a page in their team's storied history in 2015 by starting a new era at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.  They will due so without the greatest chapter in their history after the death of Al Arbour.  

Andy Graziano tweeted that there will be a funeral mass for Al Arbour: Monday 10:30am on Longboat Key - St Mary's of the Sea church.

Al Arbour is survived by his wife, and children Joann, Jay, Julie and Janice.

I will keep the Mr. Arbour and his family in my thoughts.

Isles Notes:


I will look for an important patch to be added on the jerseys of the New York Islanders that pays tribute to Al Arbour next season.



AHL Notes:

The released the 80th AHL anniversary season and 2015-16 schedule.  The BST open at home on 10/10 vs WBS.