By HOWARD BERGER
CALGARY (Aug. 27) — True to his word from last November, Maple Leafs’ general manager Brian Burke is retaining long-time hockey executive Cliff Fletcher as the club’s senior advisor. Burke, in his introductory news conference at the Air Canada Centre, suggested Fletcher – the out-going GM – had a job “for life” with the organization, and the Silver Fox is happy to be staying on at a time when the Leafs are aggressively re-tooling.
“This is exactly what I wanted and I’m thrilled to be continuing with the Leafs,” Cliff said today. “I’m here to assist Brian in whatever area I can be of help, and to be a sounding board on issues involving the club. It’s obviously a lesser role than I had when I was GM, but that’s all I want at this stage of my life. I’ll split my time during the winter between Toronto, and my home in [Scottsdale] Arizona. I’m looking forward to the start of training camp.”
The Leafs brought Fletcher, now 74, out of involuntary retirement on Jan. 22, 2008. The club fired John Ferguson that day after nearly 4 ½ years as GM, and gave Fletcher a 19-month contract to help arrest a free-fall through the standings. That deal expired four weeks ago – on July 31 – and Fletcher is working on the parameters of a new agreement with the hockey club.
A robust, wealthy man who enjoys the tidings of life, Fletcher could easily wade into the sunset and divorce himself from work. But, he’s not ready for that just yet. “Naw, I’d get too bored,” Cliff chuckled. “Retirement is something that a lot of people crave, but not me. My life has been centered around hockey for more than a half-century now, and I want to stay involved in the game.
“This job gives me the best of both worlds. I’m not called upon to make final decisions and I can enjoy my time away from the rink. After all my years of direct involvement, it’s important that I understand how this role works, and to not over-extend myself with Brian. But, he’s been extremely fair with me since he came aboard and I’m looking forward to working with him again this season.”
Fletcher has been a part of the National Hockey League since 1956, when he began as a scout with the Montreal Canadiens. In 1967, he joined the expansion St. Louis Blues and worked his way up to the role of assistant GM. The Blues, coached by Scotty Bowman, advanced to the Stanley Cup final in each of their first three seasons, losing twice to Montreal [1968 and 1969] and once to Boston [1970].
When the Atlanta Flames were admitted as an expansion team for the 1972-73 season [along with the New York Islanders], Fletcher was hired as GM. He continued in that role through the Flames re-location to Calgary in 1980 and reached the pinnacle of his career by winning the 1989 Stanley Cup over Montreal.
Cliff joined the Leafs for the first time in June, 1991, as president and GM. Seven months later, he pulled off one of the best trades in franchise history by acquiring Doug Gilmour from the Flames in a league-record 10-player swap. Gilmour played the best hockey of his career for the Leafs, leading the club to consecutive berths in the Stanley Cup semifinals [1993 and ‘94].
Fletcher later worked for two seasons in Tampa Bay, and had a seven-year run as executive vice-president of the Phoenix Coyotes. In 2004, he was inducted into the Builders’ category of the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Chuck Fletcher, Cliff’s son, is entering his first season as GM of the Minnesota Wild.
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Howard, Nice article on a gentleman Cliff Fletcher .
Many of the NHL hockey men, GMs , coaches and players are classy gentlemen and role models.
They are in such sharp contrast to some of the
thuggish, arrogant, greedy owners and their mouthpiece, Mr. Bettman
Sincerely, Chas,In line outside Copps Coliseum
- ChasYour August 25 blog entry mentions that Terry Gregson is turning 56 in November. I would have thought he was older. I may be wrong, but I thought it was Gregson that waived off a Bobby Hull goal (time expired) in the ‘74 Canada - USSR series (WHA). If I’ve had him mixed up with somebody else for all these years, I feel guilty for despising hime.
- Marty StreeterI’m glad Cliff is still with the club. I am still waiting for a goal scorer though.
- CBHNot sure where to comment on Mike Allison so here it is….He is still nowhere near over-the-hill. Leafs don’t have enough fowards even if they use all their young guys including those who should be Marlies another year. Allison is a great stopgap providing help on to horrible powerplay but IF his hands are as magical as they say, perhas his real value is as a shootout specialist. Leafs lost a lot of points last year becuse no one could score. All I’m suggesting is that using him as a specialist he has value on the powerplay and in the shootout. He won’t take up a valuable roster spot because there is such a thing as too many young kids and Lefs are at that point. Just fer cryin’ out loud don’t use him at even strength!
- Dave MillerCliff is a class act and a true gentleman. He is some of whats right on Toronto.
- BKH