Emile Francis

Emile "The Cat" Francis (September 13, 1926 – February 19, 2022) was a Canadian ice hockey player, coach, and executive born in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. He played goaltender for the Chicago Black Hawks and New York Rangers from 1946 to 1952, continuing in minor league hockey until 1960. He joined the Rangers organization as assistant general manager in 1962 and went on to serve as general manager of the Rangers, St. Louis Blues, and Hartford Whalers from 1964 to 1989. As Rangers GM, he guided the club to nine consecutive playoff appearances between 1967 and 1975.