Bob Gainey

Robert Michael Gainey, born December 13, 1953, is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who spent his entire National Hockey League playing career with the Montreal Canadiens from 1973 until 1989. He began playing in 1972 with his hometown Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League, where his limited scoring was offset by an ability to shut down opposing players. That defensive skill drew the attention of NHL scouts, and in 1973 the Montreal Canadiens selected him eighth overall. He was also drafted seventh overall by the Minnesota Fighting Saints of the World Hockey Association, but never joined the WHA. As a rookie, Gainey was committed to a defensive style of play.

After retiring as a player, Gainey turned to coaching and later became an executive with the Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars organization. He returned to Montreal to serve as general manager from 2003 to 2010. He subsequently served as a team consultant for the St. Louis Blues and as a volunteer senior advisor for the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League.

Gainey was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1992. In 2017 he was named one of the "100 Greatest NHL Players" in history.