Ferguson, 68, dies of cancer

TORONTO — Former NHL player and general manager John Ferguson Sr., died Saturday after a lengthy fight with prostate cancer. He was 68.

Ferguson was one of the toughest players to lace up skates in the NHL and remained a big part of the sport as a GM, coach and scout at the highest level.

Ferguson, the father of current Toronto Maple Leafs GM John Ferguson Jr., went from being a tough guy on the ice to a powerful man in the executive chair. He played eight NHL seasons from 1963-71, all with the Montreal Canadiens, and was a Stanley Cup champion five times.

Ferguson was diagnosed with prostate cancer in September 2005, and thought he had beaten the disease, but a recurrence took his life.

"My father battled cancer with the same spirit in which he played the game of hockey," Ferguson Jr., said in a release. "He showed courage, strength, class and tremendous character. He had deep appreciation for the support he'd received from so many people beginning with his initial diagnosis.

"My father's spirit will continue to live on in all of us whose lives he touched."

Ferguson was GM and coach of the New York Rangers for two tumultuous years until 1978 and GM of the Winnipeg Jets, both in the WHA and NHL, from 1979-88 — briefly serving as coach. Ferguson was a senior scout for the San Jose Sharks from 1995 until his death.

"John Ferguson was one of the most beloved figures to ever represent the Sharks, as well as the entire National Hockey League," Sharks GM Doug Wilson said in a statement. "His sense of class, grace and love of the game of hockey is legendary among those who were fortunate enough to know and work with him."

And his determination was unmatched.

Ferguson, also a standout on the lacrosse field, would crash creases and drop the gloves when necessary. Along with his 145 goals — an average of 18 a season — and 158 assists, he amassed 1,214 penalty minutes in 500 regular-season games.

"There was no more passionate competitor, as a player, as a coach or as an executive, than John Ferguson," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. "He was tough, he wanted the best for his teams, his teammates and his players, and his country, and would stop at nothing to try to help them win.

"His fight against cancer was every bit as fierce as his competitive drive on and off the ice. The League has lost a great hockey man."