MacNeil never won the Stanley Cup as a player, but his name was tapped into the trophy four times, 1971 with the Canadiens; in 1978 and 1979 with Montreal as director of player personnel; and finally with the Calgary Flames as assistant general manager in 1989.

Al MacNeil, a former NHL player who won the Stanley Cup as coach of the Montreal Canadiens, has died. He was 89.

Hockey players everywhere dream of one day getting to hoist the Stanley Cup. And while many great players have had the pleasure over the years, some NHL stars never got to taste Cup glory.

The Flames said in a news release Monday that Al MacNeil died Sunday in Calgary. No cause of death was provided.

Al MacNeil, a former NHL D-man who died, was part of the Flames for over two decades, won three Stanley Cups and captured three Calder Cups with the Canadiens' AHL affiliate.

Al MacNeil, who played for the New York Rangers late in his career before going to great success as a coach and NHL executive, died Sunday in Calgary. He was 89. MacNeil played 11 seasons in the NHL as a low-scoring defensive defenseman.