Scotty Bowman

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Bowman coached the Montreal Canadiens from 1971 to 1979. His team lost in the first round of the playoffs in 1972 but won the Stanley Cup in 1973. From 1976 to 1979, Bowman won four consecutive Stanley Cups with a talented Canadiens squad. He stepped down after the 1978–79 season due to a falling-out with ownership after being passed over for the general manager position.

In Their Own Story

In December 1970, Al MacNeil led the Canadiens to a Stanley Cup but alienated fans by benching Henri Richard during the finals. A few weeks after that victory, MacNeil resigned to manage the Nova Scotia Voyageurs, and Bowman was hired immediately on June 10, 1971. The transition began with a first-round playoff loss in 1972, but the team rebounded to win the Cup in 1973. The following two seasons saw Montreal lose in the first round as the Philadelphia Flyers won the title both years. However, from 1976 onward, the Canadiens became unstoppable, winning four straight championships. The dynasty ended abruptly after the 1978–79 season when ownership hired Irving Grundman as general manager instead of Bowman. This decision caused a falling-out that led to Bowman's departure, effectively ending the team's golden era.

Reader's Guide

Bowman's Canadiens won the Stanley Cup in 1973 and then four consecutive Cups from 1976 to 1979. They made the playoffs each season but lost in the first round in 1972, 1974, and 1975. Bowman remains second all-time in Canadiens history in both wins and winning percentage, behind Toe Blake.

Did You Know?

• Bowman won the Jack Adams Award in 1977 and 1996.
• In the 1976–77 season, Bowman's Canadiens won a record 60 games, breaking his own record of 58 wins the year before.
• Bowman's eight losses in 1976–77 are a modern record for the fewest defeats incurred.