O'Neill dies at 94, was former NHL Executive Vice President

Brian O'Neill, a cornerstone of the National Hockey League since joining its executive offices in 1966, died Friday morning at his retirement/care home in Montreal.

He was 94.

"On behalf of the NHL family, I extend our deepest sympathies to his wife, Jean, his children Sean, Darcy, Nancy, Patrick and Sandy and their spouses and his 11 grandchildren," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. "The NHL mourns the loss of a man who served our game with distinction."

A memorial service is being planned for St. Patrick's Basilica in Montreal on Sept. 2.

"An elegant and erudite man, Brian served the League in myriad ways for more than 50 years, ultimately as Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations," Commissioner Bettman said. "He performed each and every role with modest grace, uncommon dignity and a meticulous attention to detail that commanded universal respect and admiration -- from fans, players, owners and club executives and the media.

"On a personal level, for a good part of my 30 years as NHL Commissioner, Brian was a trusted advisor, providing counsel and guidance that has contributed to the continued growth of our game.

O'Neill took his retirement from the NHL a few years ago. Until that time, he was still reporting to his desk at the Montreal office of the NHL, helping with the operation of the League's Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

The Montreal native, inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a Builder in 1994, played a huge role in many levels of League matters, arriving as the NHL Director of Administration on April 1, 1966, under then-President Clarence Campbell.

In 1962, O'Neill joined the Financial Times of Canada, four years later applying for a job as an administrative director for a "sports organization," as the advertisement cryptically referred to the position. Only after getting the job did he learn it was the NHL.

In 2016, O'Neill's work was celebrated in Montreal with a luncheon attended by Commissioner Bettman and many League executives.

O'Neill was an early hit with influential Montreal Star columnist Baz O'Meara, who on May 2, 1966, discussed a meeting with the NHL's new administrative assistant during the Stanley Cup Final in Detroit.

Brian O'Neill (left) with NHL President Clarence Campbell (center) and NHL publicity chief/statistician Ron Andrews in the late 1960s, and at O'Neill's 2004 Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony with Boston Bruins legend Harry Sinden. Brian O'Neill collection; Bruce Bennett, Getty Images

"Brian mingled with the boys in the press rooms and he proved an affable listener. He was under the wing of Ronny Andrews, the affable publicity man of the League," O'Meara wrote.

"O'Neill is this side of 40. He is a careful dresser garbed in the latest mode. He is a handsome man and while you wouldn't say he exudes personality, he is polite and pleasant.

"He was talking about his young hockey days. That was when he played with the (Loyola College) Winged Wheelers coached by Mickey Hennessey, for whom he had a fond regard.

"Brian used to get out of bed at five o'clock in the morning to practice at the (Montreal) Forum, which was the only available hour. … He played well enough when he went on to play with McGill but went into business administration when he was through college.

"'We liked playing as kids and would go to any lengths to practice or play,' Brian said. 'They say the kids today don't do that. Some of them do. It didn't do us any harm and we enjoyed it.'"

What follows is O'Neill's biography, prepared for the Hockey Hall of Fame upon his 1994 induction.

Brian O'Neill in the NHL's Montreal office in March 2016 and with St. Louis Blues goalies Glenn Hall (left) and Jacques Plante at the Montreal Forum upon presentation of the 1969 Vezina Trophy. Dave Stubbs; Brian O'Neill collection

Brian O'Neill devoted much of his life to improving the standard of play in the National Hockey League. While working on a number of committees and organized events, he always exhibited professionalism and class. O'Neill was respected for his ability to attain results for the league without alienating people.

Born in Montreal, O'Neill played minor hockey up to the junior B level in his hometown. He graduated with a B.A. from Loyola College before earning a Bachelor of Commerce in Economics from McGill University. He was a solid right-winger on the varsity teams at both institutions.

After graduation, O'Neill spent nine years with the Wallace Publishing Company of Montreal. He was responsible for the complete operation and publication of eight business periodicals.

(He then joined the Financial Times of Canada, in 1962, as business manager.)

On April 1, 1966, O'Neill was hired as the NHL's Director of Administration under President Clarence Campbell. He helped oversee the 1967 expansion draft and prepare the enlarged regular season schedule. In 1971 he was appointed an executive director of the League and began to look after the NHL Amateur/Entry Draft.

After Clarence Campbell retired in 1977, O'Neill was named the NHL's Executive Vice-President and took over all player disciplinary cases. He administered the NHL Montreal office and supervised League security.

On the international front, he represented the NHL in any dealings with European countries. This became an exceedingly more complex task with the influx of players to the NHL from Europe.

Brian O'Neill in his NHL Montreal office in March 2017 with a Canadian quarter-dollar celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Stanley Cup, and in a late 1960s NHL portrait. Dave Stubbs; Hockey Hall of Fame

O'Neill also presided over the league's Supplementary, Waiver and Expansion Drafts and was a member of several NHL Committees including the General Managers, Rules, Professional and Officiating. He recorded the minutes at the NHL Board of Governors meetings, was the league supervisor of the Stanley Cup playoffs and sat on the Hockey Hall of Fame Board of Governors.

On Sept. 30, 1992, O'Neill stepped down as NHL Executive Vice-President to serve as a consultant. His new role included administering the NHL Emergency Assistance Fund and working towards the standardization of equipment for the League. O'Neill continued to be a Trustee of the Stanley Cup, an honor given to him in 1988.

Top photo: Brian O'Neill at the door of the NHL's Montreal offices, February 2016. Dave Stubbs