Fletcher began his career in the NHL in 1973 when he was hired as the general manager of the Atlanta Flames. He quickly made a name for himself as a shrewd negotiator and a master of the trade market. He was able to acquire key players such as Lanny McDonald and Kent Nilsson, who helped the Flames reach the playoffs in their first season.
Fletcher was then hired by the Calgary Flames in 1985 and he quickly turned the team into a Stanley Cup contender. He made a series of trades and signings that brought in players such as Al MacInnis, Joe Nieuwendyk, and Doug Gilmour. These players, along with goaltender Mike Vernon, helped the Flames win the Stanley Cup in 1989.
Fletcher then moved on to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1991 and he was able to turn the team into a playoff contender. He made a series of trades and signings that brought in players such as Doug Gilmour, Wendel Clark, and Felix Potvin. These players, along with goaltender Curtis Joseph, helped the Maple Leafs reach the Conference Finals in 1993.
Fletcher then moved on to the Phoenix Coyotes in 2001 and he was able to turn the team into a playoff contender. He made a series of trades and signings that brought in players such as Shane Doan, Ladislav Nagy, and Mike Ricci. These players, along with goaltender Sean Burke, helped the Coyotes reach the Conference Finals in 2012.
Fletcher retired from the NHL in 2008 after a long and successful career. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004 and he is widely regarded as one of the greatest general managers in NHL history.
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