John Cunniff was a professional ice hockey player and coach who had a successful career in the sport. He began his career as a player in the minor leagues, playing for teams such as the Greensboro Generals and the Syracuse Blazers. He eventually made it to the NHL, playing for the Minnesota North Stars, the Atlanta Flames, and the New York Rangers.
After retiring as a player, Cunniff became a coach. He started out as an assistant coach for the New York Rangers, and then moved on to become the head coach of the Binghamton Whalers in the AHL. He then became the head coach of the New Haven Nighthawks, also in the AHL.
Cunniff's biggest coaching success came when he became the head coach of the New Jersey Devils in 1987. He led the team to the playoffs in his first season as coach, and then took them to the conference finals the following year. He was known for his tough, no-nonsense coaching style, and was respected by his players for his honesty and integrity.
After leaving the Devils, Cunniff went on to coach the San Diego Gulls in the IHL, and then the Worcester IceCats in the AHL. He also served as an assistant coach for the Boston Bruins and the Ottawa Senators.
Throughout his career, Cunniff was known for his dedication to the sport of hockey and his commitment to his players. He was a tough but fair coach who demanded the best from his players, and he was respected by everyone who knew him. He passed away in 2002, but his legacy in the sport of hockey lives on.
🏒