This Day in Hockey History – June 18, 1987 – Traveling Coach

What began as a bit of a joke, ended with the only time a coach has been traded in the same manner as a player. On June 18, 1987, the New York Rangers traded a first-round draft pick and $100,000 to the Quebec Nordiques in return for their coach, Michel Bergeron.

The New York Rangers had a terrible time with coaching during the 1986-87 season. After the first 19 games, they replaced Ted Sator with Tom Webster. Only 18 games later, Webster had to quit because his inner-ear infection kept him from traveling. Phil Esposito, the general manager, had to pull double duty for the majority of the season. Was it any wonder he grew desperate to find a solid coach for the Rangers?

At the 1987 NHL Entry Draft, held at Detroit on June 13, Esposito approached Quebec’s general manager, Maurice Filion. According to Esposito, “I happened to walk over to Quebec’s table to try to do some dealing. I said to Maurice Filion, ‘Why don’t you let me have Bergeron?’ I must have gone back and forth to his table 15 times. . . . It (the negotiation) was back and forth all night until finally, he said, ‘A first (first-round pick) or nothing.’ I said, ‘You got it.’”

Bergeron had a reputation as “fiery, flamboyant” with a temper that earned him the nickname “Le Petit Tigre.” After seven years coaching the Nordiques, rumors indicated tension between Bergeron and Filion. That may have been why Quebec was willing to trade him two years before his contract ended. Esposito wanted that passion to spark something in the Rangers. As soon as he received the rights, Esposito called Bergeron on Sunday and then flew him to New York to meet on Tuesday. Upon accepting the offer, Bergeron claimed, “I am confident. I am very confident.”

The New York Daily News listed three reasons Bergeron should be good for the Rangers. First, he knew enough “show business” to get by in New York. Second, his French Canadian background would help with the handful of players on the team with the same heritage. Third, his experience through coaching 622 games put him as the second-most experienced NHL coach. Pat Price, who had been traded to the Rangers after five years under Bergeron, commented, “I’m probably a lot happier having him back than he is having me back. He’s one of the most astute coaches I’ve had in my 13 years, and I’ll tell you one thing – if anybody can pull a team together and get it to play up to its potential, he can do it.” Madison Square Garden owner Richard Evans , “We believe we have the best coach in the NHL joining us today. We believe we have the best GM in hockey, and as of today I believe we have the best coach in hockey. We’ve concluded a search that will help the Rangers for a long, long time.”

That last statement turned out to be incorrect. Esposito fired Bergeron before he had even finished his second season with the Rangers. The team had failed to make playoffs the first season, and they had a record of 73-67-18 with Bergeron. Esposito had to coach the last two regular-season games and the only playoff round (in which the Rangers were swept) of the 1988-89 season. Roger Neilson became the new Rangers coach. Meanwhile, Bergeron actually returned to Quebec for a final season.

The Nordiques did not get much out of their first-round draft pick either. Using the Rangers’ fifth slot, they selected Daniel Dore. He only ended up playing 17 NHL games, scoring two goals and five assists. Otherwise, he spent most of the 1990-91 and 1991-92 seasons playing for the Halifax Citadels in the AHL. Dore signed with the Philadelphia Flyers in December 1992, but he only played for their AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears.

All-in-all, the coaching trade of 1987 was a bust and has yet to be repeated.

Additional Sources:

• Mike Commito, Hockey 365: Daily Stories from the Ice(Toronto: Dundurn, 2018), kindle edition.
• Frank Brown, “Espo Names Bergeron as Coach,” New York Daily News, 19 June 1987, pp. C29 and C36.