Al Arbour Bio: Net Worth, Team, Age, Wife, Parents, Height, Stats, Contract, Death

Alger Joseph “Al” Arbour was a Canadian ice hockey player, coach, and executive. He ranks third in NHL history for games coached and fifth in wins, behind legends like Scotty Bowman and Joel Quenneville.

Arbour began his professional playing career with the Detroit Red Wings in 1953, later joining the Chicago Blackhawks, where he won the Stanley Cup in 1961.

He also claimed Stanley Cups with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Red Wings. As a coach, Arbour led teams to 740 victories and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1996.

Profile

• Full Name: Alger Joseph Arbour
• Stage Name: Al Arbour
• Born: November 1, 1932
• Death date: August 28, 2015
• Age: 82 years old
• Birthplace: Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
• Nationality: Canadian
• Occupation: Canadian ice hockey player, coach, and executive
• Height: Unknown
• Parents: Norman Arbour ,Melvina Arbour
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Claire Arbour (m. ?–2015)
• Children: Julie Arbour, Joann Arbour, Janice Arbour ,Jay Arbour
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $1 million

Early Life And Education

Alger Joseph Arbour was born to Norman and Melvina Arbour on November 1, 1932, in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.

While it is unclear if he had siblings, Arbour grew up in a modest household. He attended Catholic school but could not pursue higher education due to financial limitations within his family.

Arbour was of French Canadian descent, though details about his religious beliefs remain unknown.

Career

Al Arbour began his playing career in 1954 with the Detroit Red Wings and later joined the Chicago Blackhawks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and St. Louis Blues.

He won three Stanley Cups as a player: with the Blackhawks in 1961 and the Maple Leafs in 1962 and 1964. Arbour and teammate Ed Litzenberger are among 11 players to win consecutive Stanley Cups with two different teams.

He also captained the St. Louis Blues and played with them in three consecutive Stanley Cup Finals. Known for wearing eyeglasses on the ice, Arbour was the last NHL player to do so.

After playing for them for four seasons, Arbour transitioned to coaching in 1970 with the Blues. In 1973, he was hired to coach the struggling New York Islanders, who had won only 12 games in their inaugural season.

Despite finishing last in his first season, Arbour improved the team significantly, reducing goals allowed and instilling discipline.

His efforts paid off as the Islanders became a formidable force, winning their first Stanley Cup in 1980 after a 12-game unbeaten streak.

Under Arbour’s leadership, the Islanders achieved one of the greatest dynasties in NHL history, winning four consecutive Stanley Cups from 1980 to 1983.

During this run, Arbour led the team to 19 straight playoff series wins, a record in North American sports.

He stepped down as coach in 1986 but returned in 1988 to guide a rebuilding team. In the 1992–93 season, he led the Islanders to an upset victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins, the defending champions.

Arbour retired from coaching after the 1993–94 season with 739 wins as the Islanders’ coach. In recognition, a banner with that number was raised at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in 1997.

He briefly returned in 2007 to coach his 1,500th game with the Islanders, earning his 740th win. He remains the only coach in NHL history to coach 1,500 games for the same team.

Arbour’s coaching legacy includes 782 NHL victories, ranking him fifth all-time. He received numerous accolades, including the Jack Adams Award in 1979 and the Lester Patrick Trophy for contributions to hockey.

Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1996, Arbour is celebrated as one of the greatest coaches in NHL history, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.

Social Media

Al Arbour does not have any active social media accounts.

Personal Life

Al Arbour was married to Claire Arbour, who was a steadfast support throughout his life and career. The couple had four children: Joann, Jay, Julie, and Janice.

In his later years, Arbour battled Parkinson’s disease and dementia, receiving treatment in Sarasota, Florida, before entering hospice care.

He passed away on August 28, 2015, at the age of 82. Claire Arbour passed away years later on February 23, 2024, in Florida.

Net Worth

Al Arbour’s net worth was estimated to be around $1 million at the time of his passing in 2015.

This figure was primarily a result of his earnings throughout his NHL career as a player and a coach, along with various endorsements.

During his playing career, he earned approximately $376,500 in salary. Arbour’s financial success was also bolstered by his long tenure with the New York Islanders, both on and off the ice.