Canadian sports executive (1925–2007)
Sam Pollock
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| Born | Samuel Patterson Smyth Pollock
(1925-12-15)December 15, 1925
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| Died | August 15, 2007(2007-08-15) (aged 81)
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| Occupation | former NHL general manager |
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| Awards | Hockey Hall of Fame (1978), Canadian Sports Hall of Fame (1982) |
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Samuel Patterson Smyth Pollock, OC, CQ (December 15, 1925 – August 15, 2007) was a Canadian sports executive who was general manager of the National Hockey League's Montreal Canadiens for 14 years during which they won 9 Stanley Cups.[1] Pollock also served as chairman and CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays baseball club.
Life
Born in Montreal, Quebec, Sam was a keen evaluator of talent. In 1950, with the Montreal Junior Canadiens and in 1958, with the Ottawa-Hull Junior Canadiens, he won the Memorial Cup. The Montreal Canadiens saw potential in Pollock and quickly hired him to be the successor to Frank J. Selke, serving as Personnel Director from 1959 to 1964. In 1964, Selke retired and Sam took over his job as general manager of the Habs.
He spent 14 years with the club as general manager before giving up the job in summer of 1978.[2] He spent one last season with Montreal on their board of directors, before retiring in summer of 1979. Pollock's name was included on the Stanley Cup 12 times, including an NHL record nine as a general manager. Pollock and head coach Scotty Bowman together not only presided over a Canadiens dynasty, but also many of their players went on to have successful coaching and managing roles with their own teams.[3]
Pollock died on August 15, 2007, at the age of 81 in Toronto, Ontario.[4][5][6][7][8] Pollock is survived by his wife Mimi, son Sam Jr., and daughters Rachel and Mary. Pollock was buried at Ste Elisabeth Roman Catholic Cemetery in North Hatley, Quebec.[9][10]
Key trades
Pollock believed drafting good young prospects was the key to long-term success in the NHL. To this end he was always planning, sometimes years in advance, in order to be in position to pick up the "cream of the crop" in any annual entry level draft.[2]
Among his shrewdest moves was a series of trades in which the Canadiens obtained the first overall pick in the 1971 NHL Entry Draft, the year in which Guy Lafleur would be eligible. It appeared as if the first overall selection would be held by the California Golden Seals so he persuaded Seals owner Charlie Finley to trade the Seals' pick and François Lacombe in return for Montreal's first round pick and a 23-year-old rookie,[11] Ernie Hicke. Pollock hesitated between Guy Lafleur and Marcel Dionne, but he chose Lafleur with his overall no.1 pick.[12]
On another occasion he traded two college prospects to Boston for a young goalie named Ken Dryden. He was also instrumental in acquiring Larry Robinson, Serge Savard, Guy Lapointe, and Yvan Cournoyer, all of whom would become superstars for the Canadiens.
In another deal, one which was never consummated, New York Islanders GM Bill Torrey drafted defenceman Denis Potvin first overall in the 1973 entry draft; Pollock approached Torrey, hoping to trade for Potvin. Pollock's strategy was to offer a "quick-fix" package of mature players in exchange for the top draft pick. Although it was tempting, as the Islanders would immediately benefit from the trade, Torrey ultimately turned down the offer. Potvin went on to be a long-term asset to the Islanders, leading them to 4 consecutive Stanley Cups and anchoring their blueline for 15 years.[13]
Baseball
Pollock served as CEO and chair of the Toronto Blue Jays from 1995 to 2000.[14]
