Phil Jackson’s hockey history...and Scotty Bowman’s rings

Former Lakers Coach Phil Jackson is renowned for his NBA success — but did you know that he’s a former hockey player and still a hockey fan?

Jeff Moeller of the Kings’ public relations staff did a nice piece on Jackson’s hockey passion, which began in Jackson’s childhood in Montana and North Dakota. It’s linked here.

Speaking of Jackson, he has 11 championship rings from his years with the Chicago Bulls and the Lakers. But Scotty Bowman has a pretty impressive jewelry collection himself, as shown in this photo tweeted by Stanley Cup keeper Phil Pritchard.

Bowman, now the senior advisor of hockey operations for the Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks, had his day with the Cup recently and arranged for a photo with all of his rings:

Bowman has won 13 Cup rings: five as coach of the Montreal Canadiens, one as coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins, three as coach of the Detroit Red Wings, and four as a front-office executive with the Penguins, Red Wings, and Blackhawks.

Quite a nice display. Amazing to think that both Jackson and Bowman have more championship rings than they have fingers to put those rings on.

ALSO:

Former NBA scoring champ Tracy McGrady announces retirement

U.S. Open: Venus Williams upsets Clijsters’ protege Kirsten Flipkens

Watch Rockies’ Rene Lachemann give life lessons to young Phillies fan