John Cunniff, 57; NHL, Olympic Coach

John Cunniff, who had a distinguished career as a coach both in the National Hockey League and in Olympic competition, has died. He was 57.

Cunniff died Thursday night of throat cancer at Memorial Hospital near his home in Albany, N.Y., USA Hockey officials said Friday.

A former head coach of the NHL’s New Jersey Devils, Cunniff was an assistant coach to Kevin Constantine with the team when he left in February to battle the cancer.

A native of Boston, Cunniff helped guide Team USA to a silver medal in this year’s Winter Olympics as an assistant coach under Herb Brooks.

It was the third straight time Cunniff had served in that capacity at the Winter Games.

He had worked for the Devils for the last 13 years, including a two-season stint as head coach (1989-91).

Cunniff guided the team to a 59-56-18 record and a berth in the 1990 Stanley Cup playoffs.

He was also an assistant for the U.S. team that captured the championship in the 1996 World Cup of Hockey.

In addition, he coached on four U.S. national teams (1982, 1991, 1992 and 1993) at the International Ice Hockey Federation Men’s World Championship.

Cunniff also was on the staff of two U.S. national junior teams (1992 and 1993).

As a player in international competition, he was a member of the 1967 U.S. Men’s National Team and the 1968 U.S. Olympic team at Grenoble, France.

When he was a forward at Boston College in the mid-1960s, he twice earned first team All-America honors.

He also played 12 years in the minor leagues, retiring in 1980.

Cunniff was set to receive the 2002 USA Hockey Distinguished Achievement Award at the organization’s annual President’s Awards Banquet next month in Colorado Springs.

The honor will be given to him posthumously.

He is survived by four children and seven grandchildren. A funeral will be held Tuesday in Boston.