Gainey’s daughter is missing

The daughter of hockey Hall of Famer Bob Gainey was swept off a Nova Scotia ship during an Atlantic storm, and Canadian and U.S. rescuers were looking for her in an extensive ocean search.

Laura Gainey, a 25-year-old crew member whose father is the Montreal Canadiens’ general manager, was washed off the covered deck of a Caribbean-bound vessel by a large wave Friday night.

A U.S. Coast Guard vessel searched through the night, and aircraft resumed searching at first light Sunday, Coast Guard spokeswoman Faith Wisinski said. They are scouring an area about 475 miles southeast of Cape Cod, Mass.

Coast Guard spokesman Larry Chambers said crews using a plane and two vessels planned to search overnight Sunday for Gainey. Another plane would be on standby for possible use today.

Gainey did not have a lifejacket but was wearing warm, protective clothing. Wisinski said the water is warm, but life-threatening hypothermia ordinarily sets in after 36 hours.

Bob Gainey is awaiting news on the search with his three other children.

Gainey, who turns 53 on Wednesday, won five Stanley Cups with Montreal during a 16-year career from 1973-89. He also won a championship as general manager of the Dallas Stars in 1999. His wife, Cathy, died of brain cancer in 1995 at 39.