Tom Johnson, 79; won hockey’s Stanley Cup 7 times as player, coach

Tom Johnson, 79, the Hockey Hall of Fame defenseman who coached the Boston Bruins to their last Stanley Cup title in 1972, died Wednesday at his home in Falmouth, Mass., the team announced. The cause of death was not reported.

The former Montreal and Boston defenseman was a player, coach and executive with the Bruins for more than three decades until he retired in 1998.

Johnson, a native of Baldur, Canada, played 15 years for Montreal, helping the Canadiens win six Stanley Cups -- including five consecutively from 1956 through 1960. He also won the 1958-59 Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman.

“Tom Johnson did it all,” former Bruins coach Don Cherry said. “He played and won six Stanley Cups; he coached Stanley Cups; he won a Norris Trophy; he’s in the Hall of Fame -- what else can you do in hockey?”

The Bruins claimed Johnson from Montreal in the 1963 waiver draft, and he played two seasons in Boston until a leg injury ended his playing career in 1965.

Johnson moved into the Bruins’ front office as an assistant to general manager Milt Schmidt. He succeeded Harry Sinden as head coach after Boston won the 1970 title and led the team to consecutive 50-plus win seasons, culminating with the 1972 Stanley Cup. His .738 winning percentage is the best in team history.

He returned to the front office in 1973 as assistant general manager, then in 1979 became vice president. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1970.