| Born: | Aug 16, 1935 | National Team: | Canada |
| Hometown: | Montreal, Quebec | Current Status: | Senior Advisor (Toronto Maple Leafs) |
| Known For: | Stanley Cup (1989) |
Cliff Fletcher (born August 16, 1935) is a senior advisor to the Toronto Maple Leafs and an NHL executive with multiple NHL clubs from 1956 to current day. Fletcher started his NHL career as a scout for the Montreal Canadiens in 1956, a position he held for ten years. In 1966, he joined the St. Louis Blues organization to scout Eastern Canada and, in the same year, he became an assistant to the general manager. During his tenure with the Blues, the team made the Stanley Cup Final in the first three years of their entrance into the league.
In 1972, Fletcher accepted the role as general manager of the Atlanta Flames as his first shot at the position. He remained on board when the team re-located to Calgary, and in the next ten years Fletcher guided the team to two Smythe division titles, two Campbell Conference Championships, two Presidents’ Trophies, and the 1989 Stanley Cup. In full circle, the flames took down the Canadiens to win its first and only championship. He would remain on board for two more seasons before departing to Toronto.
Fletcher served as both general manager and president to the Maple Leafs for six seasons and was responsible for the orchestration of acquiring Doug Gilmour in a massive ten-player deal. While the hiring of Pat Burns as head coach was a phenomenal step forward, the team failed to reach the Stanley Cup Final in each year Fletcher was around. After serving two years as a senior advisor to the Tampa Bay Lightning, and seven seasons as vice president of hockey operations for the Arizona Coyotes, Fletcher returned to Toronto on an interim general manager basis for two seasons before transitioning to an advisory role, which he’s maintained for the last 13 years.
Deeper Dive
Staff History
- Montréal Canadiens (Scout) 1956-1966
- St. Louis Blues (Scout) 1966-1967
- St. Louis Blues (Assistant General Manager) 1966-1972
- Atlanta/Calgary Flames (General Manager) 1972-1991
- Toronto Maple Leafs (President) 1991-1997
- Toronto Maple Leafs (General Manager) 1991-1997
- Tampa Bay Lightning (Senior Advisor) 1998-2000
- Canada, World Cup (General Manager) 2000
- Phoenix Coyotes (Ex. VP of Hockey Operations) 2000-2001
- Phoenix Coyotes (General Manager) 2000-2001
- Phoenix Coyotes, (Sr. VP of Hockey Operations) 2001-2007
- Toronto Maple Leafs (General Manager) 2007-2009
- Toronto Maple Leafs (Senior Advisor) 2009-current
Achievements
- Canada Cup Runner-Up (1982)
- NHL Stanley Cup Champion (1989)
- Hockey Hall of Fame | Builder (2005)