PITTSBURGH -- Bob Johnson, who coached the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Stanley Cup championship in his only season with the club, died Tuesday of brain tumors. He was 60.
Johnson died at his home in Colorado Springs, Colo.
He was diagnosed to have brain tumors Aug. 29 after suffering stroke- like symptoms -- slurred speech and weakness in his extremities. He underwent surgery in Pittsburgh to have one tumor removed, and he was transferred to Colorado Springs, where he underwent radiation treatment on at least one other tumor.
Johnson, whose favorite phrase was, 'It's a great day for hockey,' continued to communicate with the team by writing notes and faxing them to Pittsburgh as recently as last week.
'Bob Johnson's life revolved around coaching,' NHL President John Ziegler said in a statement. 'At all levels he taught young men how the game should be played.
'Within the NHL he was recognized amongst his peers as one of the premier coaches. The success he enjoyed with both the defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins and the Calgary Flames was testimony to the dedication and knowledge he brought to his profession.
'At the amateur level he was one of the first coaches to demonstrate to U.S. players that they were capable of not only competing but being successful at the world class level.'
Johnson was named the Penguins' coach in June 1990, and he led the team to its first Stanley Cup championship in the 24-year history of the franchise last season. He was serving as head coach for Team USA in the Canada Cup tournament when he became ill.
Before joining the Penguins, Johnson was executive director of Hockey USA, the governing body of amateur hockey in the United States.
He also coached the Calgary Flames for five seasons and the University of Wisconsin for 15 years. He led the Badgers to NCAA championships in 1973, 1977 and 1981, acquiring the nickname 'Badger Bob.'
Johnson coached the U.S. Olympic team in 1976. He was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in Eveleth, Minn., Oct. 12.
Memorial services are scheduled for Dec. 2 at First Presbyterian Church in Colorado Springs, Bethel Lutheran Church in Madison, Wis., First Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh and the Park Center Apartments in Johnson's native Minneapolis.
