Topic: Bob Gainey

Robert Michael "Bob" Gainey (born December 13, 1953, in Peterborough, Ontario) is the current executive vice president and general manager of the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). He is also a former professional ice hockey player who played for the Canadiens from 1973 until 1989. After retiring from active play, he became a hockey coach and later an executive with the NHL Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars organization before returning to Montreal in 2003 as general manager.

From 1970 to 1973, Gainey had his junior start with the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League.

A defensive specialist, Gainey played with the Montreal Canadiens from 1973–74 to 1988–89, winning four consecutive Frank J. Selke Trophies, awarded to the league's best defensive forward and five Stanley Cups (1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1986). In 1973, Gainey was drafted into both the WHA and the NHL. The Montreal Canadiens had selected him in the first round, 8th overall in the 1973 NHL Amateur Draft and the Minnesota Fighting Saints had also drafted him in the first round, 7th overall in the 1973 WHA Amateur Draft. Gainey never played in the WHA as he spent his entire career playing for the Canadiens in the NHL. He was team captain of the Canadiens from 1981 until his retirement in 1989.