The lasting memory of John Cunniff will be that of the man who adamantly remained at his post behind the Team USA bench at the Salt Lake Olympics rather than submit to the recurrence of cancer that would claim his life three months later.
Hockey lost one of its true gentlemen when the former Devil head coach died Thursday night in Albany at age 57.
Cunniff served as New Jersey’s head coach from Nov. 6, 1989 through March 4, 1991, going 59-56-18, and had been a member of the Devils’ organization since May 31, 1989. Cunniff succeeded Jim Schoenfeld as coach and was followed by Tom McVie. He previously served as head coach of the Hartford Whalers for 13 games in 1983-84, spending five years with the Whalers’ organization, and came to the Devils from the Bruins, where he was an assistant coach for three seasons.
A native of South Boston, Cunniff was a two-time All-America left wing at Boston College, and played in the WHA for the New England Whalers and Quebec Nordiques, retiring as a player after the 1979-80 season. He represented the United States on the 1967 national team and in the 1968 Olympics.
Cunniff coached the Albany River Rats, the Devils’ top farm, for five seasons, moving to the Devils’ scouting staff at the start of this past season. He rejoined the Devils as an assistant coach when Larry Robinson and his staff were fired in January.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss last night of a close friend, John Cunniff, who had a major impact on all of our lives both in and out of the hockey community,” Devils GM Lou Lamoriello said.