Edward John “EJ” McGuire, a member of The College at Brockport's Athletics Hall of Fame who was a head coach at Brockport as well as the junior and American Hockey League (AHL) levels, passed away Wednesday night in Toronto following a five-month battle with cancer.
Mr. McGuire, whose most recent post was as the vice president of the NHL's Central Scouting Bureau, was 58 years old. Mr. McGuire, a Buffalo, NY native, was diagnosed with a rare, incurable form of cancer, Leiomyosarcoma, in December 2010. He is survived by his wife, Terry, and daughters Jacqueline and Erin.
“The National Hockey League was privileged to benefit from E.J.'s expertise and enthusiasm, both of which were limitless,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman told NHL.com.
“EJ loved scouting games and loved the internal debates over the strengths and weaknesses of Entry Draft prospects. The way he ran Central Scouting made it vitally important to every one of our clubs. The NHL family has suffered a tremendous loss. As we celebrate EJ's contributions and mourn his passing, we send our condolences — and our gratitude — to EJ's family and friends.”
Mr. McGuire's nearly four decade-long career in hockey included playing for the Golden Eagles from 1972-1975, serving as captain during his senior season when he set a then-record for assists in a single game with five against St. John Fisher College on Feb. 9, 1975. That mark still stands as a Brockport record.
After graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Physical Education and Health Science, Mr. McGuire obtained his Master's degree in Physical Education in 1977. He later coached the Green and Gold to 44 wins over a five-year coaching stint that ended after the 1981-82 season, and also served as an Assistant Athletic Director for Brockport.
Following his time at Brockport, Mr. McGuire joined head coach Mike Keenan's staff with the AHL's Rochester Americans, where Mr. McGuire was a volunteer assistant coach on an Amerks team that captured the AHL's Calder Cup, the league championship, during the 1982-83 season.
Mr. McGuire's love and passion for hockey carried him into the NHL, where he was an assistant coach for nine years with the Philadelphia Flyers, Chicago Blackhawks and Ottawa Senators. During his time coaching in the NHL, Mr. McGuire was a part of two Stanley Cup teams. While serving as Keenan's assistant coach for seven years, McGuire's teams won five division titles and went a combined 307-199-54.
Mr. McGuire was inducted into Brockport's Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009 as the first member of the “Contributor” category, which recognizes individuals who have significantly impacted the College's athletics programs through on-going support; and/or have attained a high-ranking role within their professional field that is recognized on a national level; and/or made a substantial impact on the world of athletics and sports in general.
