Tragedy strikes the Montreal Canadiens before the new season

The Montreal Canadiens are grieving the loss of a figure who played a significant role in shaping the franchise during a transformative stretch of its storied history.

George Gillett Jr., the businessman who owned the Canadiens from 2001 to 2009, passed away on September 22 at the age of 87. The team confirmed the news in an official statement released by the organization.

Geoff Molson, the current owner, president and CEO of the Canadiens, offered heartfelt words on behalf of the entire franchise.

"On behalf of the entire Canadiens organization, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to George's family," Molson said. "George immersed himself in the Montreal community and was appreciated by everyone in the organization. We sincerely appreciate his contributions to the Montreal Canadiens during his time as owner."

Gillett Jr. was born on October 22, 1938, in Racine, Wisconsin. He took ownership of the Canadiens and what was then known as the Molson Centre on January 31, 2001. Beyond hockey, he founded Brook Creek Management Corp., a portfolio management firm.

His tenure at the helm of the franchise coincided with several defining chapters in the team's modern history. Among the most memorable was Saku Koivu's emotional return to the ice on April 9, 2002, after the beloved captain defeated cancer. Gillett Jr. was also the owner when the team's home arena was rebranded as the Bell Centre on September 1, 2002.

In the latter years of his ownership, the groundwork was laid for the Canadiens' centennial season celebration in 2009-10, a landmark occasion for one of professional sports' most iconic franchises.

His time with the Canadiens came to a close on June 20, 2009, when he sold the team, the Bell Centre, and Groupe Spectacles Gillett to the Molson family, returning the franchise to one of its most historically connected ownership groups.

The Canadiens organization mourns a man who left a lasting imprint on the club during a period filled with both emotional highs and important institutional changes. His contributions to the franchise and the broader Montreal community will not be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Gillett family during this difficult time.