Rangers coach Emile Francis lets out a shout after the Rangers scored in the second period of an NHL playoff game against the Flyers in Philadelphia, Apr. 24, 1974. Credit: AP/Brian Horton
Hockey Hall of Famer Emile "The Cat’’ Francis, former coach and general manager of the Rangers, died Saturday. He was 95.
Francis served as the Rangers’ general manager from Oct. 30, 1964, to Jan. 6, 1976, overseeing one of the most successful periods in franchise history. During Francis’ tenure, the Blueshirts made the Stanley Cup playoffs in nine consecutive seasons from 1966-67 to 1974-75 and advanced to at least the Stanley Cup semifinals in four consecutive seasons from 1970-71 to 1973-74, including a trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 1971-72.