Sonmor's legacy includes a Stanley Cup Finals appearance in 1981 with the North Stars.
MINNEAPOLIS - If Minnesota is the State of Hockey, then Glen Sonmor was our Governor.
The legend passed away Sunday night in Ontario after battling Alzheimer's disease. He was 86.
Sonmor made an impact on so many levels within the sport. His career started in the 1950's as a player. Sonmor was rough and tumble and known for his fighting. He played professionally for several years, and then found his calling in coaching.
Sonmor led the Gopher Men's Hockey program from 1966 to 1971. He then went on to coach the Minnesota Fighting Saints of the WHA. After that, he transitioned to the NHL where he was the North Stars head coach for three stints between 1978 and 1987. He took the North Stars to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1981, where they would lose to the New York Islanders. His overall coaching record with the North Stars was 174-161-82.
Ex-North Stars general manager Lou Nanne says Sonmor was "very charismatic, very energetic" and "loved the sport of hockey as much as anybody."
After he left the bench, he headed to the booth. Sonmor was a big part of the Golden Gopher Radio Network for 15 years, until his retirement in 2011.
His storied run on the Minnesota hockey scene was documented in a biography entitled Old Time Hockey. The book was co-penned by Sonmor and Ross Bernstein. Perk caught up with Bernstein to discuss the life and legacy of this hockey legend.
He may have been born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and lived recently in Ontario, but Glen Sonmor's hockey legacy in the state on Minnesota will live on forever.
Sonmor retired in 2011, but his storied run on the Minnesota hockey scene was documented in a biography entitled "Old Time Hockey." The book was co-penned by Sonmor and Ross Bernstein. Perk caught up with Bernstein to discuss the life and legacy of this hockey legend.
