Longtime coach Pat Quinn dies at 71

Longtime NHL coach Pat Quinn died Sunday night at Vancouver General Hospital after battling a long illness.The two-time Jack Adams Award winner was 71 years old.

"Whether he was playing for a team, coaching a team or building one, Pat Quinn was thoughtful, passionate and committed to success," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement released Monday."Pat's contributions to hockey, at every level, reflected the skills he possessed and the great respect with which he treated the sport.

"The National Hockey League, one of the many organizations to benefit from his devoted service, sends heartfelt condolences to Pat's loved ones and his many friends around the hockey world."

Concerns about Quinn's health were addressed recently, when he was unable to attend the Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony for the Class of 2014 this month. Quinn was the chairman of the HHOF.

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Pat Quinn," Jim Gregory, vice chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame, said in a release. "Pat is one of hockey's most respected individuals whose lifetime involvement as a player, coach and executive has made an indelible mark on the game, and our thoughts and prayers are with Sandra and all of Pat's family and friends at this extremely difficult time."

Quinn also served as co-owner of the Vancouver Giants, a major junior team in the Western Hockey League.

"Words cannot express the pain we all feel today for the Quinn family," Giants majority owner Ron Toigo said in a release. "Pat was an inspiration to all of us. He always said that respect was something that should be earned, not given, and the respect that he garnered throughout the hockey world speaks for itself. He will be sorely missed."

Quinn coached the Canadian Olympic team to a gold medal in 2002.

"Pat Quinn represented everything you could want in a coach and a man. His presence, his patience, his toughness, and his grasp of what was required in the moment, all define Pat," Tom Renney, president and CEO of Hockey Canada, wrote in an email to ESPN.com.

"The Hockey World is shaken today, and the pain of losing Pat Quinn will resonate with millions. To Pat's family, we wish you peace, at what has become the end of his journey, and the beginning of his legacy. We are fortunate you shared him with us ."

Quinn most recently coached the Oilersuntil he was replaced by Renney in 2010.He also coached the Flyers, Kings, Canucks and Maple Leafs.

"He was a great man," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "Unbelievable presence. Intelligent, intelligent guy. He was great at handling the media in Toronto. Maybe the last guy that was able to do that. Spent his whole life in the game."

Quinn twice took teams to the Stanley Cup finals.

Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment chairman Larry Tanenbaum issued a statement Monday, saying, "On behalf of the ownership, management, staff, and players of the Toronto Maple Leafs, we are all deeply saddened by the loss of Pat Quinn. Pat was an associate and good friend to so many of us. We join hockey fans around the country in offering our thoughts and prayers to his wife, Sandra, and daughters Kalli and Val."

Quinn was born on Jan. 29, 1943, in Hamilton, Ontario. He coached the Maple Leafs for seven seasons (1998 to 2006) and had a record of 300-214-52-8 in 574 games, second on the club's list for career wins (Punch Imlach had 370) and in games coached (Imlach coached in 770 games for Toronto).

His career record stood at 684-528-154-34. He ranks fifth on the league's career list for games coached (1,400) and games won (684).