Bobby Francis

Robert Emile Francis (born December 5, 1958) is a Canadian-American former professional ice hockey player and coach. He played 14 games in the National Hockey League with the Detroit Red Wings during the 1982–83 season, though most of his career was spent in the minor leagues. He was the head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes of the from June 1999 to February 2004. In 2002 Francis became the first Coyotes' coach to win the Jack Adams Award. He is the son of former NHL general manager and coach Emile Francis.

Bobby Francis
Born	(1958-12-05) December 5, 1958 (age 65) North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada
Height	5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Weight	174 lb (79 kg; 12 st 6 lb)
Position	Centre
Shot	Right
Played for	Detroit Red Wings
NHL draft	Undrafted
Playing career	1980–1987

Coaching career

Francis served as a player-coach with the Salt Lake Golden Eagles of the International Hockey League (IHL) in 1986, followed by four years as head coach of the IHL's Utah Grizzlies.^[1] After head coaching stints in the American Hockey League (AHL) for the Saint John Flames and Providence Bruins, Francis spent two years at the NHL level as an assistant coach to Pat Burns of the Boston Bruins before being hired by the Phoenix Coyotes in 1999.^[1] In 2002, after leading the Coyotes to a 40-27-9-6 record, and the most points in the league following that year's Olympic break, Francis was awarded the Jack Adams Award as Coach of the Year.^[2] Midway through his fifth season at the helm of the Coyotes in 2004, Francis was fired after a slow start and replaced by assistant coach Rick Bowness.^[3]

On April 26, 2006, Francis signed a two-year contract to coach HIFK in the Finnish SM-liiga. On December 19, 2006, Francis's contract was terminated.^[4]

Personal life

Although Francis was born in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, he spent much of his youth growing up in Long Beach, New York, while his father was coaching the New York Rangers, and holds both Canadian and American citizenship. In September 2012, it was revealed that Francis had lost his balance and equilibrium and required a walker to get around.^[5] The symptoms began showing during the 2003–04 NHL season. Francis also revealed his struggle with alcoholism, which played a key factor in his dismissal from HIFK.^[5]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1972–73	Brooklyn Stars	NYJHL		38	36	34	70	44		—	—	—	—	—
1973–74	Brooklyn Stars	NYJHL		41	41	53	94	63		12	17	11	28	24
1974–75	Bronx Shamrocks	NYJHL		40	53	59	112	71		—	—	—	—	—
1975–76	Great Bay Vikings	NEJHL		40	62	74	136	61		—	—	—	—	—
1976–77	University of New Hampshire	ECAC		13	2	7	9	12		—	—	—	—	—
1977–78	University of New Hampshire	ECAC		27	7	14	21	6		—	—	—	—	—
1978–79	University of New Hampshire	ECAC		35	20	46	66	44		—	—	—	—	—
1979–80	University of New Hampshire	ECAC		28	19	23	42	30		—	—	—	—	—
1980–81	Muskegon Mohawks	IHL		27	16	17	33	33		—	—	—	—	—
1980–81	Birmingham Bulls	CHL		18	6	21	27	20		—	—	—	—	—
1981–82	Oklahoma City Stars	CHL		80	48	66	114	76		4	1	2	3	11
1982–83	Colorado Flames	CHL		26	20	16	36	24		—	—	—	—	—
1982–83	Adirondack Red Wings	AHL		17	3	8	11	0		—	—	—	—	—
1982–83	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		14	2	0	2	0		—	—	—	—	—
1983–84	Colorado Flames	CHL		68	32	50	82	53		1	0	1	1	0
1984–85	Salt Lake Golden Eagles	IHL		53	24	16	40	36		6	1	1	2	0
1985–86	Salt Lake Golden Eagles	IHL		82	32	44	76	163		5	0	4	4	10
1986–87	Salt Lake Golden Eagles	IHL		82	29	69	98	86		17	9	8	17	13
IHL totals				244	101	146	247	318		28	10	13	23	23
NHL totals				14	2	0	2	0		—	—	—	—	—

NHL coaching

Team	Year	Regular season							Post season
		G	W	L	T	OTL	Pts	Division rank	W	L	Result
Phoenix Coyotes	1999–00	82	39	31	8	4	90	3rd in Pacific	1	4	Lost in first round
Phoenix Coyotes	2000–01	82	35	27	17	3	90	4th in Pacific	—	—	Missed Playoffs
Phoenix Coyotes	2001–02	82	40	27	9	6	95	2nd in Pacific	1	4	Lost in first round
Phoenix Coyotes	2002–03	82	31	35	11	5	78	4th in Pacific	—	—	Missed Playoffs
Phoenix Coyotes	2003–04	62	20	24	15	3	55	5th in Pacific	—	—	Fired
NHL totals		390		165	144	60	21

References

1. "Francis Is Coyotes New Coach". CBS News. June 16, 1999. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
2. "Jose Theodore named NHL MVP | CBC Sports". CBC. CBC News. June 27, 2002. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
3. Garay, Anabelle (February 24, 2004). "Phoenix Coyotes Fire Bob Francis As Coach (washingtonpost.com)". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on May 24, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2006.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
5. Bickley, Dan (September 28, 2012). "Ex-coach Bob Francis now fighting for quality of life". USA Today. Retrieved October 1, 2016.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database

Preceded by Joe Mullen	Winner of the Phil Esposito Trophy 1981–82	Succeeded by Wes Jarvis
Preceded by Joe Mullen	Winner of the Tommy Ivan Trophy 1981–82	Succeeded by Kelly Hrudey
Preceded by Steve Kasper	Head coach of the Providence Bruins 1995–97	Succeeded by Tom McVie
Preceded by Jim Schoenfeld	Head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes 1999–2004	Succeeded by Rick Bowness
Preceded by Bill Barber	Winner of the Jack Adams Award 2002	Succeeded by Jacques Lemaire
Preceded by Doug Shedden	HIFK head coach 2006	Succeeded by Paul Baxter