Irving Grundman

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Irving Grundman
Born(1928-07-23)July 23, 1928
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
DiedFebruary 26, 2021(2021-02-26) (aged 92)
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Occupation(s)politician, businessman, NHL general manager

Irving Grundman (July 23, 1928 – February 26, 2021) was a Canadian ice hockey executive and municipal politician. He served as general manager of the Montreal Canadiens from 1978 to 1983.[1] He also served on the Montreal City Council.[2] Prior to his career in hockey and politics, he was the co-founder of the Laurentian Lanes bowling alleys.

Early life

Grundman was born in Montreal on July 23, 1928.[3] His father, Morris, worked in the meat industry;[3][4] his mother was Bessie (Epstein).[3] Grundman first worked together with his father in the meat business. He went on to establish Laurentian Lanes – which owned bowling alleys in Montreal, Ottawa, and Kingston – in 1959,[5][6] along with his friend Jack Prehogan.[3] After almost a decade with Laurentian Lanes, Grundman was elected as a municipal councillor for Saint-Laurent in 1968,[5][6] while staying on with the company.[5]

Career

Montreal Canadiens

Grundman became president of the Montreal Forum in 1972, one year after Peter and Edward Bronfman purchased both the venue and the Montreal Canadiens.[5] He managed the Forum's business operations.[5][3] He was subsequently appointed general manager (GM) after Sam Pollock retired in 1978,[5] edging out both Scotty Bowman and Al MacNeil for the job despite having no prior experience in hockey.[7]

Grundman served as GM of the Canadiens from

1980 NHL Entry Draft, picking Doug Wickenheiser instead in what reporter Frank Seravalli described as an infamous selection.[9]

Grundman's biggest move as the Canadiens general manager occurred on September 7, 1982 when he traded Rod Langway, Brian Engblom, Doug Jarvis and Craig Laughlin to the Washington Capitals in exchange for Ryan Walter and Rick Green. While Grundman's acquisitions of Walter and Green proved to be solid for the Canadiens, the trade however wound up saving the Capitals franchise in the long term.[10]

In April 1983, Grundman was one of three Canadiens personnel to be dismissed, along with head coach Bob Berry and director of personnel and recruiting Ron Caron. This came several days after the team was eliminated from the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs for the third straight season.[11] Grundman was succeeded as GM by Serge Savard.[3][8]

Municipal politics

Grundman worked as a city councilor for over 35 years.[6] At one time, he was the longest-serving politician in Montreal.[12] During his tenure, he served as the executive chairman of St-Laurent Technoparc and played a pivotal part in its development. He was also recognized for his role in bringing in several large companies to do business in Montreal. He ran for public office for the last time in the 2001 municipal election and characterized himself as a "fighter by nature" despite being 72 years old at the time.[4]

Grundman was arrested on April 29, 2002, together with fellow councillor Rene Dussault.[13] They were charged in relation to receiving a $75,000 cash bribe from an undercover provincial police officer earlier that year, ostensibly in exchange for amending a municipal zoning bylaw.[13][14] Grundman pleaded guilty to municipal corruption in September 2004, with eight other charges being stayed.[15] He also resigned from Union Montreal that same month.[16] In January 2005, he received a conditional sentence of 23 months to be served in the community and was fined $50,000.[14] He proceeded to resign as a city councilor.[15]

Personal life

Grundman was married to Goldie Gail (Schreiber) for 60 years before her death. Together, they had three children: Howard, Gary, and Pamela, who predeceased him. He was his wife's primary caregiver during her final years, when she was afflicted with Alzheimer's disease.[4]

Grundman died at the age of 92 on February 26, 2021, after a short illness.[4]

References

  1. ^ "Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel - Service Details". www.benjaminsparkmemorialchapel.ca.
  2. ISBN 9780307371010
    .
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Irving Grundman – obituary". Montreal Gazette. February 27, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d "Former Canadiens GM Irving Grundman dies at 92". Montreal Gazette. February 27, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g "Canadiens mourn the loss of Irving Grundman". Montreal Canadiens. February 26, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  6. ^ a b c Caruso–Moro, Luca (February 26, 2021). "Former city councilor and Habs General Manager Irving Grundman dies at 92". CTV News. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  7. ISBN 9780771027529
    .
  8. ^ a b "Former Habs GM Grundman passes away". The Sports Network. February 26, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  9. ^ Seravalli, Frank (September 11, 2020). "Was legendary Habs GM targeting Gretzky for 1980 draft?". The Sports Network. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  10. ^ Langway trade still resonates in DC thirty years later
  11. ^ Fisher, Red (April 14, 1983). "Habs Heads Roll". Vancouver Sun. p. F1. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  12. ^ "Former Canadiens GM Irving Grundman dies at 92". montrealgazette. Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  13. ^ a b Rica, Andy (September 21, 2004). "Church was told to fork over $100,000 for zoning, court told". Montreal Gazette. p. 4. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  14. ^ a b "Ex-Habs GM sentenced for bribe". CBC Sports. January 10, 2005. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  15. ^ a b Ferguson, Liz (January 11, 2005). "Corruption: Grundman apologizes to constituents". Montreal Gazette. p. 4. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  16. ^ "The Corruption Files: "But it's like that in Montreal"". Montreal Gazette. September 23, 2004. p. A6. Retrieved March 1, 2021.

External links

Preceded by General Manager of the Montreal Canadiens
1978–83 		Succeeded by
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