Bob 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.

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. 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. 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.

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.

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. 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.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs 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 Postseason G W L T OTL Pts Division rank WLResult 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