as general manager until 1988 and team president from 1988 until 1993. Later life In retirement, Francis supported junior hockey in the New York and St. Louis markets. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1982 under the builders category. He was conferred the Lester Patrick Trophy that same year, in recognition of his contributions to hockey in the United States. He later received the Wayne Gretzky International Award in 2015. Personal life Francis met his wife Emma while in Saskatchewan, where she was studying to become a nurse. They were married for 68 years, until her death in 2020. Together, they had two sons: Bobby and Rick. Bobby was head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes and won the Jack Adams Award in 2002. Rick was the vice president of marketing and sales for the Whalers. In September 2007, Emma was reported missing after dropping Emile off at the Palm Beach International Airport for a flight to New Jersey. Neighbors reported not seeing Emma return home after driving to the airport. She was later found safe in a local hotel several days later. Francis died on February 19, 2022, at the age of 95. Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Source: Total Hockey Coaching record Source: Total Hockey See also List of members of the Hockey Hall of Fame Notable families in the NHL References Bibliography External links 1926 births 2022 deaths Canadian ice hockey coaches Canadian ice hockey goaltenders Chicago Blackhawks players Cincinnati Mohawks (AHL) players Cleveland Barons (1937–1973) players Hartford Whalers executives Hockey Hall of Fame inductees Ice hockey people from Saskatchewan Kansas City Pla-Mors players Lester Patrick Trophy recipients Moose Jaw Canucks players New Haven Ramblers players New York Rangers coaches New York Rangers executives New York Rangers general managers New York Rangers players Philadelphia Falcons players Regina Capitals players Saskatoon Quakers players Seattle Totems (WHL) players Spokane Comets players Spokane Spokes players Sportspeople from North Battleford St. Louis Blues coaches St. Louis Blues executives Vancouver Canucks (WHL) players Washington Lions players