of the time put too much strain on the hand of goalkeepers, and, after gaining executive approval, equipment based on Francis's glove became commonplace. In October 1948, Francis was traded with Alex Kaleta to the New York Rangers in exchange for Jim Henry. Over the next four years, he would play sparingly in a relief role for the Rangers, while playing mostly on New York's American Hockey League affiliate. He finished his career in the Western Hockey League, including stints with the Vancouver Canucks, Saskatoon Quakers, and Seattle Americans. Francis retired from playing at the conclusion of the 1959–60 season. Coaching and executive career Upon retirement in 1960, Francis initially was asked to coach in Moose Jaw, but without a firm agreement in place he declined the offer. Sought after for his leadership skills, he instead joined the Rangers organization; offered a choice to coach their senior affiliate in Trois Rivieres, Quebec or junior team in Guelph, Ontario, he chose Guelph and became the coach of the Ontario Hockey Association's Guelph Royals. Two years later, he was summoned to the Rangers and became assistant general manager, and in 1964, he took over as general manager, and then a year later assumed the coaching position as well. Although he coached a struggling team during his first season, Francis would remain behind the bench for ten seasons (except for brief moves to a solely front office position in 1968 and 1973), making the playoffs in each year and leading his team to a loss in the 1972 Stanley Cup Finals. However, his decision on October 31, 1975, to release Eddie Giacomin – who was popular with Rangers fans – drew their ire. When Giacomin returned to Madison Square Garden two days later as a Detroit Red Wings player, some fans chanted "Kill the Cat". After being fired by the Rangers in January 1976, Francis joined the St. Louis Blues as general manager and executive vice president, and accepted a 10% ownership stake in the team. When NHL president Clarence Campbell announced he would retire in the mid-1970s, Francis was touted as a potential successor (John Ziegler ultimately replaced Campbell in 1977). He was instrumental in finding a local owner for the financially troubled franchise in the early 1980s, and he also returned to the bench for two separate head coaching stints. In 1983 Francis took a position with the Hartford Whalers, serving