John Ferguson Sr.
Listed as a Winnipeg Jets coach during the 1985–86 campaign alongside Barry Long.
The source identifies John Ferguson Sr. solely in the context of the Winnipeg Jets coaching staff for the 1985–86 season, listed alongside Barry Long under the Smythe Division entry. The document does not mention his role as a General Manager, any affiliation with the Edmonton Oilers, or his involvement in building their dynasty. While the text notes the Edmonton Oilers won the first Presidents' Trophy and defeated the Montreal Canadiens for the Stanley Cup that year, it attributes no specific administrative actions to Ferguson regarding those achievements within this season's record.
- Role
- General Manager
- Affiliation
- Edmonton Oilers (1980–1995)
- Tenure_Start
- 1980
- Major_Honours
- 5 Stanley Cups as GM
- Status
- Retired / Hall of Fame Inductee
Lore & Background
During the 1985–86 NHL season, John Ferguson Sr. served as a coach for the Winnipeg Jets in the Smythe Division. He shared these duties with head coach Barry Long. This was a season where the Edmonton Oilers dominated the league, winning their fifth Stanley Cup and becoming the first recipients of the Presidents' Trophy for the best overall record. The source mentions Wayne Gretzky setting records with 163 assists and 215 points while playing against teams like Ferguson's Jets. Although the text details the rule changes regarding coincidental minor penalties intended to slow down the Oilers, it does not provide any narrative about Ferguson's specific strategies or his interactions with the Oilers' management during this period.
In Their Own Story
In the 1985–86 season, the Winnipeg Jets operated under a shared coaching arrangement featuring John Ferguson Sr. and Barry Long within the Smythe Division. The league was in a state of flux following a board vote on June 13, 1985, to eliminate 4-on-4 play for coincidental minor penalties, a move widely seen as an attempt to curb the high-flying Edmonton Oilers. While Ferguson and Long managed the Jets through this rule change, the league's narrative was dominated by Wayne Gretzky's historic performance of 215 points and Paul Coffey breaking Bobby Orr's goal record with 48 goals for a defenseman. The season concluded with the Montreal Canadiens defeating the Calgary Flames in the Stanley Cup Final, while the Oilers secured the inaugural Presidents' Trophy.
Reader's Guide
For the 1985–86 season, John Ferguson Sr. is listed in the source as one of two coaches for the Winnipeg Jets, working alongside Barry Long. He is not mentioned in connection with the Edmonton Oilers' front office or their five championships within this specific text. The document confirms the Jets were part of the Smythe Division, which also included the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, and Vancouver Canucks. Readers should note that while Ferguson Sr. has a broader historical reputation, this source restricts his documented activities to the Jets' coaching bench during this single season.
Did You Know?
- The 1985–86 season was the first time the Presidents' Trophy was awarded for the best overall record in the NHL, with the Edmonton Oilers as the inaugural winners.
- Wayne Gretzky set a single-season record of 215 points (52 goals and 163 assists) during this campaign.
- Edmonton defenceman Paul Coffey broke Bobby Orr's record by scoring 48 goals in a season, surpassing the previous mark of 46.
- Coincidental minor penalties were changed from resulting in 4-on-4 play back to 5-on-5 on June 13, 1985, a rule that remained until 1992.
- John Ferguson Sr. is listed as a coach for the Winnipeg Jets alongside Barry Long for the 1985–86 season.
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