Editing Joe Crozier (section)

==Coaching career==
[[File:JoeCrozier1.jpg|thumb|right|Crozier in 2015]]
Crozier made his head coaching debut in 1957–58 with the [[Quebec Aces]] of the [[Quebec Senior Hockey League]], while still playing defence with the team.<ref name=quebeccoach/> Quebec posted a 29–31–4 record. In 1961, he became the head coach and general manager for the [[Charlotte Checkers (EHL/SHL)|Charlotte Checkers]] of the minor professional [[Eastern Hockey League]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/619875538/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20%22Charlotte%20Checkers%22&match=1 |title=11 Aug 1961, 18 – The Charlotte News at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=August 11, 1961 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref> After one season with the Checkers, he rejoined Rochester of the AHL as their coach.<ref name=amerks/> In 1965, his second season as head coach of the Americans, he won his first of three [[Calder Cups]], as AHL champion, during five seasons with the team.<ref name=legendary>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/591332774/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20%22calder%20cup%22&match=1 |title=24 Feb 2019, A15 – Democrat and Chronicle at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=February 24, 2019 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref> The directors of the [[Vancouver Canucks (WHL)|Vancouver Canucks]] of the Western Hockey League purchased the Americans after the 1967–68 season, and Crozier assigned [[Dick Gamble]] to coach for Rochester while he coached for Vancouver.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/492285207/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20vancouver&match=1 |title=14 Aug 1968, 23 – The Vancouver Sun at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=August 14, 1968 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/500952849/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20vancouver&match=1 |title=10 Sep 1968, 11 – The Province at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=September 10, 1968 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref> Crozier won two [[Lester Patrick Cup]]s as WHL champion in his two seasons with Vancouver.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/500621194/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20%22lester%20patrick%22&match=1 |title=5 May 1970, 10 – The Province at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=May 5, 1970 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref> In 1971, he became the coach and general manager of the [[Cincinnati Swords]] of the AHL.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/763930482/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20%22punch%20imlach%22&match=1 |title=2 Jul 1971, 26 – The Cincinnati Post at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=July 2, 1971 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref>

After a heart attack to [[Buffalo Sabres]] coach [[Punch Imlach|"Punch" Imlach]], Crozier was given Imlach's position and made his [[National Hockey League]] coaching debut in [[1971–72 NHL season|1972]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/871268928/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20%22punch%20imlach%22&match=1 |title=13 Jan 1972, 13 – The Buffalo News at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=January 13, 1972 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref> He coached the final 37 games for the Sabres. Imlach stepped down as coach after the season,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/136828084/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20%22punch%20imlach%22&match=1 |title=17 May 1972, Page 47 – Democrat and Chronicle at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=May 17, 1972 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref> and Crozier succeeded him.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/281487326/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20%22punch%20imlach%22&match=1 |title=24 May 1972, 25 – The Daily Journal at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=May 24, 1972 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref> He coached the Sabres to a playoff berth the following season, where the Sabres lost to the [[Montreal Canadiens]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/493207010/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20sabres%20montreal&match=1 |title=13 Apr 1973, 23 – The Vancouver Sun at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=April 13, 1973 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref> After finishing his third season with the Sabres out of the playoffs, however, he was replaced by [[Floyd Smith (ice hockey)|Floyd Smith]] after the [[1973–74 NHL season|1973–74 season]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/434566715/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20%22floyd%20smith%22&match=1 |title=24 May 1974, 25 – El Paso Times at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=May 24, 1974 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref>

Upon leaving the Sabres, he became the general manager of the [[Vancouver Blazers]] in the [[World Hockey Association]] in [[1974–75 WHA season|1974–75]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/495566842/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20blazers&match=1 |title=4 May 1974, 22 – The Leader-Post at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=May 4, 1974 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref> The team relocated in 1975, becoming the [[Calgary Cowboys]], and Crozier signed a new five-year contract as coach and general manager.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/481324577/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20calgary%20cowboys&match=1 |title=7 May 1975, 1 – Calgary Herald at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=May 7, 1975 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref> In [[1975–76 WHA season|1975–76]], Crozier made it to the semi-finals with the Cowboys, but lost to the [[Winnipeg Jets (1972–96)|Winnipeg Jets]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/482258335/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20cowboys%20jets&match=1 |title=3 May 1976, 43 – Calgary Herald at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=May 3, 1976 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref> In his third and final season with the Blazers-Cowboys franchise, in which Calgary failed to make the playoffs, Crozier dumped the team's spare hockey sticks from the bench onto the ice during a game in protest of a disputed call. Another incident with the Cowboys involves a mishap while trying to return to Calgary after a game against the [[San Diego Mariners]]. The pilot had failed to refuel and there was not enough gas to return home. Although Crozier asked the team to collectively pitch in, they still did not have enough money. The team was bailed out by their play-by-play announcer who used his wife's [[Texaco]] card to front the $1,500 bill.<ref name=mhhof/> During his stint with the franchise, Crozier also rose to the position of general manager.<ref name=mhhof/>

In [[1980–81 NHL season|1980–81]], Crozier was named to coach the Maple Leafs in the NHL. However, the Leafs started with 13 wins in the first 40 games. After a five-game losing streak in January, Crozier was replaced mid-season with [[Mike Nykoluk]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/503383164/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20%22Mike%20Nykoluk%22&match=1 |title=12 Jan 1981, 14 – The Windsor Star at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=January 12, 1981 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref>

After his second NHL stint, Crozier joined the [[Kitchener Rangers]] of the major junior [[Ontario Hockey League]] in September 1981 as their coach and general manager, replacing [[Orval Tessier]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/727816582/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20%22Orval%20Tessier%22&match=1 |title=2 Sep 1981, 14 – The Sun Times at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=September 2, 1981 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref> The Rangers had just come off a [[Memorial Cup]] final game loss to the [[Cornwall Royals]] the previous season. In his first season with the team, they returned to the Memorial Cup, winning the [[J. Ross Robertson Cup]] as the OHL champion.<ref name=ontario/> The Rangers made it to the [[1982 Memorial Cup]] Final and defeated the [[Sherbrooke Castors]] 7–4 to capture Crozier and the Rangers' first [[Canadian Hockey League]] title.<ref name=memorialcup>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/482966242/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20%22memorial%20cup%22&match=1 |title=17 May 1982, 26 – Calgary Herald at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=May 17, 1982 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref>

Coming off their Memorial Cup championship, Crozier and the Rangers finished with a 45–23–2 record in [[1982–83 OHL season|1982–83]], but fell to the [[Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds]] in the third round. After two seasons with the Rangers, Crozier quit following a contract dispute.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/738152506/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20sault&match=1 |title=30 Jun 1983, 13 – The Sault Star at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=June 30, 1983 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref> He returned to the Rochester Americans for one season, in which they reached the [[1983–84 AHL season#Calder Cup playoffs|1984 Calder Cup]] Final against the [[Maine Mariners (AHL)|Maine Mariners]], but lost in five games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/137118125/?terms=%22joe%20crozier%22%20%22calder%20cup%22&match=1 |title=17 May 1984, Page 33 – Democrat and Chronicle at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=May 17, 1984 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref> Crozier then retired after the 1983–84 season. Crozier was inducted into the [[Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame]] in 1985 for his efforts.<ref name=mhhof/> He was elected to the American Hockey League Hall of Fame, Class of 2012, for his career as a player and coach.<ref>{{cite web|author=Michigan |url=https://www.mlive.com/griffins/2011/11/ahl_names_four_to_2011_hall_of.html |title=AHL names four to 2011 Hall of Fame class |publisher=mlive.com |date=November 10, 2011 |accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref>