Former Montreal Canadiens owner George Gillett Jr. dies at 87

George Gillett Jr., the former majority owner of the Montreal Canadiens, has died at age 87, the team said Thursday. No cause of death was provided. Gillett bought the Canadiens and the Bell Centre in 2001 for $275 million, using financing from banks and Quebec’s pension fund manager. He later sold the team and arena to the Molson family in 2009, with the NHL approving the deal later that year. Born in Racine, Wisconsin, Gillett built his career in portfolio management and also coowned Liverpool FC from 2007 to 2010. Canadiens owner Geoff Molson said Gillett was a valued presence in the organization and had a strong connection to Montreal.