Former Canadiens and Liverpool owner George Gillett Jr. dies at 87

George Gillett Jr., the former majority owner of the Montreal Canadiens and part owner of Liverpool FC, has died at age 87. The Canadiens said the death was confirmed on Thursday, but no cause was provided. Gillett bought the Bell Centre and a controlling stake in the Canadiens in 2001 for $275 million, financing the deal with bank loans and support from Quebec's pension fund manager. He later sold the team and arena back to the Molson family in 2009, with the sale approved by the NHL board later that year. Born in Racine, Wisconsin, in 1938, Gillett also coowned Liverpool from 2007 to 2010 and founded Brook Creek Management Corp. Canadiens owner Geoff Molson said Gillett was active in the Montreal community and thanked him for his contribution to the franchise.