Pittsburgh Penguins founder Jack McGregor, who was also a Pennsylvania State Senator, has died. He was 91 years old.
The Penguins announced McGregor’s death on X on Thursday.
“On January 6th, the original founder of the Penguins franchise, Jack McGregor, passed away at the age of 91,” the franchise said. “The team extends our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and teammates during this difficult time.”
Jack McGregor, a Pennsylvania native, served as a Republican state senator from 1963-70.
During that time, he brought an NHL franchise to Pittsburgh as the National Hockey League granted the city a franchise in February of 1966.
The Penguins would go on to play their first season in 1967-68 and now have five Stanley Cups.
According to McGregor’s bio, he and his law school classmate Peter Block “formed a group of local investors for the Pittsburgh franchise that included H. J. Heinz Company, Chief Executive Officer, H. J. Heinz II, Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney and Mellon family heir Richard Mellon Scaife.”
Jack McGregor was named the president and CEO of the Penguins franchise after it was formed. He also owned 12.5 precent of the team.
McGregor and his partners ended up selling the team during the 1970-71 season.