Gillett’s Canadiens tenure began with a combined investment in the team and its home venue, then known as the Molson Centre and now the Bell Centre.
The transaction received formal approval from the National Hockey League’s board of governors in December that year, completing the handover to the family that remains linked to the club today.
Gillett’s football story came between 2007 and 2010, when he owned Liverpool alongside Hicks. It was a shorter chapter than his time in Montreal, but it placed him at the centre of one of English football’s most globally recognised clubs.
His ownership career reflected a wider business life that included the founding of Brook Creek Management Corp. Born in Racine, Wisconsin, Gillett built a portfolio that crossed sport, finance and major venues.
Molson, now the Canadiens’ owner, president and chief executive, also said: “We sincerely appreciate his contributions to the Montreal Canadiens during his time as owner.”
That assessment will resonate differently in Montreal and Liverpool, where Gillett’s record remains tied to distinct eras of change. The next storyline to watch is how both sporting institutions reflect on his contribution while continuing their own modern chapters, on the ice and at Anfield.