George Clifford "Cliff" Fletcher (born August 16, 1935) is a National Hockey League executive and is a former general manager of the Atlanta Flames/Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Phoenix Coyotes.
[2] Fletcher started his career in 1956 for the Montreal Canadiens as a scout under Sam Pollock, then later became the general manager of the Verdun Blues junior team.
Fletcher's general manager career started in the Central Hockey League with the Kansas City Blues when he was awarded the top job in January 1971 during a mid-season shake-up that also saw John Choyce appointed as the team's new head coach.
Fletcher moved to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1991, to serve as chief operating officer, president and general manager.
He made a blockbuster trade with Doug Risebrough, his successor as the Flames' General Manager, sending Gary Leeman, Michel Petit, Jeff Reese, Craig Berube, and Alexander Godynyuk to the Flames for Doug Gilmour, Jamie Macoun, Ric Nattress, Rick Wamsley and Kent Manderville on January 2, 1992.
Ultimately, Fletcher did not match the postseason success he enjoyed in Calgary, as the Leafs failed to reach the Stanley Cup Finals during his tenure.
On April 11, 2007, Fletcher and General Manager Mike Barnett were fired after the Coyotes finished the 2006–07 season with its worst record since relocating from Winnipeg to Phoenix in 1996.
He previously served as assistant general manager of the Florida Panthers and director of hockey operations of the Anaheim Ducks.