In 2001, he bought 80% of the team costing him $275M but today sold his stake back to the brewing family Molson for an estimated $480M.
He insisted the sale had nothing to do with his involvement with Liverpool Football Club.
Gillett said his only regret was the team not winning the Stanley Cup:
“I have no jewelry,” he joked (referring to the ring given to members of Stanley Cup winning teams. “I’d like some.
“I’ve watched a lot of our friends go through difficult times in their lives and marriages.
“Until things start to break up, you don’t realize the emotion and the attachments that are there.”
“This is an asset that has become more than an asset. This is a love affair.”