CHICAGO, July 31, 2008 (AFP) - Scotty Bowman, the winningest coach in National Hockey League history, accepted a job as senior advisor for the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday.

Bowman, 74, had served as a special consultant to the Detroit Red Wings since retiring in 2002 after coaching the Red Wings to their third Stanley Cup title in six seasons, capturing his record ninth NHL title.

Bowman, who also won five titles guiding the Montreal Canadiens in the 1970s and one in 1992 with Pittsburgh, owns the NHL record for regular-season triumphs at 1,244 and for playoff victories at 223.

Having also coached the St. Louis Blues and Buffalo Sabres, Bowman was named the NHL's coach of the year in 1977 and 1996 and he remains the only coach in North American major sports to guide three different clubs to championships.

The only North American sports coaches who have won as many league titles as Bowman are the late Red Auerbach and Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson, who have each guided nine National Basketball Association championship squads.