Legendary WHL coach Ernie 'Punch' McLean has passed away following a single-vehicle accident near Dease Lake, leaving behind a legacy that defined an era of junior hockey.
McLean guided Bruins’ teams featuring the likes of Stan Smyl, Barry Beck, Brad Maxwell and Mark Lofthouse to four straight WHL titles from 1975-78, and back-to-back Memorial Cup national crowns in 1977 and 1978.. McLean starting out coaching his hometown Estevan Bruins and brought the team to New Westminster in 1971.. He coached 16 years in the WHL and his 1,067 regular season games behind the bench is eighth in league history.. He’s credited with
helping send over 100 players to the NHL.. The game was different when he was behind the bench.. It was much more rough and tumble.. The Bruins fit right in, and so did McLean.. They had a devoted fan following, regularly packing the Queen’s Park arena in their day.. They left New Westminster for good in 1988, but the Bruins remain one of the most celebrated junior hockey teams in B.C.. An email from Wayne
Gretzky promoting the statue bid was read out Wednesday.. McLean had coached him at a world junior tournament.. Smyl, who was travelling abroad, also sent along a message of support, while Lofthouse and Bill Ranford were there to give speeches.
Ernie Punch McLean, WHL coach, hockey legend, New Westminster Bruins, Memorial Cup, junior hockey