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By Jon Paul Hoornstra
Contributing Sports Writer
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Tom McVie, a longtime NHL head coach for the New Jersey Devils, Winnipeg Jets, and Washington Capitals, has died. He was 89.
The Boston Bruins, for whom McVie also coached and scouted in recent years, announced the news on their X account Monday.
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"The entire Boston Bruins organization is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Tom McVie," Bruins president Cam Neely said in a statement. "Tom was a huge part of our Bruins family, having served as a coach, scout and ambassador for more than 30 years. His hockey mind, colorful personality, gruff voice, and unmatched sense of humor livened up every room he entered and will be dearly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with Tom's family and many loved ones."
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Boston hired McVie as an assistant coach for the 1992-93 season, and after transitioning through a few different roles, he became a pro scout for the Bruins in 1998. He held that role until retiring after the 2019-20 season — his eighth decade involved in organized hockey as a player, coach, or scout.
McVie had a lengthy minor league career in the WHL, IHL, and ECHL for the Seattle Totems, Portland Buckaroos, Phoenix Roadrunners, Los Angeles Blades, and Johnstown Jets. Although he never played in the NHL, McVie played 15 seasons in the WHL, including championship seasons in 1959 with Seattle and 1964-65 with Portland. He played more than 1,100 professional games and scored 470 goals.
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In 2011, McVie was recognized by the American Hockey League for his many years as a coach in the top feeder league for the NHL. He won 329 games through his final season on the bench with the Providence Bruins in 1997-98.
Among McVie's career highlights: a World Hockey Association championship with the Winnipeg Jets in 1979.
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"I'd be at the rink from six in the morning and I wouldn't go home until 11 at night," McVie recalled in a 2011 interview. "I wasn't always doing hockey, but I was in the rink. I've had letters from people, guys who went on to have NHL careers. A lot of these guys are in their 50s now. They say, 'When I played for you, I actually thought you were crazy. Now I'm telling my sons exactly the things you told me.' "
A native of Trail, British Columbia, he was inducted into his home province's Hockey Hall of Fame in 2005.
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