The Canadian hockey community is mourning the loss of legendary coach Ernie 'Punch' McLean, who died at age 93 in a single-vehicle crash near Dease Lake in northern British Columbia.
RCMP confirmed McLean was the lone victim, found after a road maintenance worker reported the vehicle down an embankment. The cause remains under investigation, but police say McLean swerved and was ejected from the car.
McLean coached 16 seasons in the Western Hockey League, leading the New Westminster Bruins and Estevan Bruins. He guided New Westminster to four straight WHL championships from 1975 to 1978 and two Memorial Cup titles in 1977 and 1978. Earlier, he won a WHL title with Estevan in 1968, making him the only coach with five WHL championships.
The Vancouver Canucks honored McLean, calling him "a presence that can never be replaced." The WHL also extended condolences. The tragic news came days after McLean attended a campaign launch for a permanent statue at Queens Park Arena in New Westminster.