ECHL Mourns Loss Of Long-Time Pro Hockey Coach

The ECHL and its member teams mourn the loss and express their condolences to the family and friends of Tom McVie, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 89.

McVie spent one season in the ECHL as head coach of the Wheeling Nailers in 1996-97, leading the club to a 36-29-5 record.

His career in professional hockey spanned more than 60 years. During his playing career, he played in future ECHL markets in Toledo, Fort Wayne, Johnstown and Dayton.

McVie began his coaching career as a player/coach with the Johnstown Jets of the Eastern Hockey League in 1972-73. He spent a total of 10 seasons as an American Hockey League head coach with Maine (1982-87), Utica (1987-91) and Providence, and received the Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award as the league’s outstanding coach in 1988-89. His 328 victories put him among the top 20 in league history.

In the National Hockey League, McVie was a head coach with Washington (1975-79), Winnipeg (1979-81) and New Jersey (1990-92). He also served as an assistant coach and later a long-time scout with the Boston Bruins.