The Funniest Man in Hockey

Tom McVie (1935-2025) had a 20-year career as a player in the minors, 20 years as a coach and an assistant coach, plus 25 years as a scout. Over his six decades in hockey, he coached some of the worst teams in NHL history as well as some of the best, including the New Jersey Devils, the Washington Capitals, and the Winnipeg Jets. 

He was the last coach of the World Hockey Association Winnipeg Jets, leading them to the final AVCO Cup, and the first coach in the NHL. So, he had the highs of a championship followed by the lows of a record that will never be broken — going winless in 30 consecutive games. All the way through, though, he never lost his sense of humour and kept his sanity by making people laugh.

His dedication to professional hockey and commitment to struggling teams lead to 328 victories in the AHL, making him one of the top 20 coaches in the league’s history; however, McVie is best remembered for his humour and storytelling.

Through extensive research and exclusive interviews with those who knew McVie well, longtime sportswriter Geoff Kirbyson shares a vivid portrait of this legendary character whose kindness and spark lit up every room.

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