Tom McVie - page 2

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His next job led to a huge break. The Dayton Gems were the farm team of the National Hockey League’s Washington Capitals. Since Tom had great success in Dayton over his three-year tenure, he received the opportunity to coach the Capitals as they struggled in the 1975-76 season. Tom continued his General Manager duties in Dayton, even after he was hired as Head Coach of the Capitals. That season, the Dayton Gems won the International Hockey League championship. His first season was a long one in Washington, but in the second season, the team became more competitive and Tom was honoured as the NHL’s runner-up Coach of the Year in the 1976-77 season. Scotty Bowman beat out Tom as Coach of the Year.

The Winnipeg Jets of the World Hockey Association hired Tom in 1979. The team was struggling when he was hired, but he led the Jets to win the Avco Championship Trophy, by beating the Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier-led Edmonton Oilers. Tom coached two more seasons with the now NHL Winnipeg Jets, with Bobby Hull being one of his most notable players.

Tom coached the NHL’s New Jersey Devils in 1984, and throughout the 1980s, he was considered to be one of the best teachers and cultivators of young talent in the game of hockey. He coached farm teams for the Calgary Flames, New Jersey Devils, and Philadelphia Flyers in Oklahoma City, Portland, Maine and Utica, New York respectively, in the Central and American Hockey Leagues. He was honoured as American Hockey League Coach of the Year in the 1988-89 season. As General Manager, his 1983-84 Maine Mariners won the league championship.

Tom coached the New Jersey Devils for two years in the early 1990s. He was asked by Harry Sinden to be the Assistant Coach of the Boston Bruins. He accepted and was Brian Sutter’s assistant for three seasons, coaching future Hall-of-Famers Ray Borque and Cam Neeley. In 1996, Tom coached the Wheeling Nailers of the East Coast Hockey League. His final coaching job was with Boston’s farm team in Providence of the American Hockey League. Tom’s coaching career spanned for 27 years, with over 2,000 games coached and more than 600 victories.

Tom has hung up his coach’s whistle, but continues to be the Boston Bruins’ Professional Scout for west coast operations. He has truly made a career of doing what he loves.