Tom McVie, former Devils coach, dead at 89

Former Bruins and Devils coach Tom McVie died at the age of 89, the Bruins announced on Monday.McVie began his coaching career with the Capitals and spent parts of nine seasons as a head coach with the Capitals, Jets and Devils before taking on various roles with the Bruins that ranged from assistant coach to scout to brand ambassador. “The entire Boston Bruins organization is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Tom McVie,” Bruins president Cam Neely said in a statement released on Monday.“Tom was a huge part of our Bruins family, having served as 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 he will be dearly missed.Our thoughts and prayers are with Tom’s family and many loved ones.”McVie began his coaching career in the now-defunct International Hockey League as head coach of the Dayton Gems before getting the gig as the Capitals’ head coach during the 1975-76 season. He held the position until he was fired in 1979.

He then took over as the Jets’ head coach — then of the World Hockey Association — and led the club to an Avco Cup title before the WHL and NHL merged the following season. He coached the Jets for parts of two seasons before replacing Bill MacMillaan as the Devils’ head coach in the middle of the 1983-84 season. He returned to coach the Devils during the 1991-92 season after coaching the AHL Utica Devils. “A legend of the sport and our community, he was the first ever AHL coach in Utica.Tom was an outstanding leader, and an incredible human being,” the AHL Utica Comets said in a tribute on Monday. The Jets memorialized McVie in a statement following his passing for being a “historical figure in Winnipeg’s pro hockey history.”“Tom’s personality, voice, and knowledge of the game transcended his title and time in our city as the team made the transition from the WHA to the NHL.

His a...