Ernie “Punch” McLean, a legendary coach in British Columbia hockey, was found dead after a single‑vehicle accident south of Dease Lake on May 8, 2026. He was 93 years old, and a road maintenance worker discovered the overturned car and his body in an embankment, prompting an immediate RCMP response.
McLean’s impact on the sport stretches across decades. He guided more than 100 players into National Hockey League careers and amassed a record of 1,067 WHL games coached, the second‑most in league history. His teams, the New Westminster Bruins, captured the Memorial Cup in 1977 and 1978, and he was honored as WHL Coach of the Year in 1975.
A Legacy That Spanned Decades
Beyond the bench, McLean was known for his adventurous spirit as a prospector in the Northwest. In August 2009, he vanished while surveying a gold claim near Dease Lake; after an extensive search, he was located four days later, an episode that added a dramatic chapter to his already larger‑than‑life story.
Just days before his fatal crash, McLean had traveled to northwestern British Columbia to support a community effort to erect a statue in his honour, a testament to the deep respect he commanded locally. The recent tragedy has sparked an outpouring of tributes from former players, colleagues and fans who remember his mentorship and indomitable will.
Investigators believe the vehicle swerved off the road and ejected the driver, a scenario that aligns with the early findings of the Dease Lake RCMP. As the hockey world mourns, McLean’s contributions to the game and his enduring influence on the region’s sporting culture remain unquestioned.