Ernie "Punch" McLean, one of the most successful coaches in Western Hockey League history, has died at the age of 93 following a vehicle crash in northern British Columbia.
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The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said officers responded to a report of a vehicle that had gone down an embankment along Highway 37, about 30 kilometers south of Dease Lake. A road maintenance worker discovered the scene and reported finding a deceased man nearby.
Emergency crews responded and the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities later identified the victim as McLean, whose coaching career left a lasting mark on junior hockey in Canada.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Police said early findings indicate the vehicle left the roadway before coming to rest down the embankment. Investigators are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact authorities.
The Western Hockey League is mourning the passing of Ernie 'Punch' McLean, five-time WHL Champion and longtime coach of the New Westminster Bruins.
McLean passed away Friday at the age of 93.
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— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) May 9, 2026
McLean was best known for his tenure with the New Westminster Bruins, whom he guided to four consecutive WHL championships from 1975-78. The Bruins also captured back-to-back Memorial Cup titles in 1977 and 1978 under his leadership.
The Western Hockey League paid tribute to McLean following news of his death.
"The Western Hockey League is mourning the passing of Ernie 'Punch' McLean, five-time WHL Champion and longtime coach of the New Westminster Bruins," the league said in a statement.
McLean was widely regarded as one of the defining figures in major junior hockey and helped develop numerous players who later advanced to professional careers.
His impact on the game extended well beyond championships, earning him respect throughout the hockey community over several decades. McLean was 93.
