Ernie "Punch" McLean, the former New Westminster Bruins coach who built a 1970s dynasty and metored future NHL stars, died on May 8 after his car left the road near Dease Lake in northern British Columbia. the 93‑year‑old former gold prospector was found after the vehicle plunged down an embankment, according to local reports.

Fatal crash near Dease Lake ends a rugged life

Police confirmed that McLean’s vehicle veered off a remote highway and rolled down an embankment, killing him instantly. The accident occurred in the sparsely populated Northern Interior, a region where McLean often hunted and prospected.. As the source noted, the coach was a resident of Coquitlam but frequently traveled north for outdoor pursuits.

Four straight Presidents Cups and two Memorial Cups under McLean’s reign

From 1975 to 1978, McLean guided the New Westminster Bruins to four consecutive Western Hockey League Presidents Cup titles and back‑to‑back Memorial Cup victories in 1977 and 1978. Those championships cemented the Bruins as a powerhouse of the era, echoing the physical style of the Broad Street Bullies. Fans still recall the roar that seemed to rise from the streets of New Westminster whenever the Bruins took the ice at Queen’s Park Arena.

Mentor to NHL stars: Barry Beck, Greg Polis and more

Beyond trophies, McLean’s legacy lives in the players he shaped.. He helped launch the careers of Dallas Smith, Greg Polis, Ron Greschner and especially Barry Beck, who credited a “boat‑talk” session with McLean for turning his troubled teen years into an NHL career. former players often say they would have done anything for the coach, reflecting his blend of discipline and personal care.

Surviving a 20‑metre crevasse fall at age 77

In 2009,while prospecting for gold, McLean fell more than 20 metres into a crevasse but emerged uninjured, only to spend four days lost in the wilderness. He survived on water alone and later joked that the water was “so beautiful I’d have sold it to anyone in Vancouver.” This episode, reported by the source, illustrates the same tenacity he brought to the hockey bench.

Who will carry forward McLean’s brand of tough love?

McLean’s death leaves a void in the WHL community, which has not yet identified a successor to champion his blend of hard‑nosed coaching and personal mentorship... The source notes that while his awards—including the WHL Governors Award (2005) and BC Hockey Hall of Fame induction (2006)—recognize his impact, the question remains how future coaches will balance discipline with the caring approch he modeled.