Dick Irvin Jr. (II) Legendary player/coach in the NHL
James “Dick” Irvin Jr.: Hockey Legend and Master Coach
On a recent walk through Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto, I came across the grave of James “Dick” Irvin Jr., one of hockey’s all-time greats — both as a player and a coach.
Born in Hamilton, Ontario, in 1892, Dick Irvin began his NHL playing career in 1916 and skated until 1928. He was one of the premier players of his era, earning induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a player in 1958. Beyond hockey, he was a talented athlete who also played semi-pro baseball with the Winnipeg Dominion Express.
Irvin is perhaps best remembered as a masterful coach, leading three storied NHL teams: the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Chicago Black Hawks. His 692 regular-season coaching wins rank him among the all-time leaders, surpassed by only 11 coaches in NHL history.
Dick Irvin Jr. (II) with Conn Smythe.
His coaching success began immediately in 1931, when he led the newly formed Maple Leafs at the brand-new Maple Leaf Gardens to a Stanley Cup victory in his very first season behind the bench. He took Toronto to the finals six more times but was unable to capture another Cup with the Leafs. However, he would go on to win three more Stanley Cups with Montreal, solidifying his legacy as a championship-winning coach.
A quick side note — Maple Leaf Gardens, often called “The Cathedral,” was built in just five months and two weeks at a cost of C$1.5 million — roughly the price of an average semi-detached home in Toronto today.
Dick Irvin’s impact on hockey continued through his family. His son, Dick Irvin III, became a well-known Canadian sports broadcaster, lending his voice to many memorable moments on Hockey Night in Canada.
James “Dick” Irvin Jr. passed away in Montreal on May 16, 1957, at the age of 64. His legacy, both on and off the ice, remains an enduring part of Canada’s hockey heritage.
1892-1957
