John McLellan NHL Player, Coach and Assistant GM

A Quiet Visit with John McLellan

On a recent walk through Pine Hills Cemetery in Toronto, puck in hand, I came across the grave of a true Toronto Maple Leafs loyalist: John McLellan.

John only had a “cup of coffee” in the NHL. During the 1951–52 season, he was called up from the minors to play two games for the Maple Leafs. Those would be the only NHL games of his playing career.

McLellan (#15) had a successful career with the Pittsburgh Hornets (Leafs AHL affiliate) and won the Calder Cup in 1952.

But John’s real impact came behind the bench. After hanging up his skates, he got his shot at coaching in the NHL when general manager Jim Gregory fired Punch Imlach and named John as head coach. McLellan would lead the Leafs for four seasons, and in 1971, he was named NHL Coach of the Year.

Following his coaching stint, he remained with the organization as Assistant General Manager. In 1977, when Punch Imlach—then with the Buffalo Sabres—offered him the head coaching job there, John declined.

Just two years later, in 1979, he passed away suddenly from a heart attack while raking leaves at home. He was only 51.