Punch Imlach NHL coach
Punch Imlach: The Last Chance Coach
On my walk through Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto, I came across the grave of George “Punch” Imlach — a name forever etched in the history of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Canadian hockey.
Punch with the Quebec Aces.
Born in Toronto on March 15, 1918, Imlach attended Riverdale Collegiate Institute — a school that also counts The Honourable Lincoln Alexander, Carl Brewer, Gordon Sinclair, and Morley Callaghan among its notable alumni. He excelled in hockey, playing a full season with the Toronto Marlboros and then 11 seasons with the Quebec Aces — a team that also produced Jean Béliveau, Joe Crozier, Willie O’Ree, and Al Arbour.
Riverdale Collegiate, Toronto.
Imlach would go on to coach and manage both the Toronto Maple Leafs and the expansion 1970 Buffalo Sabres. In Buffalo, he was credited with selecting future Hall of Famer Gilbert Perreault first overall in the draft — a cornerstone decision that shaped the Sabres’ identity.
Known as a harsh taskmaster, Imlach often clashed with his players. Just ask Frank Mahovlich — “The Big M.” Still, many veterans respected Imlach deeply, as he often gave older players one final, meaningful shot at Stanley Cup glory.
Punch Imlach (Toronto Maple Leafs): Shirriff metal coins (1960-1963) from my personal collection.
One of his biggest trades came in February 1968, when he sent Mahovlich, 20-year-old Garry Unger, Pete Stemkowski, and the rights to Carl Brewer to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for Paul Henderson, Norm Ullman, and Floyd Smith.
But not all of his moves were celebrated. One of his most criticized trades involved sending 28-year-old Jim Pappin to the Chicago Black Hawks — where Pappin would become one of the team’s top scorers and a franchise favourite.
Over his coaching career, Punch Imlach amassed 423 wins, 373 losses, and 163 ties — and, most importantly, four Stanley Cup championships. In 1984, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame alongside Phil Esposito and Bernie Parent.
Punch died in Toronto on December 1, 1987. He was 69.
1918-1987
