The most unbelievable man in hockey went missing (and was found alive) | Ernie "Punch" McLean - EP49

Описание

Ernie "Punch" McLean has to be the most unbelievable person in hockey history. There's so many stories he has and we could get only get through so many.You'd never know he's 93 if you were to meet Ernie. He's got a ton of energy and still sharp as ever.I'm proud to be part of The Ernie Punch McLean Legacy Foundation, as we work towards recognizing Punch with a statue potentially right outside Queen's Park Arena, where he achieved 4 straight championships for the New Westminster Bruins.The Foundation has a simple yet powerful vision: to bring lasting meaning and presence to the stories and memories that connect us. The goal goes beyond the statue itself. The Foundation aims to create a shared space that sparks conversation, remembrance, and pride within the community. Every community deserves a tangible symbol of its spirit, a place where legacy meets inspiration.Community members can support the campaign by signing the public petition and making donations at https://punchlegacy.com. The Foundation is also seeking a major corporate partner to help accelerate the project timeline.More Details:We sat down with Ernie Punch McLean, a true BC hockey legend and one of the most memorable people in Canadian junior hockey. At 93 years old, Punch is still sharp, still mining for gold up north, and has so many stories from a life that sounds like it’s from a movie.He built a junior hockey dynasty with the New Westminster Bruins, leading them to four straight championships in the Western Canada Hockey League (also known as WHL history) and winning back-to-back Memorial Cup titles in 1977 and 1978. Before that he coached the Estevan Bruins and helped set up farm teams like the Chilliwack Bruins. His teams played old school hockey with real hockey toughness, a big aggressive roster that earned them the nickname McBride Street Bullies in the Broad Street Bullies era. He emphasized positional hockey, team culture, hockey leadership, and building a strong farm team system so talent kept flowing through.Punch shares how he got the