TORONTO – Former NHL head coach John Brophy has died. He was 83.
The ECHL, where Brophy coached for 13 seasons, said in a statement Monday the native of Antigonish, N.S., died after a lengthy illness.
Brophy took over head coaching duties of the Maple Leafs for the 1986-87 season, leading Toronto into the second round of the playoffs. He was fired 33 games into the 1988-89 season after the Leafs got off to an 11-20-2 start.
“Sad to hear on the passing of John Brophy – Maple Leafs a coach who was demanding, intense, a tad out there & passionate,” former Leafs centre Ed Olczyk posted on Twitter.
Brophy signed on as head coach of the ECHL’s Hampton Roads Admirals for the 1989-90 season. He led the Admirals to three league titles over 11 seasons.
He ended his ECHL coaching career with two years behind the bench of the Wheeling Nailers, retiring after the 2002-03 season.
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