Max McNab
Encyclopedia
Maxwell Douglas McNab was a Canadian ice hockey
player, coach
, and NHL
general manager. He was born in Watson, Saskatchewan
. McNabs Island
is Nova Scotia is named in honour of McNabs.
of the National Hockey League
in 1947. He would play on and off with the Red Wings until 1951, playing on the team that won the Stanley Cup
in 1950. He played for the Indianapolis Capitols of the American Hockey League
in 1950–51. Before the 1951–52 season, he was traded by the Red Wings to the Chicago Black Hawks
, but never played for the team. Back surgery kept him out of action in 1951–52 and McNab then joined the New Westminster Royals
of the Western Hockey League
, where he played for seven seasons, retiring in 1959. He was voted league MVP in 1955, scoring 32 goals and 81 points.
and in 1966 was hired as coach and general manager of the San Diego Gulls. He rose in the front office to vice-president by 1971. In 1974 he was named president of the Central Hockey League. Although he would only remain with the CHL for a year, a trophy would be named in his honor, and would be awarded to the most valuable player in the league's playoffs.
Near the end of 1975, he joined the NHL as general manager of the Washington Capitals
, succeeding Milt Schmidt
. McNab remained in that job until 1982. Under his watch, the team drafted players such as Rick Green
, Ryan Walter
, Mike Gartner
, and Bobby Carpenter.
Midway through the 1983–84 season, McNab joined the New Jersey Devils
as vice-president and general manager. He would remain their general manager until 1987, and then retired from the team and hockey in the 1990s. During his tenure as Devils' GM, players such as Chris Terreri
, Kirk Muller
, Sean Burke
, and Eric Weinrich
would be drafted.
In 1998, McNab was recognized for his contribution to ice hockey in the United States by the NHL and USA Hockey
as co-recipient of the Lester Patrick Trophy
.
, and son David McNab
is Assistant General Manager with the Anaheim Ducks
.
McNab died on September 2, 2007 at the age of 83.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player, coach
Coach (ice hockey)
Coach in ice hockey is the person responsible for directing the team during games and practices, prepares strategy and decides which players will participate in games....
, and NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
general manager. He was born in Watson, Saskatchewan
Watson, Saskatchewan
-History:Settlers began arriving in the early 1900s, many of them German American Catholics. The first post office in the area was established on April 1, 1904 and named named Vossen after its postmaster, Frank J. Vossen Jr. It was changed to Watson on May 1, 1906, in advance of the village's...
. McNabs Island
McNabs Island
McNabs Island is the largest island in Halifax Harbour located in Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada. It played a major role in defending Halifax Harbour and is now a provincial park...
is Nova Scotia is named in honour of McNabs.
Playing career
After playing junior hockey in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, McNab played on minor professional teams in the 1946–47 season before being called up to the Detroit Red WingsDetroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
in 1947. He would play on and off with the Red Wings until 1951, playing on the team that won the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
in 1950. He played for the Indianapolis Capitols of the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
in 1950–51. Before the 1951–52 season, he was traded by the Red Wings to the Chicago Black Hawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
, but never played for the team. Back surgery kept him out of action in 1951–52 and McNab then joined the New Westminster Royals
New Westminster Royals
The New Westminster Royals was the name of several professional and junior ice hockey teams based in New Westminster, British Columbia.The first team played from 1912-1914 in the Pacific Coast Hockey Association which was established in 1911....
of the Western Hockey League
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
, where he played for seven seasons, retiring in 1959. He was voted league MVP in 1955, scoring 32 goals and 81 points.
Coaching and managing
In 1961, McNab became general manager and coach of the San Francisco Seals of the WHL. He was then coach of the WHL's Vancouver CanucksVancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
and in 1966 was hired as coach and general manager of the San Diego Gulls. He rose in the front office to vice-president by 1971. In 1974 he was named president of the Central Hockey League. Although he would only remain with the CHL for a year, a trophy would be named in his honor, and would be awarded to the most valuable player in the league's playoffs.
Near the end of 1975, he joined the NHL as general manager of the Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
, succeeding Milt Schmidt
Milt Schmidt
Milton Conrad Schmidt is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre, coach and general manager, mostly for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League. He is an Honoured Member of the Hockey Hall of Fame.-Early years:...
. McNab remained in that job until 1982. Under his watch, the team drafted players such as Rick Green
Rick Green (ice hockey)
Richard Douglas Green is a former ice hockey defenceman.Green was drafted by the Washington Capitals in the 1976 NHL Amateur Draft, First Overall. He was also drafted by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1976 WHA Amateur Draft, First Round, Tenth Overall...
, Ryan Walter
Ryan Walter
Ryan William Walter is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League...
, Mike Gartner
Mike Gartner
Michael Alfred Gartner is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played 19 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Washington Capitals, Minnesota North Stars, New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Phoenix Coyotes...
, and Bobby Carpenter.
Midway through the 1983–84 season, McNab joined the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
as vice-president and general manager. He would remain their general manager until 1987, and then retired from the team and hockey in the 1990s. During his tenure as Devils' GM, players such as Chris Terreri
Chris Terreri
Christopher Arnold Terreri is an American former goaltender for several NHL teams, most notably for the New Jersey Devils, with whom he played for twelve seasons....
, Kirk Muller
Kirk Muller
Kirk Christopher Muller is a retired professional ice hockey centre who played in the National Hockey League for 19 seasons from 1984–85 until 2002–03...
, Sean Burke
Sean Burke
Sean Burke is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for the New Jersey Devils, Hartford Whalers, Carolina Hurricanes, Vancouver Canucks, Philadelphia Flyers, Florida Panthers, Phoenix Coyotes, Tampa Bay Lightning and Los Angeles...
, and Eric Weinrich
Eric Weinrich
Eric John Weinrich is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who played 17 seasons in the National Hockey League with the New Jersey Devils, Hartford Whalers, Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, St. Louis Blues and Vancouver Canucks...
would be drafted.
In 1998, McNab was recognized for his contribution to ice hockey in the United States by the NHL and USA Hockey
USA Hockey
USA Hockey is recognized by the International Olympic Committee and the United States Olympic Committee as the governing body for amateur ice hockey in the United States and is a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation. The organization is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and has...
as co-recipient of the Lester Patrick Trophy
Lester Patrick Trophy
The Lester Patrick Trophy has been presented by the National Hockey League and USA Hockey since 1966 to honor a recipient's contribution to ice hockey in the United States. It is considered a non-NHL trophy because it may be awarded to players, coaches, officials, and other personnel outside the NHL...
.
Family
His son Peter McNab is a former NHL player and is currently a television color analyst for the Colorado AvalancheColorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
, and son David McNab
David McNab
David McNab is the Assistant General Manager of the Anaheim Ducks of the NHL and was previously a scout for the Hartford Whalers, Washington Capitals, and New York Rangers. His brother Peter played in the NHL, while his father Max was the general manager of the New Jersey Devils and Washington...
is Assistant General Manager with the Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
.
McNab died on September 2, 2007 at the age of 83.