Legendary Tales from the Bench: Ernie “Punch” McLean on Coaching, Chaos, and the Birth of the WHL

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In this historic and wildly entertaining episode, Pete Fry sits down with the one and only Ernie “Punch” McLean—a two-time Memorial Cup champion, iconic junior hockey coach, and foundational figure in the creation of the Western Hockey League. From outsmarting referees with water bottles to putting a goon in net for a penalty shot, Punch shares his unfiltered, unbelievable, and hilarious behind-the-scenes stories from decades in the game.

You’ll hear:

• The wild “water bottle trick” that changed a playoff game
• How he hypnotized a rival fan to cheer for his team
• The time he went to jail after a playoff win
• His near-death plane crash survival story
• Coaching a young Wayne Gretzky at the first-ever World Juniors
• His secret to building winning teams and why he was the first to coach with four lines

This is hockey history told like you’ve never heard it before—with grit, heart, and a ton of laughs. Ernie Punch McLean is a true original, and this episode is a must-listen for anyone who loves the soul of the sport.

👉 Listen now and discover why they call him a living legend.

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