Nailers Mourn Passing of Former Coach John Brophy
May 23, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
WHEELING, WV - The Wheeling Nailers have joined the ECHL and its member teams in mourning the loss of former head coach John Brophy. The legendary bench boss passed away on Monday morning at age 83.
John Brophy was a pioneer for the ECHL, spending 13 seasons in the league as a head coach. 11 of those years came with the Hampton Roads Admirals, as he won three championships, while making the playoffs in all 11 seasons in Virginia. In the summer of 2001, John signed on to become the head coach of the Nailers, and he promptly guided his new squad to a 36-32-4 record. His second and final season behind the bench in Wheeling didn't end with the greatest of records, but his two years with the Nailers left fans and media with memories that will last for a lifetime.
Historically, Brophy ranks third in the ECHL with 480 career victories and fourth with 882 games coached. His playoff successes are second to none, as his 55 career wins, 11 appearances, and three championships are all league records. For his achievements, the League's Coach of the Year award was named in his honor in 2003, and he was part of the second inductee class into the ECHL Hall of Fame in 2009.
Prior to a long and successful run as a coach, the Halifax, Nova Scotia native enjoyed a lengthy playing career in the Eastern Hockey League, which operated from 1954-73. Brophy appeared in 1,138 career games, amassing 34 goals, 300 assists, and 334 points. One area that John preached for his teams was toughness, and his play also reflected that, as he racked up a league record 3,822 career penalty minutes. In addition to Wheeling and Hampton Roads, Brophy's coaching career also featured time in the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the AHL with the Nova Scotia Voyageurs, St. Catharines Saints, and Hampton Gulls, as well as the CHL and WHA with the Birmingham Bulls.
The Nailers extend their sympathies to the Brophy family, and thank John for all that he did for the Wheeling community, as well as for the ECHL.
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