Former Vancouver Canucks defenseman Jack McIlhargey of Edmonton, Alberta passed away on Monday at the age of 68 according to the Canadian Press. McIlhargey played 167 games with the Canucks from 1976 to 1979. He was also a defenseman for the Philadelphia Flyers from 1974 to 1977, and again in 1980, and also played with the Hartford Whalers from 1980 to 1982.
McIhargey played 393 National Hockey League regular season games and had 11 goals and 26 assists for 47 points. He was a -52, with one power play point, one shorthanded point, and 189 shots on goal.
McIhargey’s power play point and shorthanded point both came with the Canucks. His shorthanded point was an assist on a goal by Larry Carriere of Montreal, Quebec in a 4-3 Canucks win over the Minnesota North Stars on January 29, 1977. McIlhargey’s power play point came in a 3-3 Canucks tie with the Cleveland Barons. He notched an assist on a goal by Pit Martin of Noranda, Quebec on February 27, 1978.
As a player, McIhargey was also known as an enforcer. He had 1102 career penalty minutes, including 225 penalty minutes during the 1976-77 season.
After playing in the NHL, McIhargey turned to coaching. He was an assistant coach with the Canucks from 1985 to 1991, and again from 1999 to 2006. McIhargey was also the assistant coach for the Flyers from 2007 to 2010.
McIhargey was also a head coach in the International Hockey League and American Hockey League. He was with the Milwaukee Admirals from 1991 to 1992, the Hamilton Canucks from 1992 to 1994, and with the Syracuse Crunch from 1994 to 1999.
