In Memoriam Jack McIlhargey

John Cecil “Jack” McIlhargey (born March 7, 1952-July 19, 2020) was a professional ice hockey defenseman in the National Hockey League who played eight seasons in the big leagues for the Philadelphia Flyers, Vancouver Canucks and Hartford Whalers.

Playing Career

McIlhargey made his NHL debut in 1974 playing for the Philadelphia Flyers, he played two games that season before being sent back down to play in the AHL for the Richmond Robins. He would be up and down between the two leagues from 1974-1976. The 1976-1977 season began in Philadelphia where he would play 40 games for the Flyers before being traded to the Vancouver Canucks where he played for them until 24 games into the 1979-1980 season before being traded back to the Flyers where he would play until early in the 1980-1981 season. Jack finished his professional playing career with the Hartford Whalers at the conclusion of the 1981-1982 season.

After Playing Career

In addition to playing for the Vancouver Canucks McIlhargey returned to the organization after his playing days. He assumed the head coaching position for Vancouver’s minor league affiliate in Milwaukee for eight years. He was also the first-ever head coach in the history of the Syracuse Crunch. After gaining experience as a head coach in the minors, McIlhargey accepted the assistant coaching position for the Vancouver Canucks On June 18, 1999. Also in 1999, Jack was honored as one of the Canucks All-Time greatest. On June 22, 2006, he was fired by new head coach Alain Vigneault, later on, that year Jack was back working for the Canucks as a Pro Scout.

Jack McIlhargey made a return to the Flyers organization once more where he and head coach John Stevens would eventually be fired on December 4, 2009.

In 2011, McIlhargey was inducted into the British Columbia Hockey Hall of Fame.

I remember during a TSN broadcast where the commentators were talking about players that had unpredictable tempers when then panelist Craig MacTavish commented that when he played in the NHL Jack McIlhargey was known as a really nice guy, friendly easy-going could make you laugh, but “If you flipped the switch” he could become extremely angry and you better watch out.

Jack McIlhargey passed away last night on July 19, 2020, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Jack was 68 years old. God Bless and Rest in Peace.