IMAGE INFORMATION
EditHarold Richardson "Hal" Laycoe - Born June 23, 1922 in Sutherland, Saskatchewan - Died April 29, 1998 in Langley, British Columbia was a Canadian ice Hockey defenceman, coach, scout and general manager.
- Lester Patrick Cup Champion 1961, 1965 with Portland Buckaroos (coach), 1970 with Vancouver Canucks (coach).
- Stanley Cup Champion 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, with New York Islanders (scout).
- Prince of Wales Trophy Champion 1982, 1983, 1984 with New York Islanders (scout).
Laycoe made his NHL debut with New York Rangers on January 16, 1946 vs Boston Bruins at Boston Garden in a 3-2 Boston win.
Laycoe scored his 1st NHL goal vs Harry Lumley of Detroit Red Wings at 19:53 of 3rd period on December 28, 1946 at Detroit Olympia in a 2-2 tie. His goal tied the game.
Laycoe played in 530 regular season NHL games, scoring 25 goals (5 GWG), 77 assists with 290 penalty minutes and 40 NHL playoff games, scoring 2 goals, 5 assists with 39 penalty minutes.
Laycoe turned to coaching and managing after retiring as a player, first in the Western Hockey League with New Westminster Royals in the 1956-57 WHL season, reaching the finals in his 1st season, then again in 1960 behind the bench of the Victoria Cougars.
Laycoe would join the Portland Buckaroos organization, becoming their 1st coach and general manager for the 1960-61 season and winning the 1961 Lester Patrick Cup in their 1st year.
Laycoe would guide the Portland Buckaroos for 9 seasons, also winning the championship in 1965.
The NHL Los Angeles Kings signed Laycoe as their coach for the 1969-70 season, but after winning just 5 games in his first 24 games, he was fired.
The Vancouver Canucks were getting ready to join the NHL, playing a final WHL season in 1969-70 and hired Laycoe late in the season as their coach, and he guided them to the 1970 Lester Patrick Cup championship.
Laycoe would become the1st coach of NHL Vancouver Canucks.
Laycoe would stay on in Vancouver, until they fired him in January, 1974.
Hal Laycoe was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1984.
Hal Laycoe was inducted into Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame in 1986.