Roger Neilson ‘56

Teaching, hockey, coaching and service to his community played a large part in Roger Neilson’s life. Following graduation from McMaster, Roger entered the teaching profession at Toronto Bayview Junior High School. He later moved to Peterborough where he combined a teaching career and a coaching career with the Peterborough Petes, the major Junior A team in the Ontario Hockey League.

Roger began his illustrious coaching career in the National Hockey League with the Toronto Maple Leafs followed by stints with the Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks, Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, Florida Panthers, Chicago Blackhawks and the Philadelphia Flyers. In his thirteen years as a head coach, Roger led his teams to the Stanley Cup play–offs eleven times.

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