Max McNab

Maxwell Douglas McNab
Born	(1924-06-21) 21 June 1924 Saskatchewan, Canada
Died	2 September 2007(2007-09-02) (aged 83)
Occupation(s)	Ice hockey player, coach, general manager
Years active	1945–1959 (player), 1961–1990s (coach and executive)
Known for	NHL player with Detroit Red Wings, Stanley Cup champion (1950); GM of Washington Capitals and New Jersey Devils; President of Central Hockey League; Lester Patrick Trophy recipient

Maxwell Douglas McNab (June 21, 1924 – September 2, 2007) was a Canadian professional ice hockey figure who excelled as a player, coach, and NHL general manager. His NHL playing tenure with the Detroit Red Wings spanned from 1947 to 1951, highlighted by a Stanley Cup victory in 1950. Outside the NHL, he competed in various minor leagues from 1945 until his retirement in 1959.

In his executive career, McNab held general manager positions with both the Washington Capitals and New Jersey Devils between 1976 and 1987. He also served as president of the Central Hockey League (CHL), which honored him by naming its playoff MVP award the Max McNab Trophy. His contributions to hockey in the United States were recognized with the Lester Patrick Trophy in 1998.

Playing career

Following his junior hockey years in Saskatoon, McNab played for the Omaha Knights of the USHL from 1946 to 1948 before joining the Detroit Red Wings in 1947. He appeared sporadically for Detroit through 1951, centering a line alongside Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay during their Stanley Cup-winning campaign in 1950. During the 1950–51 season, he also suited up for the Indianapolis Capitols in the AHL. Although traded to the Chicago Black Hawks prior to the 1951–52 season, back surgery prevented him from playing for them. Subsequently, he spent seven seasons with the New Westminster Royals of the WHL until retiring in 1959. McNab earned WHL MVP honors in 1955 after recording 32 goals and totaling 81 points.

Coaching and managing

McNab transitioned into management and coaching in 1961 when he became both general manager and head coach of the San Francisco Seals (WHL). He later coached the Vancouver Canucks (WHL) and took on dual roles as coach and GM for the San Diego Gulls by 1966. Advancing within hockey administration, he was promoted to vice-president by 1971 and appointed CHL president in 1974. Though his presidency lasted only one year, the league’s playoff MVP award was named after him as a tribute.

In late 1975, McNab entered the NHL executive ranks as general manager of the Washington Capitals, succeeding Milt Schmidt. He remained at the helm until 1982, overseeing key drafts that included Rick Green, Ryan Walter, Mike Gartner, and Bobby Carpenter.

Partway through the 1983–84 season, McNab assumed duties as vice-president and GM of the New Jersey Devils, a position he held until 1987 before retiring during the early 1990s. Notable draft picks during his leadership included Chris Terreri, Kirk Muller, Sean Burke, and Eric Weinrich.

For his significant influence on hockey development within the United States, McNab was honored with a co-recipient Lester Patrick Trophy in 1998.

Family

Among McNab’s three sons, two followed careers connected to hockey. Peter McNab enjoyed a 14-season NHL career with an impressive tally of 363 goals and 813 points before establishing himself as a television color analyst. David McNab devoted 43 years as a scout and executive across four NHL organizations, concluding his career in May 2021 as senior vice president of hockey operations for the Anaheim Ducks, where he served for 28 years starting from the franchise’s inaugural season.

The McNab family name is commemorated through McNabs Island in Nova Scotia, reflecting their status as settlers dating back to the 1780s.

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1942–43	Saskatoon Quakers	N-SJHL		4	7	8	15	6		2	1	2	3	0
1945–46	Regina Capitals	WCSHL		5	8	1	9	0		—	—	—	—	—
1946–47	Omaha Knights	USHL		37	20	19	39	15		11	6	6	12	0
1946–47	Detroit Metal Mouldings	IHL		3	4	2	6	6		—	—	—	—	—
1946–47	Indianapolis Capitals	AHL		6	0	0	0	2		—	—	—	—	—
1947–48	Omaha Knights	USHL		44	44	32	76	10		3	3	2	5	0
1947–48	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		12	2	2	4	2		3	0	0	0	2
1948–49	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		51	10	13	23	14		10	1	0	1	2
1949–50	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		65	4	4	8	8		10	0	0	0	0
1950–51	Indianapolis Capitals	AHL		70	36	48	84	36		3	1	2	3	2
1950–51	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		— | — | — | —	— | — | — | —
1951–52	New Westminster Royals	PCHL		— | — | — | —	— | — | — | —
1952–53	New Westminster Royals	WHL		68	28	32	60	4		7	2	0	2	0
1953–54	New Westminster Royals	WHL		67	22	39	61	8		6	2	1	3	2
1954–55	New Westminster Royals	WHL		70	32	49	81	4		—	—	—	—	—
1955–56	New Westminster Royals	WHL		70	29	32	61	19		4	1	1	2	0
1956–57	New Westminster Royals	WHL		56	19	28	47	2		13	4	8	12	4
1957–58	New Westminster Royals	WHL		67	24	50	74	14		4	0	1	1	—|
1958–59	New Westminster Royals	WHL		65	26	32	58	4
WHL totals				463	180	262	442	55		34	9	11	20	6
NHL totals				128	16	19	35	24		25	1	0	1	4

External links

• Former Devils GM Passes Away
• Summerlin Resident Reunited with Stanley Cup
• Image of 1950 Stanley Cup Plaque