Bill LaForge

Who was Bill LaForge?

Bill LaForge was a Canadian ice hockey head coach.

LaForge began his head coaching career in 1980-81 with the Oshawa Generals. He quickly developed a reputation as a fiery leader who was not against using unorthodox motivational methods. His teams became notorious for their pugilistic skills, and, after one bench clearing brawl, LaForge received a 50 game suspension. However, that punishment was never served, as LaForge moved the next season to coach the Regina Pats; he then spent two years with the Kamloops Junior Oilers, a tenure that included a trip to the Memorial Cup.

LaForge was the head coach of the Vancouver Canucks of the NHL for 20 games during the 1984–85 season before being replaced by team general manager Harry Neale. His coaching methods, which including dividing the team into three groups and subjecting the losing squad to a series of exhausting tasks, alienated the team. After being fired, LaForge returned to the junior leagues, coaching the Hamilton Steelhawks and the Niagara Falls Thunder.

LaForge died in 2005 after an apparent heart attack.