This Day in Hockey History – January 20, 1977 – Wilson Versus Wilson

Although the newspaper then claimed it was the “first time in the history of the National Hockey League,” January 20, 1977 actually marked the third time “two brothers coached the opposing teams.” Johnny Wilson, leading the Colorado Rockies, had already been coaching in the NHL for years, including a stint with the Detroit Red Wings. Detroit had just hired his younger brother Larry as an interim coach, and the two faced each other on opposing benches in Larry’s debut.

The Wilson brothers were both forwards in the NHL during the 1950s. They began their careers together by skating for the Red Wings and winning the 1949-50 Stanley Cup. Within a few seasons, both moved on to Chicago, where Larry’s playing career ended in 1956 after 152 games. Johnny returned to Detroit to win more championships before winding down his skating career in Toronto and New York. He had managed 580 consecutive games (of his 688 total), quite the “iron man.”

Mid-way through the 1969-70 season, Johnny Wilson entered his second NHL phase as coach of the Los Angeles Kings, having coached their AHL affiliate for two seasons. After one more season with the Springfield Kings (in which they won the Calder Cup), in 1971 Johnny returned to his roots to lead the Red Wings. Although he led them to their only winning season in seven years, they fired him in 1973 after missing the playoffs. Johnny spent two seasons coaching in the WHA before the Colorado Rockies brought him back to the NHL in 1976.

The 1976-77 season was extremely rough for the Detroit Red Wings. With attendance dwindling because the team could not seem to win, they had already gone through three interim coaches. “For a time it was rumored that Wilson’s brother, Johnny, would once again be hired to direct the Wings,” reported the Detroit Free Press. Instead, Johnny’s younger brother Larry was approached by GM Alex Delvecchio on Thursday, January 13, 1977. That weekend, Larry told the Free Press, “I’ve talked to Alex, but as of right now I’m not involved. I’m just here to visit my mother and family.” However, on Monday, January 17, a press conference was held at Olympia for the Red Wings to introduce Larry as the newest interim coach. Johnny told the press, “I congratulated him, naturally, on his appointment and I’m sure he’ll do well.”

Larry Wilson had built up a reputation as a taskmaster in his six and a half years coaching in the minors. In his first season, 1970-71, he led Providence to the AHL’s Eastern Division title. In every season, his teams usually fell below .500 but always made the playoffs. When the NHL came calling, Larry was coaching the Baltimore Clippers of the Southern Hockey League. He summarized his main strategy, “I believe in systems, systems when you’re coming out of your end, on the offense, on defense, on power plays.” Johnny commented, “I think he’s a super coach. I coached against him in previous years (in the minors) and it’s just a matter of time.” With the Red Wings, Larry understood, “My job is to get them winning. In the remaining 36 games, we have to win 21, 22 games to get into the playoffs.”

The first game Larry supervised set him against his brother Johnny’s Rockies at Olympia for just 8,175 spectators. That included Carol, the mother of the two coaches. Larry pointed out, “My mother’s out there. She’s probably crying.” 

Both of her sons had highs and lows in the game. Detroit started strong, holding the lead with just one goal until almost halfway through the third period. Johnny admitted, “They put on a lot of pressure in the first two periods.” Eddie Giacomin had a shutout going until then and “made a sensational diving save on a breakaway by Gary Croteau, but Gardner got the rebound and put it in.” The Rockies scored thrice with Paul Gardner’s goal and two assists to win the game 3-1. The Free Press snarked about Larry, “His team looked like it had a system in the first period, and in the second, too, but Wilson must not have gotten to third-period systems yet.”

The brothers spoke to the press afterwards. Larry noted, “You’re always disappointed in not winning, but I still think they played pretty well. They’re picking it up (his system). They get sloppy at times; that’s only natural … We executed, we played the body, we had some good shots. We’re just not shooting enough.” According to Johnny, “In his case, one game doesn’t make a season.” Of his own team, Johnny said, “Well, I realized the team was going to play a good game in front of him (Larry). We got some breaks.” Detroit had yet to win a game in 1977, having lost six in a row (one shy of a team record). Colorado had beaten them three times in that month.

That summer, both brothers’ time with their teams ended. Johnny had finished with a record of 20-46-14 while Larry’s 36 games with Detroit resulted in a record of 3-29-4. In June, a day after Larry had drafted his son Randy, the Red Wings released Larry. Back when they had hired him, they already had a coach in mind for the 1977-78 season, Bobby Kromm. New GM Ted Lindsay explained, “At the press conference when I took over, (Wilson) was the man I wanted. But there is a contract that’s involved here, so Bob will do the job.” Although he understood that Larry was upset, Lindsay wanted Wilson to take the head coach position with their new farm team. Larry ended up taking that job and coaching his final two seasons before dying of a heart attack (while jogging).

Meanwhile, in July 1977, Johnny took a job coaching the Pittsburgh Penguins. He had just finished coaching Team Canada in the World Cup Tournament and was talking to no less than four different NHL teams. Before he settled on Pittsburgh, he said, “All I’m trying to do is make sure I have a job for next season. … I want to get settled in a place for a couple of years and work toward a championship.” He did lead the Penguins through two playoff appearances in his three seasons with them. He returned to the minors for one final year before retiring in 1981.

Larry’s son, Ron Wilson, followed his father and uncle in skating and coaching. During the late 1970s and 1980s, Ron played defense in Toronto for three seasons and in Minnesota for four. He then spent 18 years (1989-2012) coaching primarily in the NHL with the Vancouver Canucks, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Washington Capitals, San Jose Sharks, and Toronto Maple Leafs. Clearly, the Wilson family had a passion for hockey.

Additional Sources:

• https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/clr-vs-det/1977/01/20/1976020417#game=1976020417,game_state=final
• Charlie Vincent, “Larry Wilson to be Named New Wings Coach Today?” Detroit Free Press, 17 Jan. 1977, p. 1D.
• Tom Henderson, “3d Coach of Season,” Detroit Free Press, 18 Jan. 1977, pp. 1D and 4D.
• Tom Henderson, “Wings Stay Winless In ‘77, Rockies Spoil Wilson’s Debut, 3-1,” Detroit Free Press, 21 Jan. 1977, pp. 1D and 6D.
• Tom Henderson, “Red Wings Hire ‘Mystery Coach’ Kromm,” Detroit Free Press, 17 June 1977, p. 1D.
• Dan Donovan, “Johnny Picking His Spot,” Pittsburgh Press, 8 June 1977, p. D1.