Syracuse, N.Y. -- Scott Walker played 829 games in the NHL, an impressive accomplishment built on the backs of many people who helped develop him as a player.
When Walker makes a list of the people most responsible for his playing career, he starts with his father. Then, right after that, comes Jack McIlhargey.
McIlhargey was Walker’s AHL coach in Hamilton and Syracuse. Walker credited McIhargey’s uncanny ability to balance gruffness, motivation, humor and instruction for shaping him into an NHLer.
Walker entered the pro game as a speedy but undersized defenseman who became a Crunch fan-favorite with his fearless style. McIlhargey encouraged Walker to develop his offensive instincts, a push that turned Walker into a forward in the NHL.
“I would not have played any NHL hockey games without Jack McIlhargey,” said Walker, now a special assistant to the general manager for the Arizona Coyotes. “He was just the person you wanted to go through the wall for. He was that fine line between hard and thoughtful. He might not have been the perfect coach for everybody. But he was the perfect coach for me. This guy will always be a legend.”
McIlhargey was the first coach in the history of the Syracuse Crunch, running the team from 1994-95 to 1998-99. He died last weekend at the age of 68.
Those who played for McIlhargey describe him in many ways, but nuance is the over-arching theme that emerges. He was still physically imposing from his days with Philadelphia’s Broad Street Bullies, and had a beady stare that could snap a hockey stick in half. He also was warm and witty, invested in making his players better and building the types of personal relationships off the ice that made them feel comfortable enough to do things like trick him into a hangover.
Tuesday, Walker and a handful of other players from the franchise’s early days shared their memories of McIlhargey.
Forward Brian Loney
“I guess the thing that pops to mind is that he was a very intimidating looking man. But he was a player’s coach. He was demanding. You knew where you stood with him. It was a learning league. He never berated you in front of the other players. He let you make mistakes. He worked with you.
“He wouldn’t like his players getting cheap-shotted, and he’d let the other coaches know. There might have even been a couple of instances of him trying to get to the other coach (on the bench). He was an old-school coach.”
Forward Dane Jackson
Jackson was the first captain of the Crunch, in 1994-95. But before he was an established pro Jackson played for McIlhargey in Hamilton. Jackson remembered being a healthy scratch for a few games and asking McIlhargey what he needed to do to work his way back into the lineup.
“I went in, said ‘I want to improve. What do I have to do?‘‘' Jackson recalled. “There wasn’t a lot of video back then. He told you what kind of player you had to be. He respected hard work and commitment. If you give him that, you put a lot of money in the bank for him.
“You always saw the steely exterior, and the stare. Once you did get to know him, he was a funny guy. He was an engaging guy, once you earned his trust. There was a smartness to him, a charisma to him.”
Goalie Mike Fountain
“The first thing I’ll say about Jack is Jack wasn’t the biggest Xs and Os coach. But he had that personality you wanted to play for. Everybody bought into Jack. It was because of the presence he brought. He was a pro.
“Every now and then Jack would be at the front of the bus. He might have had a cooler of beer at his feet. We’d throw on the old Jack Mac fight tape from Philadelphia. Guys would be laughing and loving it. During that fight, he had that killer fire in his eye. Some guys are screamers (as coaches). Jack was great with one-liners on the bench. He was approachable, I would say he’s a player’s coach. But there were times he’d buckle down, get serious.”
Forward/enforcer John Badduke
“My career, Jack gave me a chance in Hamilton. I was this farm boy and not really going anywhere at that time and got called up (from the ECHL). Right from day one, the first two weeks in Hamilton, actually, Jack and I hit it off.
“I’ll never forget at the start of the game, (McIlhargey said) ‘I have a surprise for you.' I go, ‘What’s that?' He goes, I’m pretty sure we’ll find out.' I got into a fight. That was the first time they play “Big Bad John.” That carried on (to Syracuse). That was Jack’s doing. As long as you worked hard and showed up, you we’re good with Jack.”
Badduke also recalled a team Christmas party in Syracuse when a few players convinced McIlhargey to do shots. What the coach didn’t know was that while he was tossing back tequila, the players convinced the waitress to bring them water.
“The next day in practice, Jack kind of sat in the corner and leaned on his stick,” McIlhargey said.
Defenseman/forward Scott Walker
“I remember when I got sent down (from Vancouver at the end of the 1995-96 season), him calling me when I got down. ‘(He said) you can mope around and sulk for a day, but once you get back to the rink put that smile back on your face. To me, I honestly believed he cared more about making players into NHL hockey players than his own stats.
“He could have fun, too. There were days you thought you were were going to get blasted. Then he’d come in with that burly laugh. He knew the temperature of the room. When you see him (later in life), he would just sit down and tell stories, shoot the (bull) with you.”
Defenseman Brent Sopel
“He taught me about the game of hockey on and off the ice. He was on me to be better. He was a fun-loving guy. You never knew what he was going to say, with that mustache. He was a great guy.”
Lindsay Kramer is a reporter for the Syracuse Post-Standard and syracuse.com. Got a comment or idea for a story? He can be reached via email at LKramer@Syracuse.com.