OHL mourns the loss of Bill Purcell

The Ontario Hockey League is saddened to learn of the passing of former Oshawa Generals assistant coach and long-time builder of the game, Bill Purcell. He was 91-years-old.

A native of Charlottetown, PEI, Purcell spent five decades behind the bench, leaving a lasting impact on players at the university, major junior, senior, and minor hockey levels. He served as an assistant coach with the Oshawa Generals from 1993-97, bringing a wealth of experience and mentorship to the club during his tenure.

Prior to his time in the OHL, Purcell was instrumental in establishing the York University Yeomen men’s hockey program. As head coach from 1965-72, he built the program from the ground up, guiding the Yeomen to national acclaim and notoriety, cementing his legacy in Canadian university hockey.

Beyond the rink, Purcell served his community as a professional firefighter for the City of Toronto in the 1950s and 1960s, working out of the Dundas and Parliament Hall. His dedication to service translated to his coaching philosophy; he was known for teaching his players not just the fundamentals of hockey, but how to be good citizens. This commitment to character building spanned his entire career, as he continued to coach at the senior and midget levels well into his 70s.

Purcell’s lifetime of contributions to sport were recognized in November 2016 when he was inducted into the Prince Edward Island Sports Hall of Fame.

The OHL sends its thoughts and condolences to the Purcell family and Bill’s many friends and former players during this difficult time.