Bryan Watson

Bryan Joseph Watson (November 14, 1942 – July 8, 2021) was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League. Born in Bancroft, Ontario, where his father worked for the county and his mother was a housewife, Watson moved to Peterborough, Ontario, at the age of 13 to live with his grandparents and broaden his sporting opportunities. He played junior hockey with the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey Association from 1960 to 1963 under head coach Scotty Bowman.

Watson signed with the Montreal Canadiens and made his NHL debut in the 1963–64 season, appearing in 39 regular-season games and six games in the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Over a career spanning 1963 to 1979, he played for the Montreal Canadiens, Detroit Red Wings, Oakland Seals, Pittsburgh Penguins, St. Louis Blues, and Washington Capitals. He also played briefly in the World Hockey Association with the Cincinnati Stingers.

After his playing career, Watson served as head coach of the Edmonton Oilers during the 1980–81 NHL season. He died on July 8, 2021.