Hal Laycoe

Harold Richardson Laycoe (1922–1998) was a Canadian defenceman who played in the NHL from 1945 to 1956 with the New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens, and Boston Bruins. He grew up in Sutherland, Saskatchewan, and played junior hockey in Saskatoon before his professional career was interrupted by World War II, during which he served in the Royal Canadian Navy. Known for physical play and notable for wearing eyeglasses during games, Laycoe moved into coaching after his playing days, working in the Western Hockey League before serving as the inaugural head coach of the Vancouver Canucks in 1970.