Tom Webster

Thomas Ronald Webster (October 4, 1948 – April 10, 2020) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player and coach. Originally selected by the Boston Bruins in the 1966 NHL entry draft, Webster played 102 National Hockey League games with the Bruins and the Detroit Red Wings. He scored 30 goals for the Red Wings during the 1970-71 season, but managed only 3 goals in 12 games the following year. His most productive work came in the World Hockey Association, where he played 352 games for the New England Whalers and scored 40 or more goals three times. Spinal fusion surgery complicated the end of his career, and he retired in 1981 at the age of 31.

Webster turned to coaching after his playing days, working with teams at various levels of hockey. His first head coaching job came in 1986, when he took over the New York Rangers following the firing of Ted Sator. After only five games, he fell ill with what was later diagnosed as an inner-ear infection that left him unable to fly. He returned to coach home games on January 5, while general manager Phil Esposito split coaching duties with assistants Eddie Giacomin and Wayne Cashman for road games.