Ernie “Punch” McLean, coached 16 seasons in the WHL with New Westminster and Estevan Bruins. After the 1970/71 season, McLean and his partner Bill Shinske moved the Bruins from Saskatchewan to New Westminster.

New Westminster under McLean’s coaching, was the WHL Champions for 4 consecutive seasons and won two Memorial Cups in 1977 and 1978.

He is second all-time in WHL number of games coached with 1,067. He was Coach of the Year in 1975 and was the recipient of the WHL Governors Award in 2004.