Larry Popein (Canadian ice hockey centre and coach)

Larry "Pope" Popein (1930–2020) was a Canadian ice hockey centre who played in the NHL with the New York Rangers and Oakland Seals and later served as interim head coach of the Rangers.

Overview

Lawrence Thomas "Larry" Popein (August 11, 1930 – February 8, 2020), commonly known by the nickname "Pope", was a Canadian professional ice hockey figure who appeared at the highest levels of the sport as both a player and coach. Best known for his role as a centre, Popein reached the National Hockey League while also spending substantial time in other competitive leagues. His career included playing for the New York Rangers and the Oakland Seals, and he later took on coaching responsibilities, including a temporary promotion to bench boss of the Rangers.

Playing career and teams

Popein's playing career combined time in junior, senior and professional circuits. His path reflects the mid-20th-century pattern of Canadian players progressing through local and regional teams before, or alongside, NHL opportunities. Notable teams associated with his on-ice career include:

New York Rangers (NHL) — one of the franchises for which he played at the major-league level.
Vancouver Canucks — prior to the NHL era of that club, the Vancouver team provided a strong regional professional environment.
Moose Jaw Canucks — a junior-level team that served as an early stop on his development path.
Oakland Seals (NHL) — another NHL club with which Popein was associated during his playing career.

Role and playing style

As a centre, Popein occupied a position that traditionally balanced offensive playmaking and defensive responsibility. Centres are expected to take faceoffs, support both wingers, and assist in transitioning between defense and attack. While individual statistics are not the focus here, Popein's movement into coaching suggests a player regarded for his hockey sense and leadership qualities, traits commonly developed by players in the centre position.

Coaching and later involvement

After his time as a player, Popein moved into coaching and leadership roles. Most notably, he served as the interim head coach of the New York Rangers during the 1973–74 season, a period in which organizations sometimes turned to former players or staff to fill temporary vacancies behind the bench. His experience as both a player and coach illustrates a lifelong engagement with the sport beyond on-ice performance.

Personal background and legacy

Born in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, Popein came from a region known for producing many hockey players and contributing to Canada's hockey culture. His career path — from junior teams to professional clubs and into coaching — is representative of several generations of Canadian players who combined local roots with service at the national professional level. He died on February 8, 2020, at the age of 89, leaving a record of steady involvement in hockey over many decades.

Notable facts and context

Popein's nickname, "Pope", was widely used in contemporary accounts and by those who knew him in hockey circles. Player and coach nicknames often became shorthand for recognition in sport histories.
The teams with which he was associated reflect different eras and competitions within North American hockey — from regional professional leagues to the National Hockey League.
His birthplace and early teams, such as the Moose Jaw Canucks, link him to the strong junior and community hockey traditions of Saskatchewan. For regional context, see references to Yorkton, Saskatchewan.

For further reading about the clubs and leagues mentioned, consult historical sources on the New York Rangers, the Vancouver Canucks (pre-NHL era), and the centre position in hockey. Additional archival material and team histories can illuminate the specific seasons and roles Popein held during his career.