BOSTON — Tom McVie, who coached the Winnipeg Jets to the 1979 World Hockey Association championship over Wayne Gretzky’s Edmonton Oilers in the final year before the franchises were absorbed into the NHL, has died. He was 89.

FILE - Winnipeg Jets alumni coach Tom McVie picks Teemu Selanne (13) to take the penalty shot as Ab McDonald listens, in against the Edmonton Oilers during the first period of the NHL Heritage Classic alumni game, Oct. 22, 2016, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. (John Woods/The Canadian Press via AP, File) AP

Tom McVie, who coached the Winnipeg Jets to the 1979 World Hockey Association championship over Wayne Gretzky’s Edmonton Oilers in the final year before the franchises were absorbed into the NHL, has

Just about an hour after the Utica Comets won their game on Monday against the Syracuse Crunch, they found out a piece of their history was gone.

BOSTON – I’ve said it and wrote it time and again about Tom McVie – he was the best storyteller in the hockey world. It’s not even close. You mention his name to anyone who knew him and immediately that person would attempt to tell a story and imitate McVie’s scratchy, deep voice. McVie passed away Sunday night. He was 89.

Tom McVie, who coached the Winnipeg Jets to the 1979 World Hockey Association championship before moving on to a head-coaching career in the NHL with the Washington Capitals and New Jersey Devils, died at the age of 89.

McVie made his NHL head coaching debut when he succeeded Hall of Famer Milt Schmidt in Washington on New Year’s Eve in 1975, but he never finished higher than fourth before heading to the WHA.