Revealed!! Surprising facts you probably didn’t know about Craig Berube, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ head coach

Craig Berube, known for his tough playing style and no-nonsense coaching approach, has an interesting history filled with surprising facts that many hockey fans might not know. Here are some detailed and lesser-known facts about him:

1. He Was Never Drafted into the NHL

Despite playing over 1,000 games in the NHL, Berube was never drafted. Instead, he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Philadelphia Flyers in 1986. His path to the NHL wasn’t straightforward, but he made a name for himself through sheer grit and determination.

2. He Racked Up Over 3,000 Penalty Minutes

Berube was known as an enforcer, and his penalty minutes prove it. In his NHL career, he accumulated 3,149 penalty minutes, ranking him 7th all-time in NHL history. This includes fights, misconducts, and roughing penalties, solidifying his reputation as a tough guy on the ice.

3. He Played for Five NHL Teams, but Had Three Separate Stints with the Flyers

While he played for five different franchises (Philadelphia Flyers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, Washington Capitals, and New York Islanders), Berube had a unique relationship with the Flyers. He played for them in three different stints (1986–1991, 1998–1999, and 1999–2000), showing how much the team valued his presence.

4. He Was Once Suspended for Using a Racial Slur

In the 1997 season, while playing for the Washington Capitals, Berube was suspended for one game after using a racial slur against Florida Panthers forward Peter Worrell. He later apologized, and the incident is a rare blemish on his otherwise well-respected career.

5. He Won a Stanley Cup as a Head Coach After Being Hired Mid-Season

When Berube took over as head coach of the St. Louis Blues in November 2018, the team was in last place. Under his leadership, they completely turned things around, going from worst to first and winning the franchise’s first-ever Stanley Cup in 2019. Berube became the second interim coach in NHL history to win the Stanley Cup (after Larry Robinson in 2000).

6. He Has Indigenous Canadian Roots

Berube is of Métis heritage, an Indigenous people of Canada with mixed European and First Nations ancestry. He is one of the most prominent Indigenous figures in NHL history, following in the footsteps of players like Reggie Leach and Jordin Tootoo.

7. He Scored the Fastest Goal in Toronto Maple Leafs History at the Time

Though not known for his scoring ability, Berube made history with the Toronto Maple Leafs. On October 13, 1992, he scored just 10 seconds into a game against the St. Louis Blues, setting a franchise record for the fastest goal at the time.

8. He Transitioned to Coaching Immediately After Retiring

Unlike many players who take time off before getting into coaching, Berube jumped straight into a coaching career after retiring as a player in 2003. He started as an assistant coach with the Philadelphia Phantoms (AHL) and quickly worked his way up to become an NHL head coach.

9. He Was Once Called “The Grim Reaper”

Berube was known as one of the toughest enforcers of his era, but few know that he was occasionally called “The Grim Reaper” because of his intimidating presence on the ice. This nickname was more commonly associated with Stu Grimson, but Berube also earned a similar reputation.

10. He Played His Final NHL Game Against a Future Hall of Famer’s Debut

Berube’s final NHL game came on April 7, 2003, while playing for the Calgary Flames. That same game was the NHL debut of Marc-André Fleury, the future Hall of Fame goaltender. It’s a rare and unique connection between an enforcer and one of the greatest goalies of his generation.

Craig Berube’s journey from an undrafted enforcer to a Stanley Cup-winning coach is a testament to his resilience and passion for the game.

MONTREAL, CANADA – JANUARY 18: Head coach Craig Berube (L) and assistant coach Marc Savard of the Toronto Maple Leafs handle bench duties during the first period against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on January 18, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Montreal Canadiens 7-3. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

11. He Never Scored More Than 10 Goals in a Season

Despite playing in over 1,000 NHL games, Berube was never known for his scoring. His highest goal total in a single season was 9 goals during the 1991-92 season with the Calgary Flames. He finished his career with just 61 goals in 1,054 games, a testament to his role as a physical enforcer rather than a scorer.

12. He Played Against Wayne Gretzky in Gretzky’s Final NHL Game

On April 18, 1999, Berube played for the Flyers in a game against the New York Rangers, which turned out to be Wayne Gretzky’s final NHL game. While Gretzky was receiving standing ovations, Berube was still doing what he did best—being physical and aggressive on the ice.

13. He Fought Over 240 Times in His NHL Career

As one of the NHL’s premier enforcers, Berube was involved in over 240 fights during his career. He squared off against some of the most feared tough guys in NHL history, including Bob Probert, Tie Domi, Marty McSorley, and Donald Brashear.

14. He Once Took on Two Players in One Game

In a 1989 game between the Flyers and Penguins, Berube got into fights with both Jay Caufield and Paul Stanton in separate altercations. This was common for enforcers in the era, but it still highlights his fearlessness and willingness to take on multiple opponents in one game.

15. He Coached an ECHL Team Before Making the NHL Coaching Ranks

Before making it as an NHL coach, Berube spent time as the head coach of the Mississippi Sea Wolves of the ECHL in 2006-07. This was one of his first experiences leading a team and helped him develop his coaching philosophy before moving up to the AHL and NHL.

16. He Played Junior Hockey for a Team with a Funny Name

Before turning pro, Berube played junior hockey for the Kamloops Junior Oilers in the Western Hockey League (WHL). The team later changed its name to the Kamloops Blazers, which is much more recognizable today.

17. He Played Over 100 Playoff Games but Never Won a Cup as a Player

Berube played 89 NHL playoff games and another 14 in the AHL playoffs, making it to deep postseason runs, but he never won a Stanley Cup as a player. His closest opportunity came with the Washington Capitals in 1998, when they reached the Stanley Cup Final but were swept by the Detroit Red Wings.

18. He Coached the Flyers but Was Fired After Just Two Seasons

Berube’s first NHL head coaching job was with the Philadelphia Flyers from 2013-2015. Despite leading the team to the playoffs in 2014, he was fired after just two seasons. The decision was controversial, as many felt he wasn’t given enough time to develop the team. However, his coaching career took off later when he won the Stanley Cup with St. Louis.

19. He Was Almost Fired by St. Louis Before Winning the Cup

When Berube took over as the Blues’ interim head coach in November 2018, many believed he wouldn’t last long. The team was in last place, and rumors swirled that the front office was considering hiring Joel Quenneville. However, Berube turned the season around and led the team to the 2019 Stanley Cup, making history instead.

20. He Inspired the “Gloria” Celebration in St. Louis

During the Blues’ 2019 Stanley Cup run, the team adopted “Gloria” (a 1982 song by Laura Branigan) as their victory song. The tradition started after several Blues players went to a bar in Philadelphia, where Berube had previously played and coached, and heard the song playing repeatedly. They decided to use it as a rallying anthem, and it became one of the most famous traditions in NHL playoff history.

21. He Once Played a Minor League Game at 38 Years Old

In the 2002-03 season, after officially retiring from the NHL, Berube briefly came out of retirement to play one game for the Norfolk Admirals (AHL). At 38 years old, he suited up for one final game, making him one of the oldest players to appear in an AHL contest.

22. His Son, Jake Berube, Also Played Hockey

Craig Berube’s son, Jake Berube, followed in his father’s footsteps and played junior hockey. Though he never reached the NHL, he played in the North American junior leagues, keeping the Berube hockey legacy alive.

23. He’s Known as a “Players’ Coach” Despite His Tough Persona

Although Berube had a reputation as an enforcer, he has been widely praised by players for his fairness and ability to communicate. Many NHL players have said they respect him because he treats every player honestly, whether a superstar or a fourth-liner, which helped build strong team chemistry.

24. He’s One of the Few Coaches to Win a Stanley Cup as an Interim Coach

Winning a Stanley Cup as an interim coach is rare. When Berube led the Blues to the 2019 title, he became only the second interim coach in NHL history to win a Cup (after Larry Robinson in 2000). This feat proved that sometimes a coaching change mid-season can lead to immediate success.

25. He Became a U.S. Citizen in 2019

Even though Berube is Canadian, he became a U.S. citizen in 2019, the same year he won the Stanley Cup with St. Louis. He had lived in the U.S. for many years due to his NHL career and coaching jobs, and he officially became an American after passing the citizenship test.

Final Thoughts

Craig Berube has had one of the most unique and fascinating careers in hockey history. From an undrafted enforcer to a Stanley Cup-winning coach, his journey is filled with incredible moments. He’s respected by players, feared by opponents, and beloved by fans—especially in St. Louis and Philadelphia.