Former 3-time Windsor Spitfires coach and bench boss of Red Wings has died

Longtime hockey coach Wayne Maxner has passed away at age 80.

Two of his former teams, the Windsor Spitfires and the London Knights of the OHL, confirmed the news on Thursday.

"Very sad indeed," Steve Bell, a Spitfires radio personality, said in a social media post.

"He was a Windsor legend. RIP Max."

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He coached the Spitfires on three separate occasions and served as the club's general manager.

"Our thoughts are with Wayne's family and friends, and all players he had a privilege coaching and mentoring,"a team statement said.

"Wayne was truly a legend."

Aside from stints behind the bench in Windsor, Detroit and other places, Maxner coached the NHL's Boston Bruins.

The Halifax native's playing career lasted from 1961-1973, while his coaching career spanned more than 20 years.