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Punch Imlach was a hockey lifer. He started playing junior hockey in 1935 and did not leave the game until after his 3rd heart attack in 1981. In between he won four Stanley Cups as coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
He was originally hired as an assistant general manager of the Maple Leafs in 1958 at the age of 40. In November of that year Imlach was named general manager and a week later fired head coach Billy Reay and named himself the coach. In his first season as coach, the Maple Leafs made a strong late season run from last place to make the playoffs. After beating the favored Bruins in the playoffs, the Maple Leafs lost to the Canadiens in the Stanley Cup Finals. Three years later, Imlach lead the Maple Leafs to their first Stanley Cup in 11 years. He also won the cup in 1963, 1964 and 1967.
In 1970, Imlach accepted the job of coach and general manager of the expansion Buffalo Sabres. In January of 1972, after suffering his 1st heart attack, Imlach stepped down as coach, just keeping the general managers position.
Imlach suffered his 4th heart attack in November 1985 and died after his 5th in 1987 at age 69. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1984. The postcard is in beautiful condition and the signature is a 10.
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