Tom Watt (born June 17, 1935) is a professional ice hockey scout for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). Watt previously served as a coach in the NHL for 11 seasons, including seven as a head coach, and won the Jack Adams Award with the original Winnipeg Jets organization in 1981–82.
Early career In 1964 Watt became the head of men's phys-ed at Monarch Park Secondary School in Toronto.
In 1965, he began a highly-successful 15-season stint as head coach at the University of Toronto of the CIAU (Canadian Inter-University Athletic Union), where he had also played during his undergraduate studies. Under Watt's guidance, the University of Toronto's Varsity Blues men's ice hockey team hockey teams captured 11 conference titles and nine CIAU championships.
Returning in 1984–1985 between his NHL tenures in Winnipeg and Vancouver, he replaced NHL-bound Mike Keenan, and was later honoured by Ontario Universities Athletics in 1992.
Professional coaching career Watt broke into the NHL coaching ranks as an assistant coach with the Vancouver Canucks in 1980–81 season. His first NHL head coaching experience came with the Winnipeg Jets, whom he guided for two-plus seasons (1981 to 1984). In 1981–82, Watt helped the Jets to a 48-point improvement in the standings, and was named Coach of the Year, winning the Jack Adams Award for his efforts.
He held the positions of head coach and assistant general manager with the Canucks for two seasons beginning in 1985–86. Watt was then an assistant coach with the Calgary Flames from 1988 to 1990, and won the 1989 Stanley Cup. In 1990, he was hired as an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and took over as head coach just 12 games into the 1990–91 NHL season. After two seasons behind the Maple Leafs' bench, he served within the Toronto organization as director of professional development in 1992–93 and director of pro scouting in 1993–94. Watt then became the head coach for the Leafs' farm club, the St. John's Maple Leafs of the American Hockey League (AHL) for two seasons beginning in 1994–95.
Watt spent 1997–98 season as head coach of the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), returning the Wolves to the playoffs after a three-year absence.
In 1999–2000, Watt returned to the NHL as a development coach for the Flames organization. Watt then joined the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in January 2001 as special assignment scout. On July 24, 2001, he was named an assistant coach for the Mighty Ducks prior to reassignment the following year. Watt joined the Florida Panthers on August 16, 2005, as a pro scout. In September 2008, Watt returned to the Maple Leafs as a pro scout.
International Watt's international experience with Team Canada includes two Olympic games, two World Hockey Championships and three Canada Cup assistant coaching assignments.
Honours Watt was inducted as an honoured member into the Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame on October 20, 2005.
Tom Watt was inducted as an honoured member into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame on March 29, 2022.
In 1971, Watt also wrote a "best seller" book on "How to Play Hockey", and 52 years later, people still have an interest in this book, which sells on various websites.
Coaching record Team Year Regular season Postseason G W L T ! Pts Finish ResultWinnipeg Jets1981–8280333314802nd in NorrisLost in division semi-finals (1-3)Winnipeg Jets1982–838033398744th in SmytheLost in division semi-finals (0-3)Winnipeg Jets1983–84216132144th in SmytheFiredVancouver Canucks1985–8680234413594th in SmytheLost in division semi-finals (0-3)Vancouver Canucks1986–878029438665th in SmytheDid not qualifyToronto Maple Leafs1990–9169223710545th in NorrisDid not qualifyToronto Maple Leafs1991–928030437675th in NorrisDid not qualifyWinnipeg Jets Total 1817285241681-6 (0.143)Vancouver Canucks Total 1605287211250-3 (0.000)Toronto Maple Leafs Total 1495780171310-0 (0.000)NHL Total 490181252624241-9 (0.100)
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