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Craig Berube

Craig Berube is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and coach known for his physical style as an NHL enforcer and for later becoming a Stanley Cup-winning head coach.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Craig Berube is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and coach known for his physical style as an NHL enforcer and for later becoming a Stanley Cup-winning head coach. He played 17 seasons in the NHL and won the Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues in 2019 as interim head coach. As of 2024, he was named head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Playing career

Berube entered the NHL with the Philadelphia Flyers in 1986 and played for five NHL teams over 17 seasons. He was widely regarded as a tough, physical player and one of the league’s most penalized players.

Coaching career

After retiring as a player, Berube worked his way through coaching roles before becoming an NHL head coach. He coached the Flyers and later the Blues, where he guided St. Louis to a Stanley Cup title in 2019.

Style and reputation

Berube was known for his role as an enforcer, with his career defined by fighting, physical play, and leadership qualities. His nickname was 'Chief'.

Career statistics and records

Berube’s career totals include 1,054 regular-season games, 61 goals and 159 points. His 3,149 penalty minutes rank among the highest in NHL history.

Key facts

  • Berube played 1,054 NHL regular-season games between 1986 and 2003.
  • He was known primarily as an enforcer and accumulated 3,149 penalty minutes in the NHL.
  • He finished his playing career with 159 points, the lowest total among players with at least 1,000 NHL games.
  • He led the St. Louis Blues to the Stanley Cup championship in 2019 as interim head coach.
  • He became head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2024.
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Canadian context

Berube is Canadian, born in Calahoo, Alberta, and is a notable figure in Canadian hockey as both a former NHL player and a Stanley Cup-winning coach.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Craig Berube?
Craig Berube is a Canadian former NHL player and coach best known for his physical playing style and for coaching the St. Louis Blues to a Stanley Cup in 2019.
What teams did Craig Berube play for?
He played for the Philadelphia Flyers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, Washington Capitals and New York Islanders.
How many NHL games did Craig Berube play?
He played 1,054 regular-season NHL games.
What is Craig Berube known for as a player?
He was known as an enforcer and finished with 3,149 regular-season penalty minutes.
Did Craig Berube win the Stanley Cup as a coach?
Yes. He coached the St. Louis Blues to their first Stanley Cup championship in 2019.
What is Craig Berube’s connection to the Toronto Maple Leafs?
He was named head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2024.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_Berube
    Supports: Career span, NHL games played, penalty minutes, playing role, and post-playing coaching career
  2. Hockey-Reference — https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/b/berubcr01.html
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, height, weight, career totals, and last NHL season
  3. Flyers Alumni — https://flyersalumni.net/craig-berube/
    Supports: Playing position, teams, games played, penalty minutes, and biography details
  4. NHL.com — https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/news/maple-leafs-name-craig-berube-head-coach
    Supports: Appointment as Toronto Maple Leafs head coach and prior coaching background
  5. The Hockey Writers — https://thehockeywriters.com/docs/craig-berube/
    Supports: Nickname, coaching roles, and Stanley Cup championship with St. Louis Blues