Born in
Midland, Ontario in 1934, and raised in
Paris, Ontario, Muckler was a defenceman in the minor leagues for 13 seasons, playing the bulk of his career in the
Eastern Hockey League (EHL). Muckler began his professional coaching career as a player/coach in 1959 with the EHL's
New York Rovers. He then spent the next 20 years in off-ice positions with the
New York Rangers,
Minnesota North Stars, and
Vancouver Canucks before joining the
Edmonton Oilers organization in 1981. During those 20 years, Muckler served briefly as head coach of the North Stars in 1968–69 and won multiple regular-season titles, playoff championships, and league coach-of-the-year honours in the minor leagues. Sabres President
Larry Quinn fired Muckler in the 1997 offseason. Muckler's last coaching position was as head coach of the New York Rangers from 1998 to 2000. Muckler was hired as a senior advisor with the NHL's
Phoenix Coyotes in September 2008. In addition to his many years coaching and managing in the NHL, Muckler was also an assistant coach for the Canadian teams that won the 1984 and 1987
Canadian Cup tournaments. ==Death==