Jack McKinnon earned an outstanding reputation as a developer of championship teams. He started coaching in the Renfrew District of Vancouver, British Columbia, and built the base for his Minto Cup winning teams of 1954 and 1956.

He moved his team into the Senior ranks the following year where he spent the next 11 years as coach, manager, and executive of the Vancouver Club.

The team he created went on to the Mann Cup final five times - emerging victorious four time.