Marc Claude Boileau was born in Pointe Claire, Quebec and went on to a successful ice-hockey career as both player and coach. Boileau is the son of Rose-Berthe Pilon and former NHL hockey player René Boileau, who played for the New York Americans in the 1925-26 season. Boileau began his playing career with Verdun Lasalle in 1950-51 before moving on to the St. Jerome Eagles the following year. At the age of 20 he moved up to Major Junior Hockey and spent half the 1952-53 season playing for the of the QJHLs. The second half of that season he finished with the Kitchner-Waterloo Greenshirts. He signed his first professional contract in 1953 and played with the Cincinnati Mohawks for the 1953-54 season. He played with an assortment of minor-league teams for eight years before finally getting the chance to perform in the NHL. Known for his determinedwork ethic but also for his temper, Boileau was an established minor league fixture, playing with the Indianapolis Chiefs, Seattle Totems, Hershey Bears, Los Angeles Blades, and Fort Wayne Komets. He retired from playing in 1973 at age 40 with over 1000 games of minor league experience. Boileau played one season in the National Hockey League. It was in 1961-62 when Boileau played 54 games with the Detroit Red Wings. He was told to concentrate primarily on his defensive duties, which he took on with great pride. He also managed to chip in with five goals and eleven points. Despite a relatively strong on-ice performance, the Red Wings were unable to find a roster spot for him beyond that season and he never played in the NHL again. He continued his career as a head coach, beginning with the . Boileau went on to become head coach of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins from 1973 to 1976. At the pinnacle of his coaching career he won the Avco Cup as head coach of the Quebec Nordiques in the World Hockey Association in 1977. He finished his U.S. coaching career with the Flint Generals, 1978-1981. Marc went on to coach in The Netherlands and France to wrap up his exciting career.
Personal life
Boileau was married to Yolande Therese Bastien from 1953 until her death in 1989. They had 5 children, Maryse Juliette, Claude Marc, Jean, Pierre Bernard, and Luc Dalton.
