On the Topic Of Alfredsson's Departure

At the end of the day, you cannot blame Daniel Alfredsson.

The emotion of everything that has happened today with the news that Alfredsson is leaving the Ottawa Senators for the Detroit Red Wings; the thing lost in all of this has to be the idea that with the departure of Alfredsson, they actually need to have someone pick up the pieces for contribution. It's a time for Jason Spezza, Milan Michalek, and the other players to step up their game and hopefully find a way to stay healthy in order to contribute more.

Not only that, the void left in the locker room for the Senators is something that won't be as easily replaced as the scoring contribution. For a core of young players, it's a huge hit in trying to turn to someone, but for guys like Erik Karlsson, it will make them grow up a little more and actually learn to become a leader and get the experience by being fed to the fire. Not only that, it'll be a big thing for Paul MacLean to be the motivator that he has shown off to the world with his Jack Adams Trophy campaign this past season.

Yet, the biggest sign this signing to Detroit brings is that Alfredsson doesn't believe himself to be the primary contributor to the Ottawa Senators, as he was being called upon to do. Getting up there with age, it just shows that Alfredsson is at the point of his career where he wants to be able to ride shotgun and let the others actually be the superstars of the team and he can lay back and be the secondary scoring and the leader on the ice by example.

With this, the Red Wings will get some experience they have lost in the past few years with the retirement of Nicklas Lidstrom, Kris Draper, and the like. Alfredsson's voice is something that's respect around the league and is someone who could teach Henrik Zetterberg how to be a leader off the ice, as well as on. Sure, the teaching of that is often futile, but if Zetterberg is willing to learn a thing or two from Alfredsson; it couldn't hurt to get some pointers here and there.

Plus, they get a little bit of consistency out of Alfredsson, who won't bring big goals or assists; but all of his points are very timely and will add more punch to the second power play unit, especially on a big one-timer chance. While it may not completely fill the void and drop-off from Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk's points contribution; Alfredsson could give a shot in the arm to the top-six guys.

Most importantly is what the fans of the Senators will do when they meet their new division rival Red Wings this season. They will be mad, regardless of what Alfredsson says his reasons are for leaving Ottawa. The wounds of this signing is going to be hard to make heal with time or at all. I'm sure long after Alfredsson has retired, he will be welcomed back by the Ottawa faithful as Mr. Senator-- but for now, there's bitterness, tears, and a lost feeling trying to find out what went wrong between the Sens and Alfie.

Thanks For Coming Out, 2013 Detroit Red Wings

On the verge of missing their first playoffs in forever, the Detroit Red Wings were able to actually get to the 7th game of the second round, though getting beat in overtime by the Blackhawks. While many thought they overachieved, these are the Red Wings and that's a tradition that never gives up.

The core of the Red Wings offense is going to be together for a long-time-- especially if they re-sign Pavel Datsyuk to a long-term deal this off-season--but for some reason, they have been able to develop players to fit into their system for years. Many were skeptical of what Damien Brunner could bring to the table, but he could be one of the first European free-agents to make a big impact in the NHL, so long as he sticks to the Red Wings system. Up and down, the Wings filter in and out cogs in order to fulfill their needs.

It's hard to fill the void that Nicklas Lidstrom left, but the Wings are trying with Niklas Kronwall and Jonathan Ericsson. Kronwall does bring the physical side and Ericsson the defensive side; but they are hard-pressed to have the full package player that Lidstrom was. With only Kronwall, Ericsson, and Jakub Kindl playing over 40 games, the stability of their defense is something that that could be called into question as the years go on.

There are many who call Jimmy Howard elite, but I don't know if I believe that he's the Joe Flacco of the NHL. While Howard's number are decent, is that because of the system or his skill?? Many believe that Martin Brodeur was so good because of the system and scheme he was behind, but people give Howard the benefit of the doubt. Chris Osgood was able to win Cup rings with this Red Wings team in front of him, but Howard so far has zero. I refuse to believe that he's in that upper echelon of goalies without a ring or Conference championship to show for it.

Many questions also surround Mike Babcock's future, as he has a couple more years with the Red Wings. Even if Babcock were to leave, the Wings have always been a team that has been able to replace coaches with relative ease, sans the Dave Lewis experiment. Should Babcock go in a couple years, the brass of the Wings should be able to fit in another cog to the machine-- much like their player roster-- in order to keep a successful franchise going.

Absurd Goalie Monday: Johnny Mowers

As was with the time, this week's AGM had his career cut short due to World War II. However, in his short career, he had a lot of team and individual achievements; even though he was involved in the first biggest comeback in playoff history when he team gave up a 3-0 series lead. This week, the profile of Johnny Mowers. 

Mowers' trek is first noted when he played Senior leagues for the Niagara Falls Cataracts in the 1935-36 season, even though he would only play in the Allan Cup for two games that season. Mowers would go onto play 54 games between the 1936-37 season and 1938-39 season for Niagara Falls, as well as 16 additional playoff games; though no records are given. 

Before the 1939-40 season, the Detroit Red Wings would sign Mowers to a contract, but place him in the Michigan-Ontario League to start out with. While with the Detroit Pontiacs of the MOHL, Mowers played in 20 games before being promoted to the AHA's Omaha Knights, where he would play in 21 games and finish the year with a 16-5-0 record. 

The Red Wings would call on Mowers to start for them in 1940-41 season, starting 48 games and posting a 21-16-11 record, with a 4-5 playoff record. It was a little rougher in the 1941-42 season, where Mowers would go 19-25-3 for the Red Wings, but finish with a 7-5 playoff record-- one win short of a Stanley Cup. The redemption season for Mowers came in 1942-43, playing in 50 games and compiling a 25-14-11 record, then winning the Stanley Cup with an 8-2 record. In addition to the Cup, Mowers won the Vezina Trophy for top goalie, as well as making the NHL First All-Star Team. 

Along with some other players, Mowers left the NHL for the Royal Canadian Air Force. Mowers played with the RCAF in the 1943-44 season and would go 3-6-0 in nine games. Though he missed the 1944-45 season while serving, Mowers played for the Wembley Lions in the 1945-46 season. 

Mowers returned to the Red Wings in the 1946-47 season, he would only play in seven games and finish with a 0-6-1 record and was bothered by a back injury for most of the season. During the 1947-48-- Mowers played with the AHL's Indianapolis Capitols for two games, going 1-1-0 in that time before retiring due to that back injury. Not much was heard from Mowers after that and he would pass away in 1995.

While having a short-span in the NHL, Mowers made a big mark in the NHL with his strong play for two of this three full seasons. Though it was cut short, Mowers did what he thought was right when he went to serve his country. Even though Mowers didn't last too much longer when he came back; Mowers will forever be remembered, if only as a footnote in the trophy department. 

Absurd Goalie Monday: Jimmy Franks

This week's AGM is a guy who got passed around from team to team, but never got traded once. He played in a time where injury and war stripped many teams of their players and goalies-- which is where a back-up or third-string goalie would not only provide depth, but also give options for other teams. This week, the profile of Jimmy Franks.

Franks started in the South Saskatoon Junior League with the Regina Pats, playing in two regular season games in the 1932-33 season before helping the Pats get to the Memorial Cup finals with a 7-3-3 record, but going 0-2 in the Memorial Cup Finals to lose to the Newmarket Redmen. The 1933-34 season had Franks stay in the SSJHL, but with the Melville Millionaires, but he would be in the Junior "A" league in the 1934-35 season with the Kerrobert Tigers.

With Franks advancing to the Senior Leagues, he moved to the Prince Albert Mintos of the North Saskatchewan Senior League for the 1935-36 season, playing in 18 games with an 11-6-1 record, then going 5-2 in seven games of the Allan Cup playoffs.

The Detroit Red Wings signed Franks in May of 1936 and put him in the AHL with the Pittsburgh Hornets in the 1936-37 season, playing 20 games and finishing with a 8-9-3 record, then going 1-0 in the playoffs. However, due to an injury to goalie Normie Smith; Franks got called up to the Red Wings for the playoffs-- lossing his only appearance, but still got his name engraved on the Stanley Cup that the Red Wings won. Franks returned to Pittsburgh for the 1937-38 season, going 3-4-2 in nine games, while winning his only game as a call-up to the Red Wings. Franks again returned to Pittsburgh for the 1938-39 season, sporting a 16-14-3 record in the 33 games he played, as well as playing a game with the Syracuse Stars in the AHL (a tie) and four games with the AHA's Kansas City Greyhounds (3-1-0).

Staying in the AHL, Franks played for the Indianapolis Capitols for the 1939-40 season, playing for 29 game and finishing with a 16-7-6 record. Staying in Indianapolis for the 1940-41 season, Franks played in 56 games and compiled a record of 17-28-11. In the 1941-42 season, Franks returned to the AHA and played for the Omaha Knights and went 19-14-6 in 39 games and then a perfect 8-0 in the playoffs to win the last AHA championship, the Harry T. Sinclair Trophy.

It was an odd 1942-43 season as Franks was loaned out to the New York Rangers by the Red Wings as a war-time replacement for Jim Henry. With the Rangers, Franks played in 23 games and posted a 5-14-4 record. Also that season, Franks played with the Pittsburgh Hornets of the AHL and had a 1-3-0 record in four games of work.

For the 1943-44 season, the Red Wings and Franks were at odds at Franks' demotion, leading the Red Wings to suspend Franks for not reporting to Indianapolis. At the end, Franks was able to agree to playing just road games for the Red Wings, going 6-8-3 in 17 games, while also being loaned out to the Boston Bruins for a game against the Red Wings, where he would lose the game to his own team. Franks also spent a game with the Buffalo Bisons, which was a win.

Franks played for the AHL's St. Louis Flyers for the bulk of the 1944-45 season, going 5-21-3 in 29 games, while also tying the only game he played in for the Buffalo Bisons. At the end of the season, Franks would retire. Franks would pass away in 1994 at age 79.

With so little spots around, Franks was able to get into some games because of war-time and due to other goalies being injured. In that kind of cut-throat time, he was able to get whatever he could get and while he didn't thrive in those times, he was able to make his mark in some way, shape, or form.

On the Topic Of Slow Starts to a Shortened Season

While the shortened season does leave little room for error, the fact that some fans and some teams are hovering their hands over the panic buttons may be a little too premature. Sure, the fact some teams have gotten into slumps in the early five-days for play, you just have to look back into history to see that getting off to a slow start isn't a horrible thing....if you have the right parts, of course.

Looking at the last shortened season in 1995, you just have to look at the Stanley Cup champions of that year to see that as long as you get into the playoffs-- it's perfectly fine and you have a shot at winning the whole thing. In fact, the Devils were the 5th seed in the East, having to defeat the 4th, 3rd, and 2nd seeds in the East to win that conference in a total of 16 games before the Finals.

Yet, the bigger thing is that it wasn't until March 30th (Game 33) when they went over .500 for the season and leading to their 22-18-8 record; in a time where the OT loss didn't account for a point. More over than that, after tying their first game, the Devils went to lose three straight and were 3-5-2 in their first 10 and their longest unbeaten streak was seven games It wasn't a cause for overpanic, but I'm sure it was there after the quick losing streak.

Conversely, the Western Conference representitve that year was the Detroit Red Wings, who won the Presidents' Trophy for best record of the league (33-11-4) and played in 14 games before the Finals, to be swept by the Devils in four games. Comparing the stats for the Red Wings to the Devils, the Wings never dipped below .500 after January 24th in their third game of the year, went 7-3-0 in their first ten games with a long-unbeaten streak of 11 games.

Interestingly enough, both teams went 5-4-1 in their last ten games.

What does it all mean?? Well, it's an issue of conservation and patience. While the beginning may look grim to some fans, owners, GMs, etc.; the fact remains that in the last short-season, it didn't really matter the quick start you got off to or not; just making the playoffs was enough to give a team hope. Of course, with the game changing in conditioning and technology; teams may want to not wait as long as March 30th to finally crack the .500 mark.

Absurd Goalie Monday: Claude Bourque

With humble beginnings and almost having his NHL days end before they started, this week's AGM built up his reputation from his home and then went to do what he could when he was called on to do so. Of course, it didn't help that the teams in front of him were horrible, but he made it-- so there's that. This week, the profile of Claude Bourque

Bourque started in the youth system of his native Moncton, Nova Scotia-- playing for the Moncton St. Mary's in the 1928-29 season, going 3-2-1 in six games; while in the 1929-30 season, he has the same record. In the 1930-31 season, Bourque traveled all over Moncton, playing with the junior team (Moncton CCJA: 3-1-0), another local minor hockey team (Moncton CNR Machinist: 1-1-0), and his high school squad (Moncton Aberdeens: 4-0-0, two shutouts). Bourque only played for CCJA in the 1931-32 season, posting a 6-0-0 record in six games, then going 2-1 in the playoffs.

The 1932-33 season had Bourque suit up for the Moncton Red Indians in the MCJHL and have a 4-0-1 record in five games, then 2-0 in the playoffs, while going 6-1-1 in the Memorial Cup tournament, missing out on the final series.

For the 1933-34 season and 1934-35 season, Bourque played for the Montreal Jr. Canadiens for 18 games, while the 1935-36 saw him play 21 games for the Sr. Canadiens, then 19 games for the Montreal Royals in the 1936-37 season. Bourque would then have his lower league tour end with the Verdun Maple Leafs in the 1937-38 season for 18 games.

The Montreal Maroons owned the NHL rights to Bourque, but as they were going through financial turmoil, they traded his contract to the Montreal Canadiens, who would put him to work in the 1938-39 season-- playing in 25 games and finishing with a 7-13-5 record. Also that season, Bourque spent two games with Verdun, then three with the Kansas City Greyhounds-- all of those losses. The Canadiens brought Bourque back up for the 1939-40 season, playing him in 36 games and having him end up with a 9-24-3 record. The Habs loaned Bourque to the Red Wings for a game to replace injured Tiny Thompson (a loss) before sending him to the New Haven Eagles, playing in six games with a 1-5-0 record.

The Habs traded Bourque to the New York Rangers in the spring of 1940 and the Rangers sent him to the AHL's Philadelphia Ramblers, where Bourque would play in 56 games and finish with a 25-25-6 record. In the 1941-42 season, Bourque stayed in the AHL, but played for the Buffalo Bisons, compiling a 24-24-5 record in 54 games.

After that season, Bourque enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force and would play with the team at the base he was stationed at, Lachine RCAF and play in 34 games, as well as 12 playoff games, before hanging up the pads for good. Bourque passed away in May of 1982.

While he was bounced around Nova Scotia before getting into some bad NHL situations, it seemed that Bourque was willing to play on and was getting better before he went to war. It was a hard time to get a goaltending job in the NHL, which probably didn't help any confidence or need for stability in Bourque's career.

Absurd Goalie Monday: Clarence Dolson

This week's AGM is a guy who actually has a record with one of the greatest organizations in the NHL. However, since it was in the pre-Original Six days, he's rarely mentioned or even thought about. Though he played under 100 games for a bad franchise, he left what he could on the ice. This week, the profile of Clarence "Dolly" Dolson.

Dolson started his career with the Galt Garrison in the 1915-16 season, going 3-3-0 in six games before not having any records until the 1919-20 season with the Galt Terriers in the OHA, where he would play until the 1922-23 season. Dolson then moved into the OHA-Senior league, playing for the Stratford Indians starting in the 1923-24 season, where he would go 9-2-1 in 12 games, then 3-1 in four playoff games. With the Indians in the 1924-25 season, Dolson played in 20 games and finished with a 12-8-0 record, then posted a 1-1 record in two playoff games. The 1925-26 season was a shabby one for Dolson, going 6-13-1 in 20 appearances, while getting a call to play for the Montreal CNR, going 1-0-0 in both the regular season and playoffs.

The Canadian Pro League came calling for Dolson in the 1926-27 season, as he played for the Stratford Nationals and go 19-11-0 in 30 appearances, but went 0-2 in the playoffs. Back with the Nationals for the 1927-28 season, Dolson went 24-12-5, with 11 shutouts, then 4-0-1 in the five playoff games he played.

With those impressive showings, Dolson got a NHL call and was claimed by the Detroit Cougars in the 1928-29 season and played in 44 games, posting a 19-16-9 record with 10 shutouts and a 1.37 GAA (still a Cougars/Falcons/Red Wings record), then went 0-2 in the playoffs. The 1929-30 season had Dolson only play five games with Detroit (0-4-1) before being sent to the International American League's London Panthers, where he would play 31 games. The Cougars would change their name to the Falcons and Dolson would be back up with the team in the 1930-31 season, playing in 44 games and posted a 16-21-7 record.

The Falcons would move Dolson to the International American League's Cleveland Indians for the 1931-32 season, going 2-9-3 in 13 games, then play another ten games in the 1932-33 season before retiring from the games. Dolson's whereabouts after hockey are unknown to where I looked, but he did pass away in August of 1978.

He wasn't a big name or someone that's much remembered, but Dolson left his mark in a short career. However, in a time where jobs were sparse and it was all about proving yourself on a nightly basis, Dolson was lost in the fold. While his Senior and Minor career was decent, he couldn't hang in the NHL for too long with a team that was very disorganized until they became the Red Wings.

Absurd Goalie Monday: Terry Richardson

While this week's AGM shares a name with an interesting photographer, his work wasn't as provocative as the photog. As a first round pick, there were high hopes-- but they were dashed by stalling out in the minors and not getting a fair shot at the NHL spot. This week, the profile of Terry Richardson.

Richardson started in the BCHL with the New Westminster Royals in the 1970-71 season before he would move to the WHL's New Westminster Bruins for the 1971-72 season for 49 games (no record), while going 1-4 in five playoff games. In the 1972-73 season, Richardson would play again for the Bruins for 69 games and finish with a 31-22-15 and play five playoff games (no record).

The Detroit Red Wings would draft Richardson in the first round of the 1973 Draft. Richardson would start off with the Red Wings, playing in nine games with a 1-4-0 record, then he was sent to the AHL's Virginia Wings-- compiling a 5-7-2 record in 14 appearances; then Richardson would go to the British League, playing in 14 games for the London Lions (no record). The 1974-75 season, Richardson stuck with Virginia for most the season, appearing in 30 games and put up a 10-13-3 record, while moonlighting with Detroit for four games and posting a 1-2-0 record.

During the 1975-76 season, Richardson spent most his time with the Springfield Indians of the AHL, playing in 20 games and putting up a 6-10-1 record, while also spending four games with the New Haven Nighthawks and having a 1-2-1 record, then playing in Detroit for a game, which was a loss.

It was a big 1976-77 season for Richardson. Even though he played five games for Detroit (1-3-0), Richardson had a big year in the IHL for the Kalamazoo Wings; playing 65 games (no record). played 10 games in the playoffs (5-5), and would win the James Norris Memorial Trophy for fewest goals in the league and was named to the Second All-Star Team. Richardson spent the entire 1977-78 season in the Central League with the Kansas City Red Wings, going 27-32-2 in 63 games and was named to the Second All-Star Team.

Richardson signed with the St. Louis Blues in the summer of 1978. The Blues then assigned Richardson to the Central League's Salt Lake Golden Eagles, going 30-7-3 in 40 appearances, taking home the Terry Sawchuk Trophy for fewest goals against (shared with Doug Grant), and would lose the only game he would play in for the Blues.

In the summer of 1979, the Blues traded Richardson to the New York Islanders, who would then trade him to the Hartford Whalers. Richardson found himself with the Springfield Indians for the 1979-80 season, playing in 46 contests and finishing out with a 15-22-7 before he would retire from the game.

Currently, Richardson is an amateur scout for the Washington Capitals.

Though he didn't live up to the 1st round pick status, he did find a groove in the minors, but never seemed to get a shot in the big time during a time where you're first game could be your last if it's not good enough. Though, he landed on his feet

Nabby Knocks Off Pens, Chimera Hurrah, Datsyuk Dazzles

Evgeni Malkin injured in the 3rd period

1st Star: Evgeni Nabokov, NYI: 36 saves

2nd Star: John Tavares, NYI: 1 goal, 1 assist

3rd Star: P-A Parenteau, NYI: Game-winning goal

The semi-rivalry met up for opening night, but the Isles got the best of this round as John Tavares and P-A Parenteau netted the goals for the Islanders, helping Evgeni Nabokov-- who had 36 saves in the winning effort. Brandon Sutter got the lone goal for the Pens, who had to play without Evgeni Malkin for the third period after getting his legs tangled up in a scrum. 

1st Star: Jason Chimera, WSH: 1 goal, 1 assist

2nd Star: Adam Henrique, NJ: 1 goal, 2 assists
3rd Star: Mike Ribeiro, WSH: 2 goals

Jason Chimera celebrates his OT winner

Without Zach Parise, the Devils faired well, but were downed by Jason Chimera's overtime winner for the Capitals. Newcomer Mike Ribeiro score two in his Washington debut, while Michal Neuvirth stopped 48 the start. Martin Brodeur showed his true stopper side with 47 saves of his own, as the Devils got three points from Adam Henrique.

1st Star: Pavel Datsyuk, DET: 2 goals
2nd Star: Mike Fisher, NSH: 1 goal, 1 assist
3rd Star: Todd Bertuzzi, DET: 1 goal, 1 assist

Pavel Datsyuk scored two goals, while Todd Bertuzzi had a goal and an assist in the Red Wings win. The Predators had to swap goalies after the first period as Pekka Rinne only stopped seven of the 10 shots he faced. Mike Fisher was the lone bright spot for the Preds with a goal and assist.

Pavel Datsyuk's first of two goals

Absurd Goalie Monday: Doug Grant

While they do say it's a wild ride to the top, this story is one of a hometown boy done good. Not only did he make his name for himself with his hometown club, but he was able to probably be one of the most unorthodox routes to the NHL. This week, the profile of Doug Grant

Grant started his time at home playing for the Corner Brook Pats in the Newfoundland Junior league in the 1964-65 season then seems like he disappeared for the 1965-66 season before moving onto the Newfoundland Senior League.

In the Newfoundland Senior League, Grant played for the Corner Brook Royals starting in the 1966-67 season, going 12-8-2 in 23 appearance, then 1-2 in three playoff contests. The 1967-68 season had Grant appear in 40 games with a 19-16-5 record, then going 8-4 in the playoffs to represent the Maritime Provinces in the Allan Cup where the Royals would lose in the semifinals. Grant returned again for the 1968-69 season, posting a 17-18-4 record, then going 1-2 in four Allan Cup game play-ins. As Grant came back for the 1969-70 season, he put up a 18-17-5 record (3-4 in the playoffs), while he enjoyed success in the 1970-71 season but going 16-13-6 (3-8 in the playoffs) while being named to the First All-Star Team for the end of the year.

Follow those years, Grant decided to move to the Canadian college ranks to play for Memorial University in St. John's, Newfoundland for 14 games in the 1971-72 season and being named to the First All-Star Team. Because of that performance, the Detroit Red Wings signed Grant in March of 1972. Grant went to the Central League's Fort Worth Wings for three games (1-2-0) before filling in with the Grand Falls Cataracts in the Allan Cup for a game, a loss.

In the 1972-73 season, Grant joined the AHL's Virginia Wings, playing in 51 games (no record) and posting six shutouts, as well as going 6-6 in the playoffs and taking First All-Star Team honors in his first full pro-season.

During the 1973-74 season, Grant started the with the Virginia Wings and go 1-3-2 before he got called up to the Detroit Red Wings and finish 15-16-2 in 37 games for the Red Wings. Another split season for Grant occurred in the 1974-75 season where he would post a 1-5-0 record in Detroit, while finishing with a 14-11-8 record in Virginia. During the 1975-76 season, Grant spent most the season in AHL with the New Haven Nighthawks, compiling a 8-13-2 record in 23 games, while going 1-1-0 in Detroit.

Grant was traded to the St. Louis Blues in March of 1976 and finished in New Haven. For the 1976-77 season, Grant played 17 games for St. Louis (7-7-3), then spending 20 games in the Central League with the Kansas City Blues (10-6-4). The Blues used Grant for nine games in the 1977-78 season (3-3-2), while being assigned to the Central League's Salt Lake Golden Eagles, posting a 17-13-3 record-- being named to the Second All-Star Team and winning the Terry Sawchuk Trophy with Ed Staniowski for fewest goals against.

For the 1978-79 season, Grant played mostly in Salt Lake, finishing with a 15-12-3 record in 31 games, then 1-2 in the playoffs; as well as getting another Sawchuk Trophy with Staniowski. Grant also got the call from St. Louis for four games (0-2-1). With Grant returning to Salt Lake for the 1979-80 season, where he would go 24-12-2 in 38 games, then 7-2 in the playoffs to help the Golden Eagles win the Adams Cup and Grant would get the Max McNab Trophy for Playoff MVP. Grant did play a game in St. Louis, but didn't register in the decision.

Grant signed with the Golden Eagles for the next two season starting in the 1980-81 season, where he would only play five games that season (3-1-0) and then seven games in the 1981-82 season (2-3-0). After that season, Grant would retire from hockey.

It wasn't the most orthodox of treks and honestly, this is where the expansion era helped out a lot-- but in the long run, Grant accomplished a lot with a little in front of him and had a lot of help along the way later on down the line. He got his team awards and personal awards and shouldn't have much to overly complain about outside of not getting a better shake in the NHL.

Absurd Goalie Monday: Hank Bassen

While the west seemed to be the best for this week's AGM, he did make a name for himself but coming out of nowhere in order to get to the NHL and would be noticed from the lower leagues-- though the translation to the NHL game didn't go as planned. This week, the profile of Hank Bassen.

Bassen started off playing for his hometown team, the Calgary Buffaloes of the Western Canadian Junior League starting in the 1949-50 season, finishing his rookie season with a 11-18-1 record in 30 games, while his sophomore season; Bassen played 37 games and went 8-27-2 with the Buffaloes and was loaned out for a game to the Medicine Hat Tigers, losing that game. It was a bounce back year in the 1951-52 season, as Bassen went 21-17-4 in 42 games, then 0-3 in the playoffs. For the 1952-53 season, Bassen played in 30 games, compiling a 14-13-3 record, then again going 0-3 in the playoffs.

Moving out east for the 1953-54 season, Bassen played for the Chatham Maroons of the Ontario Senior League, putting together a 22-30-3 record. The 1954-55 season brought Bassen to the AHL's Buffalo Bisons, where he would play in 37 games and finish up with a 13-19-5 record.

An interesting turn allowed Bassen get some NHL playing time as he would replace the suddened injured Al Rollins for the Chicago Blackhawks and play in 21 games for the Hawks, finishing with a 4-9-8 record for that season. The 1955-56 season had Bassen in 12 games for the Hawks and posting a 2-9-1 record, but spent the bulk of that season in Buffalo going 26-23-4 in 55 games, then posting a 2-3 playoff record.

For the 1956-57 season, Bassen went back out west to Calgary to play for the Western League's Calgary Wranglers, where he would play in 68 games and post a 29-35-4 record, then 1-2 in three playoff appearances.

Even while not with the team, the Blackhawks traded Bassen away with Johnny Wilson, Forbes Kennedy, and Bill Preston to the Detroit Red Wings for Glenn Hall and Ted Lindsay in July of 1957. That didn't make Bassen go back out east, as he would stay in the Western League in the 1957-58 season with the Seattle Totems, putting together a 27-27-6 record, then going 5-4 in the nine playoff appearances.

The Red Wings traded the rights to Bassen away in May of 1958 to the AHL's Springfield Indians, where Bassen would appear in 29 games and put up a 13-14-2 record. Bassen was then traded by Springfield to the WHL's Vancouver Canucks for the 1959-60 season, where Bassen compiled a 44-19-6 season, the a 9-2 playoff record, helping win the WHL Championship. Bassen also was awarded the Leader's Cup for League MVP and Outstanding Goaltender Award.

The Detroit Red Wings claimed Bassen back in the 1960-61 season in the IntraLeague Draft, where Bassen would be behind Terry Sawchuk-- getting into 35 games with a 13-13-6 record and 1-2 playoff record. The 1961-62 season saw Bassen play 27 games with Detroit, posting a 9-12-6 record in those games. The 1961-62 season also had Bassen play with the AHL's Pittsburgh Hornets (4-4-1) and EPHL's Sudbury Wolves (1-2-0).

It was another split season in the 1962-63 season for Bassen playing in 40 contest for the Hornets (15-23-2) and 16 for the Red Wings (6-5-5), while Bassen played in Cincinnati for the CPHL's Wings for seven games (0-6-1), 26 for the Hornets (9-15-2), and only one for the Red Wings (0-1-0) in the 1963-64 season. Bassen was firmly planted in Pittsburgh for the Hornets in the 1964-65 season, playing in 57 games and finishing with a 24-25-7 record.

Shipping back to Detroit for the 1965-66 season for 11 games and finishing off with a 3-3-0 record, while in the 1966-67 season, he would only play in eight games for the Red Wings (2-4-0), then ten games for the Hornets (6-3-1).

The Red Wings would trade Bassen to the newly expansion Pittsburgh Penguins for Roy Edwards before the 1967-68 season. He would play 25 games for the Pens and go 7-10-3 record before retiring from hockey.

After hockey, Bassen opened an excavating business and did manage the Calgary Jr. Buffaloes between 1984-86. Bassen's son, Bob, would go on to play 765 NHL games from 1985 until 2000. Hank Bassen would pass away from heart failure in May of 2009.

In a pinch, Bassen would be there-- that's how he got his name "Mr. Emergency" as he filled in during a time where back-ups weren't used frequently. Yet, he did have an affinity for the West and towards the end Western Pennsylvania. He seemed to always keep digging and was able to achieve the NHL dream over and over-- though there was time between appearances and plenty of up-and-down travels.

Absurd Goalie Monday: Carl Wetzel

While many of these AGMs would move around towards the end of their career, this week's installment was on the go from the start. Over his 15 season career, he played in 14 different cities for 16 different teams. He was well-travelled, but not well recognized. So, that's what will happen now-- this week, the profile of Carl Wetzel.

Wetzel started his trek, literally, with the only team he had stability with-- the Hamilton Tiger Cubs of the OHA Junior "A" league starting in the 1956-57 season, playing in 48 games and finishing with a 24-22-2 record; the 1-3 in four playoff games. The 1957-58 season had Wetzel play in 50 games compiling a 26-17-7 record, then going 8-6-1 in 15 playoff appearances, losing in the finals to the Toronto Marlboros. He would also play 25 games in the 1958-59 season with Hamilton, but no record is indicated. Wetzel would also play one game that season with the WHL's Edmonton Flyers, which was a loss.

The nomadic side of Wetzel started with the 1959-60 season playing 62 games with the Omaha Knights of the IHL, but no record is given; then in the 1960-61 season-- Wetzel played 52 games for the IHL's Indianapolis Chiefs (no record), then played in the WHL with the Spokane Comets for five games (0-5-0), then was loaned out to the IHL's Fort Wayne Koments for eight playoff games (3-3). In the 1961-62 season, Wetzel played in the EPHL with the Sudbury Wolves, going 25-26-10 in 61 games and 1-4 in five playoff contests.

After that season, Wetzel would put his career on hold due to military services (likely due to the US Draft) and would only suit up once in the 1963-64 season as an emergency back-up to the WHL's San Francisco Seals.

Upon his return in the 1964-65 season, his hometown team, the Detroit Red Wings, picked him up-- but he would only play two games for them (0-1-0), while also spending four games with the AHL's Pittsburgh Hornets (1-3-0).

The Montreal Canadiens claimed Wetzel in the Reverse Draft before the 1965-66 season and would place him in the CPHL with the Houston Apollos; where he would play 51 games with a 21-24-6 record. Wetzel would also play one game for the AHL's Quebec Aces-- a loss.

Wetzel left the Canadiens organization to play for the USA National Team in the 1966-67 season. He would play 12 games throughout the season, as well as seven games in the World Hockey Championships. In the World Championships, Wetzel went 3-3-1 in seven games and be named Best Goaltender in the tournament and named to the All-Star Team.

In the summer of the 1967, the Canadiens traded Wetzel to the expansion Minnesota North Stars for cash. Wetzel, along with Bill Masterton, were the first two signed to the North Stars. Wetzel would play five games in the 1967-68 campaign with the North Stars finishing with a 1-3-1 record; but would spend most of the season with the CPHL's Memphis South Stars for 20 games, finishing with a 8-9-2 record. A more masterful memory for Wetzel was bring loaned to the AHL's Rochester Americans for ten games (3-3-1) and then 2-1 in the playoffs, helping them win the Calder Cup championship. The 1968-69 season had Wetzel back with the Memphis South Stars for 39 games, while also playing two games for the AHL's Cleveland Barons, winning the game he was in on the decision for.

The 1969-70 season had Wetzel play four games for the USHL's Rochester Mustangs, but would go back to play with the US National Team for 17 games. In the 1970-71 season, Wetzel stayed with the US National Team, playing in the World Championship again-- but wouldn't fair as he did in 1967-- finishing with a 1-6-0 record in eight games of the tournament.

Wetzel would cross over the Europe for the 1971-72 season with KAC Kitzbuhel in Austria, playing in 44 games before returning to North America and the WHA in the 1972-73 season with the Minnesota Fighting Saints, losing the only game he played. He would retire after that last season.

After taking time off, Wetzel did return to be an assistant coach for the North Stars in the 1987-88 season, but would drop off the map after that until he came back for the Minnesota Wild hosting the "Back on Home Ice" reunion for the North Stars March 29-31, 2012.

He went everywhere and Wetzel tried to make the most out of it. He saw a lot of North America and some parts of Europe when playing with the National Team. He served his country in military duties and in hockey duties. He was a hustler in order to sell himself off as an option to teams and he would do what he could to get some playing time.

Absurd Goalie Monday: George Gardner

Back in the time where the goalie spot was one that was few and far between, goalies would go at great length to keep their jobs. This week's AGM actually needed corrective glasses for his vision, but didn't tell anyone because he thought he would be cut. He would memorized the eye-charts to pass the exam, but it was until late into his career that he got caught when the team switched the chart on him. This week, the profile of George Gardner.

Garnder started his career with the Quebec League's Victoriaville Bruins in the 1961-62 season, posting a 28-19-2 record, then going 7-3 in 10 playoff games. The 1962-63 season, Gardner moved to the OHA (now OHL) to play with the Niagara Fall Flyers, helping lead them to the George Richardson Memorial Trophy for Eastern Canada Champions, but losing in the Memorial Cup in six games to the Edmonton Oil Kings.

The Boston Bruins claimed Gardner from Kingston EPHL during an Inter-League Draft before the 1963-64 season and sent him to the Minneapolis Bruins of the CPHL for that season, where he would put up a 30-27-6 record in 63 games.

Gardner was then claimed by the Detroit Red Wings before the 1964-65 season during another Inter-League Draft and the Red Wings put him in the CPHL with the Memphis Wings, putting together a 25-32-9 record that season. The Red Wings promoted Gardner to the AHL's Pittsburgh Hornets for the 1965-66 season, where he would compile a 34-30-1 record, while also appearing in his first NHL game for an injured Roger Crozier, which he would win.

It was a hectic 1966-67 season for Gardner who bounced betwen Memphis (4-9-3), Pittsburgh (18-6-4), and Detroit (3-6-0), but the most interesting part that season was his living arrangements in Memphis. Instead of getting an apartment, Garder was renting a place for $40 a month. This play was a mansion that was owned by a former teammate's mother which had a maid, butler, and chauffeur; who drove Gardner to the rink in a limo.

The glamorous life didn't follow Gardner in the 1967-68 season, where he would play in the CPHL with the Fort Worth Wings, playing in 12 games with a 4-7-0 record and then going to Detroit to play 12 games for the Red Wings and finish with a 3-2-2 record.

Gardner was picked up by the Rochester Americans in the Inter-League Draft, but would have his rights transferred to the WHL Vancouver Canucks, where he would go 25-18-9 in the 1968-69 season, helping the Canucks in the championship. Gardner would stay for the 1969-70 season and have an amazing 41-14-6 record, helping the Canucks win a second straight championship, as well as winning the Leading Goaltender Award for lowest GAA in the season.

The Canucks would be moved to the NHL the next season in an expansion role. Gardner would be the starting goalie for the Canucks' first game in the NHL, a loss to the Los Angeles Kings. Garder would play 18 games for the Canucks that 1970-71 season with a 6-8-1 record. Gardner would also play in the AHL for the Rochester Americans for four games with a 0-1-3 record. In the 1971-72 season, Gardner would stay with the Canucks and play in 24 games and finish with a 3-14-3 record.

Gardner moved to the WHA and the Los Angeles Sharks for the 1972-73 season, finishing with a 19-22-4 record in 49 games. Playing only two games for the Sharks in the 1973-74 season (both losses), Gardner would be traded to the Vancouver Blazers, playing in 28 games with a 4-21-1 record. Gardner was moved south the play in the Southern Hockey League with the Roanoke Valley Rebels for four games before retiring.

Gardner passed away in November of 2006 in his home in Florida.

From living the high life in Memphis to faking eye exams to being the first goalie in history for a new team Gardner experienced the up and down of hockey and showed how hard it was to keep a spot in the old days and he had to do what he needed to keep his spot and keep going.

Absurd Goalie Monday: Sam St. Laurent

Though this week's AGM definitely has a niche for keeping his fashion from going out of style; his style itself was something that was more of shuttling back and forth from the minors to the NHL. Even so, he got success here and there, but nothing truly lasting. This week, the profile of Sam St. Laurent.

It all started for St. Laurent with the Chicoutimi Sagueneens of the QMJHL in the 1975-76 season, where he would play in 17 games and finish with a 4-8-2 record. The 1976-77 season got St. Laurent more time in the cage, finishing with a 5-9-0 record in 21 appearances. Chicoutimi gave St. Laurent the starting job in the 1977-78 season, playing in 60 games and compiling a disappointing 12-35-10 record. In his final junior season, St. Laurent played 70 games in the 1978-79 and would finish with a 23-31-9 record.

St. Laurent would sign with the Philadelphia Flyers before the 1979-80 and would be put into their system. St. Laurent would play parts of four seasons with the IHL's Toledo Goaldiggers, playing in 85 games in that span, but no record to be recorded. However, St. Laurent would move his way into the AHL with the Maine Mariners for a few seasons to start with seven games in the 1980-81 season (3-3-0), 25 games in the 1981-82 season (15-7-1), and 30 games in the 1982-83 season (12-12-4), while also appearing in 17 playoff games with an 8-9 record.

Due to the playoff success, St. Laurent would stay the full 1983-84 season with the Mariners, appearing in 38 games, finishing with a 14-18-4 record and then in the playoffs posting a 9-2 record in 12 games. St. Laurent stepped into a bigger role in the 1984-85 season with Maine, posting a 26-22-7 record in 55 appearances and going 5-5 in 10 playoff games.

Before the 1985-86 season, St. Laurent was shipped to the New Jersey Devils for future considerations, but he would spend most of that season back in Maine, where he would play in 50 games and finish with a 24-20-4 record. St. Laurent would go on to win the Harry "Hap" Holmes Award for fewest goals-against in the season, as well as the Aldege "Baz" Bastien Award for Most Outstanding Goaltender in the AHL. St. Laurent would also play in four games for New Jersey and finishing with a 2-1-0 record.

The Devils would trade St. Laurent to the Detroit Red Wings for Steve Richmond in the summer of 1986, which would land St. Laurent with the Adirondack Red Wings for the 1986-87 season, playing 25 games and posting a 7-13-0 record; then going 1-2-2 in six games with Detroit. It was another split season for St. Laurent in the 1987-88 season, playing in 32 games in Adirondack (12-14-4) and six games in Detroit (2-2-0), but have his season end in the first playoff game he played in. While the split season of 1988-89 happened, it was a good year for St. Laurent in the AHL, as he would go 20-11-3 in 34 games with Adirondack and then 11-5 in 16 playoff games, helping them win the Calder Cup and giving St. Laurent the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy for Playoff MVP. That same year with Detroit, St. Laurent went 0-1-1 in four games.

The 1989-90 season was a big split season for St. Laurent, as he would spend 13 games in Adirondack with a 10-2-1 record and then get called up to Detroit and play 14 games there with a 2-6-1 record.

During the summer of 1990, St. Laurent was traded to the New York Rangers for cash going to Detroit, but the 1990-91 season, St. Laurent would play with the Binghamton Rangers, where he would go 19-16-4 record in 45 games. It was a short 1991-92 season for St. Laurent, who would play only one game for the Canadian National Team (a loss), be an extra for the Canadian Olympic team (which he got a silver medal), and then one games with Binghamton-- a no decision. He would retired following that season.

St. Laurent has the eternal distinction of being the last goalie to wear a full fiberglass mask in North American professional hockey-- NHL and AHL.

Post playing career, St. Laurent was retained by the Rangers a goalie coach and consultant from 1993 until 2004, where he was credited with developing the likes of Mike Richter, Dan Cloutier, and Jason Labarbera. After a year of consulting in Germany, St. Laurent started to do private consultations via appointment only.

A last of as dying breed, literally, St. Laurent didn't have the best teams in front of him, but he was able to hit his groove later on his tenures with teams. Though the team success and personal success came, it seemed that he was never cut out for the NHL for a length of time, due to one thing or another. Even so, he'll always have a space in goalie history for his facial protection.

Absurd Goalie Monday: Bill McKenzie

Getting to the NHL was touch back in the day. It was even tougher to stay in the NHL during the first expansion era due to how bad the teams were when they get expanded. However-- this AGM did the most out of bad situations, coming off of a stellar college career and then rolling with the punches to see if he could make it stick. This week, the profile of Bill McKenzie.

McKenzie started off in the US College route, playing for the Ohio State University starting in the 1969-70 season and ending his tenure three years later in the 1971-72 season. No records were given for those years, but McKenzie played 71 games in that time span; winning the 1972 CCHA Tournament MVP and the 1972 All-Tournament Team as the Ohio State won the CCHA. McKenzie would graduate in 1972 from the Ohio State.

Before the start of the 1972-73 season, McKenzie signed with the Detroit Red Wings. That season, McKenzie would play for the Port Huron Wings of the IHL for 45 games with two shutouts, then going 3-2 in the five playoff appearances. The 1973-74 season, McKenzie would play 13 games with Detroit-- finishing there with a 4-4-4 record, while going 8-13-2 in 29 games with the Virginia Wings of the AHL; as well as playing two games over in Britain with the London Lions. The 1974-75 season, McKenzie would again play 13 games with Detroit, but would put together a 1-9-2 record, while in Virginia; he would compile a 8-6-0 record in 14 games.

During the summer of 1975, McKenzie and Gary Bergman would be traded to the Kansas City Scouts for Peter McDuffe and Glen Burdon. McKenzie would spend the entire 1975-76 season with the Scouts, but put a disappointing 1-16-1 record together in 22 appearances.

The Scouts would move to Colorado to become the Rockies before the 1976-77 season and McKenzie would play in five games for them-- finishing with a 0-2-1 record. Also the season, McKenzie would play in the AHL with the Providence Reds for two games (0-1-1), as well as in the Central League with the Oklahoma City Blazers for six games (2-3-1) and then finishing strong with the Kansas City Blues for 10 games (7-2-1), then going 8-2 in the 10 playoff games to help the Blues win the Adams Cup, taking home the Max McNab Trophy for Playoff MVP.

McKenzie bounced around again in the 1977-78 season, playing in Colorado for 12 games (3-6-2), then to the AHL for the Hampton Gulls for 12 games (7-4-0) and then the Philadelphia Firebirds for five games (1-4-0). The 1978-79 season would have McKenzie playing in the Central League for the Tulsa Oilers, posting a 6-25-1 record in 35 games.

The 1979-80 season would have McKenzie having one last hurrah in the NHL with the Rockies, playing in 26 games and putting together a 9-12-3 record, while also being in the Central League for the Fort Worth Texans for nine games and putting up a 2-5-1 record. After that season, McKenzie would retire, tied for the most career and single-season shutout record for the Rockies, as well as the lowest GAA for a season and career.

Post-playing career, McKenzie went back to his Alma Mater at the Ohio State to be a volunteer assistant coach for the the men's and women's team until the 2009-10 season.

With many bumps in the roads in dealing with a lot of expansion team issues, the drive was still there for McKenzie, which showed when he helped the KC Blues to win the title after struggling with the three other teams. He persevered and showed his true colors when it came to loving the game and succeed at some levels, even if it wasn't the top level.

Absurd Goalie Monday: Don McLeod

In the past, there have been some AGMs with issues when it comes to their health due to playing. This week's AGM's career almost never happened, as he was born with a club foot. With his right leg two inches shorter than his left, it's amazing that he had such a career like he did. This week, the profile of Don McLeod.

McLeod started his trek with his hometown team, the Trail Smoke Eaters, but would go 0-7-0 in his eight appearances in the 1963-64 season. In the 1964-65 season, McLeod moved to the Edmonton Oil Kings in the Central Alberta League. While no stats were around for that season, McLeod played 29 games in the 1965-66 season, helping the Oil Kings win the Memorial Cup over Bobby Orr's Oshawa Generals in six games. In the 1966-67 season, McLeod played in 39 games before closing out his junior career.

Onto his next adventure, McLeod would go to the Central Pro League with the Fort Worth Wings to start the 1967-68 season, playing in 17 games with a 5-6-5 record; but would get chances in the AHL with nine games for the Springfield Kings (6-2-1) and two games with the Quebec Aces (0-1-0). The 1968-69 season saw McLeod playing in the AHL for the Springfield Kings for 34 games and a 15-13-2 record, while also playing with the Baltimore Clippers for sevens and compiling a 2-3-1 record.

McLeod returned to Fort Worth in the 1969-70 season, appearing in 37 games and finishing with an 18-11-8 record. That helped him get a call-up from the Detroit Red Wings in the 1970-71 season for 14 games, but only putting together a 3-7-0 record; but for most the season, McLeod toiled in Fort Worth for 38 games (no record), which was able to get him the Terry Sawchuk Trophy for fewest-goals-against in the season.

However, during the 1971 Reverse Draft, the Philadelphia Flyers picked up McLeod and put him in the AHL with the Providence Reds for 19 games (6-8-3) and then the Richmond Robins for five games (1-3-1), before calling him up to the main squad for four games, where he would go 0-3-1.

In February 1972, McLeod was picked but the Houston Aeros in the WHA Draft and while he was getting bounced around between the NHL and the minors-- McLeod took the chance with the Aeros in the 1972-73 season, going 19-20-1 in 41 games, and 0-3 in the playoffs. McLeod returned to the Aeros in the 1973-74 season and had a strong season, finishing with a 33-13-3 in 49 games, then 12-2 in the playoffs, helping the Aeros to the Avco World Cup. McLeod won the Ben Hastkin Trophy for WHA's best goaltender and First All-Star Team honors.

McLeod was part of the WHA's 1974 Summit Series and would lose the only game he played in, giving up eight goals to the USSR, as the Soviets would go 4-1-3. However, McLeod didn't let that get him down, as he was signed by the Vancouver Blazers for the 1974-75 season, where he would play in 72 games and go 33-35-2.

The Blazers would relocated to Calgary and become the Cowboys, where McLeod would play in the 1975-76 season, compiling a 30-27-3 record in 63 games, then 5-5 in the playoffs. In the 1976-77 season, McLeod played in 67 games for the Cowboys, but only have a 25-34-5 record to show for it.

As the Cowboys folded, they had a dispersal auction where the Quebec Nordiques would pick-up McLeod, but he would only play in seven games for the team in the 1977-78 season with a 2-4-0 record before he was on the move again. McLeod was traded to the Edmonton Oilers midway through the season and play 33 games with the Oilers and finish with a 15-10-1 record before hanging up his pads.

McLeod was 4th in all-time wins for the WHA (157), second in all-time losses (143), and third in career GAA (3.33).

Though his whereabouts are unknown (to me at least), the man they called Smokey (due to where he was from and due to having a cigarette hanging out of his mouth at any given time) beat all the odds and did what he had to in order to play the game he enjoyed. He took a chance by playing to start and then to go to the WHA when he was bounced back and forth from the AHL and NHL.  

Absurd Goalie Monday: Al Smith

While the last name is a common one, the person and career of the AGMs wasn't. From playing with two teams in a single playoffs to getting picked up in two Intra-League Drafts to moving to the WHA to becoming a taxi driver and writer post-playing career; the term "renaissance man" is very valid. This week, the profile of Al Smith.

Smith started his journey with the Toronto Midget Marlboros in the 1961-62 season, also playing time with the Marlboros' Junior A squad. Between the 1962-63 and 1964-65 seasons, Smith played for the Junior B Lakeshore Maroons. Part of the 1964-65 season, Smith went back to the Marlboros' Junior A squad, as well as spending most of the 1965-66 season with the Marlies.

At the end of the 1965-66 season, Smith was called up to the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he would play two games (1-0-0). The 1966-67 season would be a while one, playing one game for Toronto (a loss), but spending most of his time with the Victoria Maple Leafs of the Western League. With Victoria, Smith played 56 games and finished with a 24-26-5 record. The playoffs in the WHL were wild for Smith, as he would play for two teams-- neither were the Victoria team he played for in the regular season. Smith played in six contests for the Vancouver Canucks (1-4-0) and one contest for the California Seals (a loss) in that 1967 playoff season.

The 1967-68 season, Smith moved to the Central League's Tulsa Oilers, finishing with a 23-12-5 record in 40 games, then 2-2 in four playoff games. Smith would only play eight games for Tulsa in the 1968-69 season (no record of note), while playing seven games to Toronto (2-2-1), but would spend most of the season in the AHL for the Rochester Americans, compiling a 13-12-7 record in 34 games.

During the 1969 Intra-League Draft, the Pittsburgh Penguins claimed Smith from the Leafs. Smith played in 46 games during the 1969-70 season for the Penguins, finishing with a 15-20-8 record. Smith also played three games for the Baltimore Clippers of the AHL that season. In the 1969-70 season, Smith stayed in Pittsburgh for the full campaign, going 9-22-9 in his 46 games.

Smith was claimed in the 1971 Intra-League Draft by the Detroit Red Wings, spending the 1971-72 season with Detroit and finishing with a 18-20-4 record.

The WHA came onto the scene in the 1972 and Smith was selected by the New England Whalers. Not happy with his position in Detroit, Smith joined the Whalers for the 1972-73 season, going 31-19-1, while finishing with a 12-3 playoff record to help the Whalers win the first ever Avco World Trophy, despite the trophy not being completed yet. Smith returned to the Whalers in the 1973-74 season, putting together a 30-21-2 record in 55 games and only a 3-4 playoff record. The 1974-75 season has Smith play in 59 contests and record a 33-21-4 record and 2-4 playoff mark.

The Red Wings traded Smith's rights to the Buffalo Sabres at the trade deadline in 1975, but Smith wouldn't play for the Sabres until the 1975-76 season; going 9-3-2 in only 14 games. The 1976-77 season saw Smith play only seven games and an 0-3-0 record.

Becoming a free agent, Smith moved back to the WHA and the New England Whalers starting in the 1977-78 season, playing in 55 games and putting up a 30-20-3 record, but an 0-2 playoff record. Smith would win the Ben Hastkin Trophy for WHA Best Goaltender and named to the WHA First All-Star Team. The 1978-79 season would be a little rougher for Smith, playing in only 40 games with a 17-17-5 record and then a 1-2 playoff record.

As the WHA and NHL merged, Smith followed the Whalers to Hartford and would play 30 games in the 1979-80 season, going 11-10-8. Smith also played two games with the AHL's Springfield Indians and would put up a 1-1-0 record.

Smith would be traded to the Colorado Rockies for cash before the 1980-81 season, where Smith would go 9-18-4 record in 37 games with the Rockies. After that season, Smith would retired from the NHL.

Post playing days, Smith went to BC to sell cars and pick fruit as well as trying to sell the Reuters news service to various clients. When he moved back to Toronto, Smith wrote "Confessions to Anne Sexton", which was turned into a small performance piece. Smith also was a taxi driver while he was writing to make ends meet. While working on another piece called "The Tragedy of Lake Tuscarora", Smith fell ill with pancreatic cancer, which he would succumb to in August of 2002.

While he bounced around a lot of places, Smith finally found his niche in the WHA. While he did only play there for five years-- he revitalized a career that may have ended a lot sooner if it wasn't for a new league to help him out.

Thanks For Coming Out, Detroit Red Wings

(While many have their obtiuaries for teams eliminated.....I'll do the same thing, but in a different/same way as others. How is that going to happen?? Well, I don't know until I do them.This all meant in good fun and to really make you think....or something) 


This is what happens when you go to the well too many times against a team you have beaten so easily in playoffs past. You lose to the team who had a better goalie, younger defense, and timely scorers. It's odds how the top guys on your team in scoring didn't even make much of a peep in the post-season.

Yet, the biggest thing that will trouble the Red Wings this off-season is not another early exit-- it's the question of whether or not the captain of the team will make his triumphant exit or not. It's safe to say the Nicklas Lidstrom has done it all for his team and for his country and for hockey in general. The long he draws out his career, the longer and harder it'll be for Red Wings fans to deal with life without him on the ice. It's almost time to maybe give him a little nudge when it comes to retirement and maybe even a swift kick in order to get other guys in there to ease the transition. Sure, Lidstrom could still play-- but would he want to??

Another topic is what to do with Jimmy Howard. It was another uneasy playoff for him, as he went out quickly and maybe make people wonder about if he can do it in the second-season. The regular season side of things is fine for him, but when all is said and done-- is it really a great season if you make a early exit from when it really matters??

Sure, the Red Wings have the talent, but you almost wonder if the team is as dynamic as some think they actually are. Granted, Pavel Datsyuk missed some time with injuries and the scoring was spread around-- but when you can't get much out of your role guys in the playoffs and have more defensive liabilities than attributes playing key minutes (Todd Bertuzzi and Justin Abdelkader)-- it's a bad sign. Heck, Tomas Holmstrom averaged only nine minutes a game and still was top-three in scoring.

It'll be gut-check time for this team in the summer. The first team to be eliminated and the first team who will have fans questioning coach Mike Babcock and his moves, as well as the players on the team. That all said, there's many more out there who couldn't be happier and know it couldn't have happened to a better team.

Absurd Goalie Monday: Earl Robertson

While nowadays you have a lot of goalie who go through the trenches to get to the NHL, back in the day, it was really a task to go coast-to-coast. Starting in the middle of the continent and then going out west before vaulting east-- this week's AGM was the true road warrior and came from utter obscurity to the top of the mountain and back again. This week, the profile of Earl Robertson.

In 1925, Robertson started his long journey with the Regina Falcons of the Saskatchewan Junior League, playing in eight games and compiling a 4-3-0 record, which going 0-2 in the playoffs, and 0-2 again in the Memorial Cup Finals. The 1926-27 had Robertson stay in Regina, playing six games with a 4-2-0 record, as well as losing his only playoff games. Robertson moved to Vancouver to their Senior League playing for the Vancouver Monarchs in the 1927-28 season, finishing with a 4-2-2 record in eight games, while also going 1-2-1 in four Allan Cup games.

Finally getting out of the amateur ranks, Robertson joined the Pacific Coast League in the 1928-29 season for the Victoria Cubs, compiling a 7-21-6 record for 34 games. Robertson played 31 games in the 1929-30 season and another 10 games for the Tacoma Tigers in the 1930-31 season; but no records are available for those years. Also in the 1930-31 season, Robertson went to the California Pro League, playing and winning his one game with the Oakland Sheiks. Staying in the California League in the 1931-32 season, but playing for the Hollywood Stars; Robertson went 20-7-4 in 31 games before moving along again. Robertson joined the Edmonton Eskimos of the Western Canadian/Northwest Leagues for the 1932-33 and 1933-34 seasons for a total of 60 games, compiling 10 shut-outs, but no win-loss records are available.

After dealing out west, Robertson moved to the Windsor Bulldogs of the International League for the 1934-35 season, playing in 40 games and finishing with a 14-19-7 record; while in the 1935-36 season, Robertson improved himself with an 18-19-11 record with the Bulldogs, as well as an 0-2-0 record with the Rochester Cardinals of the IHL that same season.

In a world of inter-league trades, the Bulldogs traded Robertson to the NHL's Detroit Red Wings for cash before the 1936-37 season, to which the Red Wings would sent Robertson back to the IHL and the Pittsburgh Hornets-- where he would go 14-15-0 in 29 games. However, Robertson's shining moment would come in the 1937 Stanley Cup Finals, where he was called into duty to fill in for the injured Normie Smith. Robertson went 4-2 in the playoffs, helping the Red Wings to their second-straight Stanley Cup championship. Robertson also holds the distinction of stopping the first penalty shot given in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Though, the celebration was short lived, as Robertson was on the move again-- this time to the New York Americans for John Doran and cash. Robertson got thrown into the starting role for the Americans in the 1937-38 season, playing in 48 games and compiling a 19-18-11 record and 3-3 in six playoff games, while the 1938-39 season yielded a 17-18-10 record in 46 games. The 1939-40 season was a dismal one for Robertson, going 15-29-4 in 48 games, while going 1-2 in three playoff matches.

Robertson came to a cross-roads starting in the 1940-41 season, playing in 36 games for the Americans and going 6-22-8, before he was sent to the AHL's Springfield Indians, posting a 4-5-2 record in 11 games and 1-2 in the playoffs. While the Americans moved to Brooklyn in the 1941-42 season, Robertson didn't spend much time there-- playing only 12 games in the NHL (3-8-1) before settling in at the AHL level with Springfield, finishing there with a 24-14-3 record in 41 games down there, then 2-1 in three playoff games.

After sitting out the 1942-43 season, Robertson played the 1943-44 season with the Edmonton Vics of the Senior Leagues, though Robertson would only play in exhibition games and three Allan Cup games, where he would lose all three before retiring for good. Robertson passed on in 1979 at the age of 67. In 2008, Robertson was inducted into the Wetaskiwin and County Sports Hall of Fame in Wetaskiwin, Alberta.

It was a long strange trip for Robertson, showing him every aspect of hockey life and pretty much every part of the globe in a time where hockey wasn't as popular as it is today. When he finally made the show, Robertson had the highest high-- but then suffered struggling seasons afterwords and then flamed out it would seem. Even so, all the travels didn't deter Robertson from his dream, which he got and did what few could-- a Stanley Cup.

Absurd Goalie Monday: Eddie Mio

While he may not be notable to most, he was involved in a deal that changed the landscape of hockey and could have also been a guy who was bounced around most between both the WHA and NHL before ever playing a game. This week, the profile of Eddie Mio.

After spending a year with the Junior-A Windsor Spitfires, Mio went the NCAA route, playing with the Colorado College Tigers starting in the 1972-73 season. In his first season, Mio got into 23 games and would finish with a 6-17-0 record, while in his sophomore season; Mio only got into 13 games and compiling a 4-7-2 record. In the 1974 Draft, Mio was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the NHL and the Vancouver Blazers in the WHA, however Mio would stay at Colorado College-- being named to the WCHA Second All-Star team and being named NCAA West First Team All-American. During his senior season of 1975-76, Mio put together a 15-18-1 record in 34 games, being named to the NCAA West First Team All-American squad again, as well as WCHA First All-Star team, as well.

As his rights were bounced around the WHA and NHL, Mio turned pro in the 1976-77 season in the Southern Hockey League with the Tidewater Sharks, playing in 19 games there, as well as playing for the Erie Blades of the North Americal League for 17 games.

Things turned for Mio, as he played with the AHL's Hampton Gulls in the 1977-78 season-- playing for 19 games with a 5-9-0 record. That season, Mio's rights ended up with the WHA Indianapolis Racers, going 6-8-0 in 17 appearances there. In the 1978-79 season, Mio bounced all around-- playing in the Central League with the Dallas Black Hawks for seven games (4-3-0) and then playing in only five games for the Racers (2-2-1) before he would be involved in one of the biggest trade at the time.

In November of 1978, Mio-- along with his best friend Wayne Gretzky and decent associate Peter Driscoll-- were traded to the Edmonton Oilers for $700,000 and future considerations. The rest of the 1978-79 season with the Oilers, Mio went 7-10-0 in 22 appearances.

As the Oilers moved to the NHL, so did Mio-- who had to be reclaimed by his NHL rightsholders (Minnesota North Stars) and the re-reclaimed by the Oilers in a Priority Draft. With the Oilers in 1979-80, Mio played in 34 games and put together a 9-13-5 record. Staying with the Oilers in the 1980-81 season, Mio got more games in (43) and finished up with a 16-15-9 record. The Oiler sent Mio to the Central League's Wichita Wind for the start of the 1981-82 season, in which Mio went 3-8-0 in 11 appearances.

Yet, the Oilers would put Mio on the move again, this time sending him to the New York Rangers in December of 1981 for Lance Nethery. The rest of the 1981-82 season, Mio went 13-6-5 behind the Rangers, then went 4-3 in eight playoff games. Mio stayed in New York for the 1982-83 season, posting a 16-18-6 record in the regular season in 41 games, then a 5-3 playoff record in eight games.

In the summer of 1983, Mio, Eddie Johnstone, and Ron Duguay were traded from the Rangers to the Detroit Red Wings for Willie Huber, Mike Blaisdell and Mark Osborne. Mio spent most of the 1983-84 season with Detroit, finishing with a 7-11-3 record in 24 games, but he also spent time in the AHL with the Adirondack Red Wings, playing four games with a 1-1-2 record. The 1984-85 season saw Mio spent most of the season in Adriondack, playing in 33 contests and ending up with a 19-12-1 record; also spending seven games in Detroit with a 1-3-2 record to show. Mio split the 1985-86 seasons again, playing in 18 games with Detroit (2-7-0) and eight with Adirondack (4-1-3) before calling it a career at the end of the season.

After hockey, Mio got into the player agent game working with IMG Agency and representing players such at Sergei Fedorov, Brent Johnson, and Joe Thornton. When he was with the Oilers, his bond with Wayne Gretzky was strong, so much so that Gretzky made him best man, as well as giving him a position with the Phoenix Coyotes when Gretzky owned part of the team. Mio also tried to run for Mayor of Windsor Ontario in 2010, but dropped out of the race before elections

While he was able to stay in hockey in one way or another, it just seemed that Mio never really got the chance to sustain his play for more than a year or so. Even with that, he made his mark on the WHA and NHL, as well as the college ranks. Plus, he was able to get a great friendship with one of the most notable hockey players to strap on skates.