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Don McLeod
Don is another outstanding professional athlete from the Trail area.
Don played major professional hockey from 1970 to 1978. He first played in the Detroit organization in the NHL and was acquired by the Philadelphia Flyers in 1971. In 1972, he was selected by the Houston Aeros in the newly formed World Hockey Association and played in the League for the next 6 years. Other teams he played for included the Vancouver Blazers, the Calgary Cowboys, the Quebec Nordiques and the Edmonton Oilers.
In 1974, Don had a standout campaign leading the League with a goals against average of 2.56 and backstopping the Houston Aeros to the Avco World Championship. Also in 1974, Don was the backup goaltender with Team WHA in their series with the Soviet National Team. Don?s career highlights include the 1974 Avco World Championship, the Ben Haskin Trophy for the best goaltender in 1974, the Terry Sawchuk Trophy for the fewest goals against in the Central Hockey League in 1971. Don was also named to the WHA?s first All Star Team in 1974 and had a 3.33 lifetime goals against average which is in the top 10 in the WHA and recorded 11 shutouts, which is 4th in the WHA history.
Don is recognized as being the first goaltender in pro hockey to use the curved stick, a common practice among today?s goaltenders.
In the 1973/74 season, Don led the WHA in wins with 33 and a goals against average of 2.56. In that year, he led the League in playoff games played 14, minutes played 842, wins 12, and goals against average 2.49. In 1974/75, he led the WHA in games played 72, minutes played 4,184 and wins 33. In 1976/77, he led the WHA in games played 67.
Don played 18 NHL regular season games, 332 WHA regular season games, and 31 WHA playoff games.
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