Don Blackburn
Born (1938-05-14)May 14, 1938
Kirkland Lake, Ontario, Canada
Died February 4, 2023(2023-02-04) (aged 84)
Sarasota, Florida, U.S.
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 175 lb (79 kg; 12 st 7 lb)
Position Left wing
Shot Left
Played for Boston Bruins
Philadelphia Flyers
New York Rangers
New York Islanders
Minnesota North Stars
New England Whalers
Playing career 19591976

John Donald Blackburn (May 14, 1938 – February 4, 2023)[1][2] was a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers, New York Islanders and Minnesota North Stars. He also played in the World Hockey Association (WHA) with the New England Whalers. After retiring in 1976 he became a coach with the Whalers, and remained in that position through 1981, serving as their first coach when they joined the NHL in 1979 as the Hartford Whalers.

Playing career

Except for a six-game stint with the Boston Bruins, Blackburn spent the majority of the early portion of his career with various minor league teams. He was a dominant force with the Quebec Aces of the AHL during the mid-1960s, including a 36-goal performance in 1965–66. He was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL expansion draft and was a regular contributor during the first two years of the fledgling team's existence.[3] In 1969, he was traded to the New York Rangers, but he played sparingly in two years with the team. He was claimed by the New York Islanders in the 1972 expansion draft, but was traded to the Minnesota North Stars late in the season. He finished his career with three seasons with the WHA's Whalers, scoring 59 points in 1973–74.

Coaching career

Blackburn was the first ever Hartford Whalers coach. He led them to a 27–34–19 record in the 1979–80 NHL season. In the playoffs, the Whalers were swept by Montreal in three games. Blackburn was fired midway through the 1980–81 season after the Whalers sat with a record of 15–29–16. He was replaced by interim coach Larry Pleau.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GPGAPtsPIM GPGAPtsPIM
1956–57 Hamilton Tiger Cubs OHA 52981717 40220
1957–58 Hamilton Tiger Cubs OHA 5215183337 1543716
1958–69 Vancouver Canucks WHL 5015163114
1959–60 Vancouver Canucks WHL 4187158 111122
1959–60 Providence Reds AHL 161128
1960–61 Kingston Frontenacs EPHL 5914314527 51010
1961–62 Kingston Frontenacs EPHL 5113243730 11212145
1962–63 Boston Bruins NHL 60554
1962–63 Kingston Frontenacs EPHL 6742549622 54480
1963–64 Quebec Aces AHL 6319193839 91129
1964–65 Quebec Aces AHL 7020426234 50220
1965–66 Quebec Aces AHL 7236427851 61454
1966–67 Rochester Americans AHL 7020375724 1333610
1967–68 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 679202923 73038
1968–69 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 48791636 40002
1968–69 Baltimore Clippers AHL 126131910
1969–70 New York Rangers NHL 30000 10000
1969–70 Buffalo Bisons AHL 6827447140 1357126
1970–71 Rochester Americans AHL 6225446922
1970–71 New York Rangers NHL 10000
1971–72 Providence Reds AHL 7634659912 51342
1972–73 New York Islanders NHL 567101720
1972–73 Minnesota North Stars NHL 40004
1973–74 New England Whalers WHA 7520395918 72464
1974–75 New England Whalers WHA 5018325016 51232
1974–75 Cape Codders NAHL 22240
1975–76 New England Whalers WHA 212356
1975–76 Cape Codders NAHL 84480
WHA totals 146407411440 123696
NHL totals 18523446787 1230310

NHL coaching record

TeamYearRegular seasonPost season
GWLTPtsFinishResult
New England Whalers (WHA)1975–76 3514183(31)3rd in East(interim coach)
New England Whalers (WHA)1978–79 9450(8)4th in WHALost in semi-finals
Hartford Whalers (NHL)1979–80 80273419734th in NorrisLost in preliminary round
Hartford Whalers (NHL)1980–81 6015296(46)4th in Norris(fired)
NHL Total140426325

References

  1. John D. Blackburn Sr.
  2. Meltzer, Bill (February 19, 2023). "Flyers Family Mourns Don Blackburn". Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  3. Sherman, David (2003). Philadelphia Flyers Encyclopedia. Sports Publishing LLC. p. 13. ISBN 1582615772. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
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