Dave Balon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dave Balon |
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| Born | August 2, 1938 Wakaw, Saskatchewan, Canada |
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| Died | May 29, 2007 (aged 68) Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada |
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| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) | ||
| Weight | 180 lb (82 kg; 12 st 12 lb) | ||
| Position | Left wing | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for | New York Rangers Montreal Canadiens Minnesota North Stars Vancouver Canucks Quebec Nordiques |
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| Playing career | 1959–1974 | ||
David Alexander Balon (born August 2, 1938 – died May 29, 2007) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player and coach. He was known as a strong left wing who played for many teams in the NHL, including the New York Rangers and Montreal Canadiens. Balon played for 14 seasons in the NHL, from 1959 to 1973. He was a talented player who won two Stanley Cup championships.
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Playing Career: Dave Balon's Hockey Journey
Dave Balon started his hockey journey playing for the Prince Albert Mintos in a junior league called the SJHL. In 1958, he became a professional player and joined the New York Rangers' farm team.
First Steps in the NHL
Balon made his first appearance in the NHL during the 1959–60 season. He played three games for the Rangers. Over the next two years, he often got called up to play with the main team. He played 43 more NHL games, scoring 5 goals and getting 18 points. By the 1962–63 season, he became a full-time player for the Rangers. He played in all 70 games that season, scoring 11 goals and earning 24 points.
Joining the Montreal Canadiens and Winning Cups
For the 1963–64 season, Balon was traded to the Montreal Canadiens. This was a big trade involving seven players, including famous goalies Jacques Plante and Gump Worsley. Balon had an amazing season in Montreal, scoring 24 goals, which was the third-highest on the team. He also got 42 points.
He continued to play well in 1964–65, getting 41 points. That season, he helped the Canadiens win the Stanley Cup Championship! Balon won his second Stanley Cup in 1966. He even helped set up Henri Richard's winning goal in overtime.
Time with the Minnesota North Stars
In 1967, Balon was chosen by the Minnesota North Stars in the Expansion Draft. He played very well for the North Stars, setting new personal bests. He had 32 assists and 47 points. He was also chosen to play in the NHL All-Star Game. He had played in two All-Star games before with Montreal, but this was his first time being truly selected by the league. He was especially strong in the playoffs, scoring 13 points in 14 games. He led the NHL in playoff assists with 9.
Return to the New York Rangers
After that great season, Balon was traded back to his first NHL team, the New York Rangers. His first year back, 1968–69, was okay, with 10 goals and 31 points. But in 1969–70, he became a top player. He finished 7th in the league with 33 goals and 10th overall with 70 points.
He had another fantastic season in 1970–71. He scored a career-high 36 goals, again placing him in the top 10 in the league. Fans even voted him the 'Most Popular Ranger' on a team that had many future Hall-of-Famers. What made his scoring even more impressive was that he was also one of the team's best defensive forwards. He often had to guard the other team's star players.
Later Career and Health Challenges
During the 1971–72 season, Balon was traded to the Vancouver Canucks. He finished the season with 23 goals and 47 points, which were good numbers. However, he wasn't playing quite as strongly as he had in New York. It turned out that he was starting to develop multiple sclerosis, a health condition that affects the brain and spinal cord. He wouldn't be officially diagnosed until after his playing career.
In 1972–73, Balon's health condition made it very hard for him to play. Just two seasons before, he was one of the top offensive players in the league. But this season, he only scored 3 goals and 5 points in 57 games. Sadly, many people in Vancouver didn't understand what was happening. They thought he wasn't trying hard enough or was just "washed-up."
Balon tried to play professional hockey one more time in the 1973–74 season. He played for the Quebec Nordiques in the WHA. But after only 7 games, he had to retire because of his health.
Post-Hockey Career: Life After the Ice
After he retired from playing, Dave Balon received a proper diagnosis of his health condition. He then became a coach, spending several seasons as the head coach for the Humboldt Broncos in the SJHL.
Later in his life, Balon faced challenges because his health condition worsened. It made it difficult for him to work. However, he received help from the NHL Players' Association (NHLPA) and other hockey organizations. He continued to receive support until he passed away from multiple sclerosis in 2007. He had lived with the diagnosis for over 30 years.
Awards and Achievements
- 1965 NHL All Star (Montreal)
- 1967 NHL All Star (Montreal)
- 1968 NHL All Star (Minnesota)
- 1971 NHL All Star (NYR)
- NHL leader in playoff assists (9, 1968)
- Led New York Rangers in goals (1969–70, 1970–71)
