Ross Lonsberry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ross Lonsberry |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Born | February 7, 1947 Humboldt, Saskatchewan, Canada |
||
| Died | May 4, 2014 (aged 67) Santa Clarita, California, U.S. |
||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) | ||
| Weight | 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb) | ||
| Position | Left Wing | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for | Boston Bruins Los Angeles Kings Philadelphia Flyers Pittsburgh Penguins |
||
| Playing career | 1966–1981 | ||
David Ross Lonsberry (born February 7, 1947 – died May 4, 2014) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played as a left winger. David played for 15 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was part of the Boston Bruins, Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins. David is best known for his time with the Philadelphia Flyers. He helped them win two Stanley Cup championships in the mid-1970s.
Contents
David Lonsberry's Hockey Journey
Starting Out in Junior Hockey
David Lonsberry began his hockey career as a teenager. He played for the Estevan Bruins junior team. He was amazing in his last junior season. He scored 144 points in just 60 games! He also scored 23 goals in 25 playoff games. This helped his team reach the Memorial Cup semifinals.
After junior hockey, David spent three years playing for the Oklahoma City Blazers. This team was a farm team for the Boston Bruins. He also played a few games with the Bruins in the NHL during these years.
Playing for the Los Angeles Kings
In 1970, the Los Angeles Kings really wanted David. They traded for him, giving up two first-round draft picks. With the Kings, he became a steady player who was good at both offense and defense. He scored 20 or more goals in each of his two full seasons there. He was even chosen to play in the NHL All-Star Game in 1972.
Becoming a "Broad Street Bully" with the Flyers
On January 28, 1972, David was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers. This trade was one of the biggest in league history at the time. It was with the Flyers that David found his greatest success. He played on a line with Rick MacLeish and Gary Dornhoefer. His tough and determined style of play fit perfectly with the Flyers. This team was known as the "Broad Street Bullies."
David scored over 20 goals in three of his six and a half seasons in Philadelphia. He was a key player when the Flyers won two Stanley Cup championships in a row. His best season was in 1974. That year, he scored a career-high 32 goals. He then added 13 points in 17 playoff games. This helped the Flyers win their first Stanley Cup.
Finishing His Career with the Penguins
In 1978, David was traded one last time to the Pittsburgh Penguins. He continued to be a strong player for three years with this team. The Penguins were focusing on younger players. So, they did not renew his contract. David retired after the 1981 season.
David Lonsberry played 968 games in his NHL career. He scored 256 goals and made 310 assists, totaling 566 points. He also played in 100 playoff games, scoring 21 goals and 25 assists.
Life After Hockey
After retiring from hockey, David Lonsberry worked in the commercial insurance business. He lived in the Los Angeles area. David passed away from cancer on May 4, 2014.
