Dunc Wilson Explained

Position:Goaltender
Catches:Left
Height Ft:5
Height In:11
Weight Lb:175
Played For:Philadelphia Flyers
Vancouver Canucks
Toronto Maple Leafs
New York Rangers
Pittsburgh Penguins
Birth Date:March 22, 1948
Birth Place:Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Death Place:Utila, Honduras
Career Start:1968
Career End:1979
Dunc Wilson

Duncan Shepherd Wilson (March 22, 1948 – October 8, 2023) was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who spent ten seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) between 1969 and 1979, with the Philadelphia Flyers, Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, and Pittsburgh Penguins. Wilson made his NHL debut with Philadelphia in 1970, and then spent three seasons with the expansion Canucks. Traded to Toronto in 1973, he played part of two seasons there before going to New York in 1975, and then to Pittsburgh for two seasons before finishing his NHL career with the Canucks in 1979.

Playing career

Wilson was originally signed by the Boston Bruins and rose through their junior system, but was drafted away by the Philadelphia Flyers in 1968 just before turning professional. He spent two seasons with the Quebec Aces, Philadelphia's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, appearing in a single NHL game for the Flyers in the 1969–70 NHL season, on February 26, 1970 against the Chicago Black Hawks.

Wilson was claimed by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1970 NHL Expansion Draft. In Vancouver, he was one of three goaltenders carried by the team in their inaugural campaign. His first season was rocky, as he posted a dismal 3–25–2 record in 35 appearances. However, he was recognized as having significant potential, and at age 22 was viewed as the club's long-term starter over Charlie Hodge, the team's main goaltending option that year, who was 37.

When Hodge retired following a contract dispute, Wilson became Vancouver's starting goalie for 1971–72. He appeared in 53 games for the Canucks, posting a 16–30–3 record (his backups went 4–20–5) and a 3.61 GAA. In 1972–73, he had another solid year, finishing 13–21–5 with a 3.94 GAA.

In 1973, Vancouver acquired highly rated veteran Gary "Suitcase" Smith to be the team's starting goalie and Wilson was dealt to the Toronto Maple Leafs. He spent nearly two seasons in Toronto backing up Doug Favell before being waived, and he was claimed by the New York Rangers late in the 1974–75 season. He backed up John Davidson for the Rangers in 1975–76, but won just five games and being demoted briefly to the minors for the first time since 1970.

Dealt to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a draft pick, Wilson bounced back in 1976–77. As Pittsburgh's starting netminder, he appeared in 45 games and posted an 18–19–8 record and a sparkling 2.95 GAA along with five shutouts. In the process, he was named team MVP by both the franchise and their booster club. However, in 1977–78 he lost his starting job to Denis Herron, and posted a 5–11–3 record with a dismal 4.83 GAA.

Wilson started the 1978–79 season in the AHL after losing the backup job to rookie Greg Millen, and was sold back to the Canucks a month into the season. However, his performance was no better in Vancouver as he won just twice in 17 appearances, and he retired at the end of the season.

Following his retirement he sued the Canucks, alleging that they did not properly treat a mole which turned out to be skin cancer, and which later required extensive surgery to remove, helping to prematurely end his career. He lost his $400,000 lawsuit in front of the Supreme Court of British Columbia on November 18, 1983.[1]

In 287 career NHL games, Wilson posted an 80–150–33 record along with eight shutouts and a 3.74 GAA.

Death

Wilson died on October 8, 2023 in Utila, Honduras, where he had been living for several years.[2] [3] [4]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGP W L T MIN GA SV%GP W L T MIN GA SO GAA SV%
1964–65Oshawa GeneralsOHA2 70 8 0 6.86
1965–66Niagara Falls FlyersOHA22 137 82 1 3.59 4 1 2 1 240 17 0 4.25
1966–67Niagara Falls FlyersOHA1 0 1 0 40 6 0 9.00
1966–67Peterborough PetesOHA14 840 56 0 4.42
1967–68Oshawa GeneralsOHA30 1800 159 1 5.30
1968–69Quebec AcesAHL37 11 14 9 1814 98 0 3.24 15 7 8 0 835 38 0 2.73
1969–70Philadelphia FlyersNHL1 0 1 0 60 3 0 3.02 .885
1969–70Quebec AcesAHL57 3288 191 2 3.49 4 2 2 0 272 10 0 2.21
1970–71Vancouver CanucksNHL35 3 25 2 1784 128 0 4.30 .881
1971–72Vancouver CanucksNHL53 16 30 3 2864 173 1 3.62 .887
1972–73Vancouver CanucksNHL43 13 21 5 2418 159 1 3.94 .880
1973–74Toronto Maple LeafsNHL24 9 11 3 1403 68 1 2.91 .897
1974–75Toronto Maple LeafsNHL25 8 11 4 1391 86 0 3.71 .880
1974–75New York RangersNHL3 1 2 0 179 13 0 4.35 .856
1975–76New York RangersNHL20 5 9 3 1076 76 0 4.24 .862
1975–76Baltimore ClippersAHL6 3 2 0 325 15 1 2.77
1976–77Pittsburgh PenguinsNHL45 18 19 7 2622 129 5 2.95 .906
1977–78Pittsburgh PenguinsNHL21 5 11 3 1179 95 0 4.84 .842
1978–79Vancouver CanucksNHL17 2 10 2 834 58 0 4.17 .876
1978–79Dallas Black HawksCHL3 2 1 0 180 11 0 3.67 .880
1978–79Binghamton DustersAHL3 0 2 0 109 11 0 6.03 .833
NHL Totals 287 80 150 32 15811 988 8 3.75 .883

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sports People: Ex-Goalie Loses Suit. The New York Times. November 19, 1983. July 24, 2023.
  2. Web site: Canucks make heartbreaking announcement: Historical player passed away. Gosselin. Felip. October 21, 2023. Canucks Daily. October 21, 2023.
  3. News: Williams . Rob . Original Canucks goalie Dunc Wilson has passed away . 24 October 2023 . Daily Hive . 23 October 2023.
  4. https://www.nhl.com/news/dunc-wilson-remembered-as-free-spirit-who-loved-life Late goalie Wilson remembered as free spirit who loved life on, off ice