Don Blackburn was a professional ice hockey player who played for various teams in the National Hockey League (NHL) and the World Hockey Association (WHA) during his career. Blackburn was born in Kirkland Lake, Ontario, Canada, in 1943, and began playing hockey at a young age.
Blackburn started his professional career in the NHL with the Boston Bruins in the early 1960s. He played for the Bruins for a few seasons before being traded to the New York Rangers in 1965. Blackburn played for the Rangers for a few seasons before being traded again, this time to the Detroit Red Wings in 1968.
After playing for the Red Wings for a few seasons, Blackburn was traded to the Los Angeles Kings in 1971. He played for the Kings for a few seasons before being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1974. Blackburn played for the Penguins for a few seasons before retiring from the NHL in 1977.
After retiring from the NHL, Blackburn played for the Cincinnati Stingers in the WHA for a few seasons. He retired from professional hockey in 1981.
Throughout his career, Blackburn was known for his speed and his ability to score goals. He was also known for his toughness and his willingness to stand up for his teammates. Blackburn was a fan favorite wherever he played, and he was respected by his fellow players for his skill and his work ethic.
After retiring from hockey, Blackburn worked as a scout for the NHL's New York Islanders for several years. He also worked as a coach and a scout for various minor league teams. Blackburn passed away in 2016 at the age of 73.
In conclusion, Don Blackburn was a talented and respected professional hockey player who played for various teams in the NHL and the WHA during his career. He was known for his speed, his scoring ability, and his toughness, and he was a fan favorite wherever he played. Blackburn's contributions to the sport of hockey will not be forgotten, and he will always be remembered as a great player and a great person.
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