Larry Cahan was a professional ice hockey player who played as a defenseman for various teams in the National Hockey League (NHL) during his career. He was born on February 5, 1943, in Fort William, Ontario, Canada.
Cahan began his hockey career in the minor leagues, playing for the St. Paul Rangers in the 1962-63 season. He was then drafted by the New York Rangers in 1963 and made his NHL debut in the 1964-65 season. He played for the Rangers for six seasons, from 1964 to 1970, and was known for his physical play and defensive skills.
In 1970, Cahan was traded to the Detroit Red Wings, where he played for two seasons. He then played for the Pittsburgh Penguins for two seasons, from 1972 to 1974, before retiring from professional hockey.
Throughout his career, Cahan was known for his toughness and willingness to stand up for his teammates. He was also a solid defensive player, known for his shot-blocking and penalty-killing abilities.
Cahan's best season statistically was in the 1968-69 season, when he scored 10 goals and 21 assists for 31 points in 76 games. He also had a career-high 139 penalty minutes that season.
After retiring from hockey, Cahan worked as a scout for the Los Angeles Kings and later as an assistant coach for the Vancouver Canucks. He also worked as a color commentator for NHL games on television.
Cahan passed away on December 18, 1992, at the age of 49, due to complications from AIDS. He was one of the first NHL players to publicly acknowledge his diagnosis and worked to raise awareness about the disease before his death.
Overall, Larry Cahan was a tough and skilled defenseman who played for several NHL teams during his career. He was known for his physical play and defensive abilities and had a successful career both on and off the ice.
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