Dave Balon was from Wacaw, Saskatchewan. Like seemingly every other hockey player from that province, he was tough. While just average in size – 5' 10” 180lbs – he played a very physical game, and was very aggressive along the boards and in front of the opposition net.
It was Balon's physicality in the 1969-70 playoffs which really drew my attention to him. As a member of the Blueshirts' Bulldog Line – with Walt Tkaczuk and Bill Fairbairn – he gave the Big, Bad Bruins a good taste of the brand of hockey they were famous for. His one goal and one assist in that six-game series might not be impressive. His 32 PIM give a better picture of the game he played.
During the regular season, Dave better demonstrated his ability to produce offensively, while playing a very physical game. In 76 games in 1969-70, he scored 33 goals – to lead the Rangers – and picked up 37 assists. His 70 points were third on the team, seven behind his line-mate Tkaczuk, and four behind Jean Ratelle. The other Bulldog – rookie Fairbairn – was fourth on the team in points. Balon was even more productive in 1970-71, scoring 36 goals, and again leading New York in that category.
While Dave's most productive seasons were with the Rangers, I'm sure he would have insisted that his best seasons – all things considered – were with the Canadiens. After the 1962-63 season – after playing parts of four seasons in New York – he was sent to Montreal with Gump Worsley, Leon Rochefort and Len Ronson. Jacques Plante, Phil Goyette and Don Marshall went to the Blueshirts. His first season with the Habs – 1963-64 – Balon scored 24 goals, this at a time in the history of the NHL where a 20-goal season was a big deal. He scored 18 goals in 63 games in 1964-65.
Dave made it to the Stanley Cup Final in 1964-65, 1965-66 and 1966-67. He hoisted the Cup those first two seasons. After the 1966-67 season – where Montreal lost to Toronto in the Final – Expansion arrived. Balon was selected by the Minnesota North Stars. After the 1967-68 season, he was back in New York. During the 1971-72 season, Dave was traded to the Vancouver Canucks. By this time, he was in the early stages of multiple sclerosis, which was robbing him of the energy which had been the hallmark of his career. As a result, he picked up just 5 points in 57 games in 1972-73. His professional career ended in 1973-74, after just nine games with the WHA's Quebec Nordiques – picking up zero points.
It was Balon's physicality in the 1969-70 playoffs which really drew my attention to him. As a member of the Blueshirts' Bulldog Line – with Walt Tkaczuk and Bill Fairbairn – he gave the Big, Bad Bruins a good taste of the brand of hockey they were famous for. His one goal and one assist in that six-game series might not be impressive. His 32 PIM give a better picture of the game he played.
During the regular season, Dave better demonstrated his ability to produce offensively, while playing a very physical game. In 76 games in 1969-70, he scored 33 goals – to lead the Rangers – and picked up 37 assists. His 70 points were third on the team, seven behind his line-mate Tkaczuk, and four behind Jean Ratelle. The other Bulldog – rookie Fairbairn – was fourth on the team in points. Balon was even more productive in 1970-71, scoring 36 goals, and again leading New York in that category.
While Dave's most productive seasons were with the Rangers, I'm sure he would have insisted that his best seasons – all things considered – were with the Canadiens. After the 1962-63 season – after playing parts of four seasons in New York – he was sent to Montreal with Gump Worsley, Leon Rochefort and Len Ronson. Jacques Plante, Phil Goyette and Don Marshall went to the Blueshirts. His first season with the Habs – 1963-64 – Balon scored 24 goals, this at a time in the history of the NHL where a 20-goal season was a big deal. He scored 18 goals in 63 games in 1964-65.
Dave made it to the Stanley Cup Final in 1964-65, 1965-66 and 1966-67. He hoisted the Cup those first two seasons. After the 1966-67 season – where Montreal lost to Toronto in the Final – Expansion arrived. Balon was selected by the Minnesota North Stars. After the 1967-68 season, he was back in New York. During the 1971-72 season, Dave was traded to the Vancouver Canucks. By this time, he was in the early stages of multiple sclerosis, which was robbing him of the energy which had been the hallmark of his career. As a result, he picked up just 5 points in 57 games in 1972-73. His professional career ended in 1973-74, after just nine games with the WHA's Quebec Nordiques – picking up zero points.
