Robert Larry Mickey (October 21, 1943 — July 23, 1982) was a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Chicago Black Hawks, New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers and Buffalo Sabres between 1965 and 1975.[1]

Larry Mickey
Born (1943-10-21)October 21, 1943
Lacombe, Alberta, Canada
Died July 23, 1982(1982-07-23) (aged 38)
Buffalo, New York, U.S.
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 175 lb (79 kg; 12 st 7 lb)
Position Right wing
Shot Right
Played for Chicago Black Hawks
New York Rangers
Toronto Maple Leafs
Montreal Canadiens
Los Angeles Kings
Philadelphia Flyers
Buffalo Sabres
Playing career 1964–1975
1978–1981

Playing career

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While playing with the Omaha Knights, Mickey was named to the first team of the Central Hockey League All-Stars during the 1966-67 season, and his team advanced to the Adams Cup finals that same year.

On April 16, 1967, the night before the third game of the Adams Cup best-of-seven play-off series between the Omaha Knights and the Oklahoma City Blazers, Mickey was driving with his wife, Eleanor, on a country road near Seward, Nebraska late on Sunday night. The road's visibility was reduced to nearly zero as a result of blowing dust from a nearby field, and Mickey was involved in a two-car, head-on collision. Mickey suffered cuts, bruises and a broken left arm, while Eleanor was killed in the crash.[2]

While Mickey had many accomplishments in the NHL, he was also known for his community involvement with youth hockey and children with special needs. Mickey is recognized as one of the early founders of the Buffalo Jr. Sabres. This franchise was established in Buffalo, New York in 1975. During its history, a half-dozen former Buffalo Sabres served as head coach or assistant coach. Mickey coached the team from 1975 to the end of the 1977 season.

Death

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Mickey committed suicide in Buffalo on July 23, 1982.[3][4]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1961–62 Moose Jaw Canucks SJHL
1961–62 Moose Jaw Canucks M-Cup 4 2 1 3 10
1962–63 Moose Jaw Canucks SJHL 54 32 38 70 85 6 1 5 6 23
1962–63 Calgary Stampeders WHL 2 0 1 1 0
1963–64 Moose Jaw Canucks SJHL 62 69 73 142 139 5 7 2 9 6
1963–64 St. Louis Braves CPHL 1 0 0 0 0 5 1 2 3 2
1963–64 Estevan Bruins M-Cup 5 1 1 2 8
1963–64 Edmonton Oil Kings M-Cup 4 0 0 0 2
1964–65 Chicago Black Hawks NHL 1 0 0 0 0
1964–65 St. Louis Braves CPHL 52 16 21 37 85
1964–65 Buffalo Bisons AHL 1 0 1 1 2
1965–66 New York Rangers NHL 7 0 0 0 2
1965–66 Minnesota Rangers CPHL 38 14 25 39 50 7 5 5 10 2
1966–67 New York Rangers NHL 8 0 0 0 0
1966–67 Omaha Knights CPHL 63 33 41 74 86 9 5 10 15 4
1967–68 New York Rangers NHL 4 0 2 2 0
1967–68 Buffalo Bisons AHL 30 9 17 26 48
1968–69 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 55 8 19 27 43 3 0 0 0 5
1969–70 Montreal Canadiens NHL 21 4 4 8 4
1969–70 Montreal Voyageurs AHL 50 24 38 62 90
1970–71 Los Angeles Kings NHL 65 6 12 18 46
1971–72 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 14 1 2 3 8
1971–72 Buffalo Sabres NHL 4 0 1 1 0
1971–72 Salt Lake Golden Eagles WHL 53 19 30 49 92
1972–73 Buffalo Sabres NHL 77 15 9 24 47 6 1 0 1 5
1973–74 Buffalo Sabres NHL 13 3 4 7 8
1973–74 Cincinnati Swords AHL 9 2 3 5 5
1974–75 Buffalo Sabres NHL 23 2 0 2 2
1978–79 Utica Mohawks NEHL 12 5 4 9 21
1979–80 Utica Mohawks EHL 4 0 4 4 14
1980–81 Hampton Aces EHL 38 5 14 19 50
NHL totals 292 39 53 92 160 9 1 0 1 10

References

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  1. ^ Times, Special to the New York (1982-09-08). "AFTER HOCKEY, LIFE WAS TOO DIFFICULT". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-11-10.
  2. ^ All-Star's Wife Killed: The Montréal Gazette, April 17, 1967, Page 33
  3. ^ Podnieks, Andrew (2003). Players: The Ultimate A-Z Guide of Everyone Who Has Ever Played in the NHL. Toronto: Doubleday Canada. p. 584. ISBN 0-385-25999-9.
  4. ^ "After Hockey, Life was too Difficult", New York Times, September 8, 1982.
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