gold star for USAHOF

22. Don Luce

22. Don Luce

After playing a minor role for the New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings, the Buffalo Sabres acquired Don Luce, who found a role with his defensive skills from the Center position.

Luce only had 19 Points in his first full year in Western New York (1971-72) but grew that to 43 Points the following year.  Over the next five seasons, Luce broke the 50 Point threshold, peaking at 76 in 1974-75.  This was also the season where he won the Bill Masterton Trophy and was named to his only All-Star Game. 

An excellent penalty killer (he had 25 Short-Handed Goals for Buffalo), Luce was in the top five of Frank J. Selke Trophy voting in the first three seasons of its existence (1977-78 to 1979-80).  Luce likely would have won at least one award had it been around earlier.  

Luce was traded to Los Angeles in 1981, and he retired not soon after.  He left the Sabres with 526 Points, and he later had a productive run as a scout, including many future Buffalo Sabres.  The Sabres elected Luce to their Hall of Fame in 1986.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Center
  • Acquired: Traded from the Detroit Red Wings with Mike Robitaille for Joe Daley 5/25/71.
  • Departed: Traded to the Los Angeles Kings for Los Angeles’ 1983 6th Round Pick (which would be Jacob Gustavsson) 3/10/81.
  • Games Played: 766
  • Notable Statistics:

    216 Goals
    310 Assists 
    526 Points 
    304 PIM 
    .69 PPG 
    +214 Plus/Minus 
    45.2 Point Shares 

    62 Playoff Games
    17 Goals
    19 Assists 
    36 Points 
    46 PIM 
    .50 PPG 
    +7 Plus/Minus 

  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    All-Star (1975)
    Bill Masterton Trophy (1974-75)

Tagged under

Comments powered by CComment