Reggie Leach was one of the more prolific scorers in the Western Junior Hockey League. He was able to perform similar feats in the NHL, primarily when he arrived to the Philadelphia Flyers and joined the Broad Street Bullies. Interestingly, Leach’s best season may have been his most frustrating. Leach scored the most goals in the 1975-76 season (61) and led his team to a Stanley Cup appearance. Despite scoring 16 goals in the playoffs and winning the Conn Smythe Trophy, his Flyers failed to win the Cup that year. Leach would go on to gain 666 points in the NHL and had he been a better playmaker he would have a points total that may have garnered a look from the Hall.

The last survivor of the Original Six, Wayne Cashman made the most of what he had. Cashman was not considered a gifted skill player but he was an adept grinder and the last guy you wanted to fight for a puck in the corners. He was also known as one of the game’s best fighters and though he was not known for his scoring, he did finish in the top five in point during the 1973-74 season. A seventeen-year veteran of the Boston Bruins, Cashman remains one of the most beloved figures in Beantown. He will likely receive no such love from the Hall in Toronto.

Although the bulk of the early era players are in the Hockey Hall of Fame, a case could be made for the talented Lorne Chabot. The Montreal native was successful everywhere he went, posting winning records and winning two Stanley Cups. Chabot’s career saw him get 201 over eleven seasons but as he played with six different teams he got labeled a journeyman despite the successful performances he showed.

Before his record was broken by Doug Jarvis, Garry Unger was considered the NHL’s Iron Man. Unger played in 914 consecutive games which was a phenomenal accomplishment, considering the rough nature of Professional Hockey. Unger did not just play in those games; he was a seven-time All-Star who was able to acquire 804 career points. Because Unger was dependable, he was not considered flashy. The latter might be what has caused people to forget about the first true “Iron Man” of the NHL.