Saskatoon native Ed Van Impe played professional hockey from 1961 to 1977. A member of the NHL’s Chicago Black Hawks, Philadelphia Flyers, and Pittsburgh Penguins, the tough defenseman’s determination and grit paved the way for a lasting impact on NHL history.
Van Impe was a member of an elite fraternity of players who wore the captain’s “C” for the Flyers. Having been the second man to be named captain of the team, he is one of 18 players to date who have received this honor since the franchise’s inaugural 1967-68 season. The Broad Street Bully is in good company on this list, joining several NHL stars such as Bobby Clarke, Dave Poulin, Eric Lindros, and Claude Giroux who also served as team captains.
Buffalo Bisons
Van Impe was inspired to become a blueliner by his childhood idol, Hockey Hall of Famer Doug Harvey, a veteran of 19 NHL seasons. After spending a few seasons in junior, most of which were with his hometown Saskatoon Quakers of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), he was signed by the Buffalo Bisons of the American Hockey League (AHL).
Van Impe spent five seasons in Buffalo, appearing in 347 regular-season games. During his time with the Bisons, he recorded 108 points and 911 penalty minutes. He was a member of the 1962-63 Bisons’ Calder Cup champion team. That season, he recorded 15 points (three goals and 12 assists) and 196 penalty minutes in 65 regular-season games. Van Impe’s teammates that season included John McKenzie, Doug Jarrett, Roger Crozier, and Denis DeJordy who saw significant time in the NHL during their respective careers.
Chicago Black Hawks
Van Impe broke into the NHL with the Black Hawks during the 1966-67 season. In his rookie campaign, he recorded 19 points (eight goals and 11 assists) in 61 games. The Black Hawks finished the season in first place with a record of 41 wins, 17 losses, and 12 ties, and were considered heavy favorites to win their second Stanley Cup of the decade. Unfortunately, their dreams of capturing another championship in the 1960s were cut short by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the semifinals. Van Impe’s outstanding play that season put him right behind rookie of the year winner Bobby Orr in voting for the Calder Memorial Trophy. Orr ended his rookie season with an outstanding 41 points for the Boston Bruins.
Philadelphia Flyers
Left unprotected by the Black Hawks, Van Impe…
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