One of those colourful characters from a league and era known for eccentrics. Smokey was born with a club foot and had one leg two inches shorter than the other. Went on to be an All-Star in the World league and played one game in the WHA/Soviet Summit Series in 1974.
Won a couple of Avco Cups with Gordie Howe and the Houston Aeros and also played for the Vancouver Blazers, Nordiques and Oilers.
I remember the games at the Corral as a kid and desperately wanted the number 1 Cowboys jersey.
Back in the mid-'70s the Cowboys were "The Show" as far as Calgary went.
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"Smokey" as his nickname was because of his ever-present cigarette off the ice became one of the best goalies in the WHA. He played a total of 332 WHA games, including a league high 72 games in 1974-75 and 67 in 1976-77. He also led the league in wins twice. (1973-74 & 74-75). Don's trademark was his great stickhandling ability. He used one of the most curved goalie hockey sticks ever seen. He made many high flip passes with his curved stick. He even almost scored a goal on a couple of occasions. He had 13 assists in 1975-76, 9 assists in 1976-77 and 10 assists in 1977-78. Don picked up a total of 35 assists in his WHA career.
Our team played at the intermission of a Cowboys - Houston Aeros game. We arrived at the Corral early and I got Gordie Howes autograph in a program, which I still have. Sat behind the net up by the organ. Made a card board goalie mask like Smokey's, still hanging in basement.
__________________ "You can put it in the loss column". Save the Corral!!
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Great memories of the Cowboys as a kid ...Just found a bunch of Cowboys programs in mint condition in a box at my parents house... Smokey with curved blocker!!!
I remember as a kid when the top floor of the downtown Hudson's Bay has a cafeteria/dining lounge. A couple of times a season the Cowboys would have a "Sunday Brunch with the Cowboys" in which a dozen or so players would show up for. Given the times and the reputation of the league they were probably massively hung over. Got Smokey's autograph and a bunch of others on the front cover of a game program. Wish I had kept it.
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Last edited by Reggie Dunlop; 03-17-2015 at 11:48 PM.
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Let me see if my memory serves me correctly......
There was one particular game at the Corral where the Cowboys were playing the Oilers. It was the 3rd period where Smokey has the puck and decides to shoot it to the other end of the ice. The Oilers goalie comes out of his net anticipating the puck is heading towards his left faceoff circle when suddenly the puck hits a rut in the ice and changes direction. Said goalie dives to the right and extends his goal stick in a last ditch attempt to keep the puck from going into his net. Sadly the puck hits the fat shaft of the goal stick and stays out.
The crowd was going crazy thinking the puck was going into the net. It would have been extra special as the German National team was in attendance watching the game.
That's my memory of Smokey coming close to scoring a goal.
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Remember Ron Chipperfield, Butch Deadmarsh, Rick Jodzio and Danny Lawson on those teams!
It was Calgary's first opportunity to see players that were once in the NHL or were going to end up there.
Hull, the Howes, Cheevers, Sanderson, Mahovolich, Henderson and Keon.
Edmonton was actually the Alberta Oilers at first.
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my first live pro game was a WHA Oiler game in 78. It's the only hockey game ticket stub I don't have. wish I did. A 17 year old Gretzky scored 4 against the Racers.
Former WHA and Calgary Cowboys great Don "Smokey" McLeod passes away
Save the Corral!!
