Getting his start in athletics growing up in Port Arthur during the 1950s and '60s, this future NHL'er exhibited the skills and commitment that would see him enjoy success in a variety of sports.

A standout on the football field at Hillcrest High School, his talents on the baseball diamond were also impressive. Playing with such teams as the Brayshaws Steelers, Videon Vees and Big Eds, he often topped the Port Arthur Senior Fastball standings as a batting champion, home run leader and RBI contributor.

Developing his hockey skills as he advanced through the minor leagues with the Port Arthur West End Bearcats, he was recruited by the Fort William Junior Canadiens for the start of the 1963-64 season. 

Described as big and rugged, his six-foot-tall frame was well suited for the defensive line and he helped lead the junior Habs to the league title in his rookie season, and in his final year in 1965-66.

Turning pro following time in the OHA with the 1966-67 Peterborough TPT Petes, he played for the Houston Apollos and the Denver Spurs before making his NHL debut with the Vancouver Canucks in January of 1971.

Spending parts of two seasons with the club, he skated in 115 NHL games collecting 20 points and 224 penalty minutes before being claimed by the New York Islanders in the 1972 expansion process, opting instead to sign with the Houston Aeros of the newly minted World Hockey Association (WHA).

Playing for the Aeros from 1972-78, the team topped the league in four seasons and won back-to-back AVCO Cups in 1974 and 1975, earning him WHA All-Star honours in both years. His all-out aggressive style of play and his powerful slapshot, which earned him the nickname Shotgun, saw him as a respected team leader and a fan favourite. 

It also saw him set the franchise mark for time in the penalty box with 844 minutes. At the same time, he also contributed offensively ending up third overall in points among defencemen and played the fifth-most games in Aeros franchise history with 385.

Finishing up his professional playing days in 1978-79 in the PHL with the San Diego Hawks, he passed away in 2018 leaving behind a legacy of having outstanding athletic abilities, and a passion and commitment to the game of hockey over his three decades on the ice.

Inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, September 27, 2025