Gregg Boddy
Encyclopedia
Gregg Allan Boddy is a retired professional ice hockey
defenceman
who spent five seasons in the National Hockey League
between 1971 and 1976, and also played briefly in the World Hockey Association
. During his career, he was known as a steady defensive-minded defender.
, Boddy was selected 27th overall in the 1969 NHL Amateur Draft
by the Los Angeles Kings
. He spent one season in the minors in the Kings' system before being dealt to the Montreal Canadiens
in a six-player trade in 1970. On a deep Montreal team, he was similarly stuck in the AHL
, and was dealt to the Vancouver Canucks
for a draft pick in 1971.
Boddy made his NHL debut in 1971–72, as he was called up mid-season from the Rochester Americans
, and made a positive impression with his reliable defensive play. He finished the year with 2 goals and 7 points in 40 games, and established himself as a regular on the Canucks' blueline. In 1972–73, he appeared in 74 games for the Canucks, posting 3 goals and 11 assists for 14 points.
1973–74 would prove to be a disappointment, as he appeared in only 53 games and was briefly re-assigned to the minors. However, he bounced back strongly in 1974–75 to have his best season as Vancouver won their division and made the playoffs for the first time in their history. Boddy finished the season with 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points, along with 56 penalty minutes. 11 goals was a shocking total for the usually defense-only Boddy, who had scored only 16 goals in the previous 8 seasons combined dating back to junior. At the close of the season, he saw the only NHL playoff action of his career, appearing in 3 games as the Canucks were knocked out early.
However, Boddy's career would stall in 1975–76, as he lost his regular place on the Canucks' blueline and was re-assigned to the minors. He jumped to the rival WHA
for the 1976–77 season, joining the San Diego Mariners
, but after a month in San Diego he was dealt to his hometown Edmonton Oilers
, finishing the year with 2 goals and 19 assists for 21 points in 64 games.
Boddy spent two more seasons playing in Japan before retiring in 1979. He finished his career with totals of 23 goals and 44 assists for 67 points in 273 NHL games, along with 263 penalty minutes.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
defenceman
Defenceman (ice hockey)
Defence in ice hockey is a player position whose primary responsibility is to prevent the opposing team from scoring...
who spent five seasons in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
between 1971 and 1976, and also played briefly in the World Hockey Association
World Hockey Association
The World Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. It was the first major competition for the National Hockey League since the collapse of the Western Hockey League in 1926...
. During his career, he was known as a steady defensive-minded defender.
Playing career
After a solid junior career with the Edmonton Oil KingsEdmonton Oil Kings
This article refers to the original Oil Kings franchises that existed until 1978. For the current team that began play in 2007, see Edmonton Oil Kings...
, Boddy was selected 27th overall in the 1969 NHL Amateur Draft
1969 NHL Amateur Draft
The 1969 NHL Amateur Draft was held at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. This draft is notable for being the first NHL draft to be conducted after the league ended direct sponsorship of junior hockey.-Selections by round:...
by the Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
. He spent one season in the minors in the Kings' system before being dealt to the Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
in a six-player trade in 1970. On a deep Montreal team, he was similarly stuck in the AHL
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
, and was dealt to the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
for a draft pick in 1971.
Boddy made his NHL debut in 1971–72, as he was called up mid-season from the Rochester Americans
Rochester Americans
The Rochester Americans are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and a top affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres. The team plays its home games in Rochester, New York, at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial...
, and made a positive impression with his reliable defensive play. He finished the year with 2 goals and 7 points in 40 games, and established himself as a regular on the Canucks' blueline. In 1972–73, he appeared in 74 games for the Canucks, posting 3 goals and 11 assists for 14 points.
1973–74 would prove to be a disappointment, as he appeared in only 53 games and was briefly re-assigned to the minors. However, he bounced back strongly in 1974–75 to have his best season as Vancouver won their division and made the playoffs for the first time in their history. Boddy finished the season with 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points, along with 56 penalty minutes. 11 goals was a shocking total for the usually defense-only Boddy, who had scored only 16 goals in the previous 8 seasons combined dating back to junior. At the close of the season, he saw the only NHL playoff action of his career, appearing in 3 games as the Canucks were knocked out early.
However, Boddy's career would stall in 1975–76, as he lost his regular place on the Canucks' blueline and was re-assigned to the minors. He jumped to the rival WHA
World Hockey Association
The World Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. It was the first major competition for the National Hockey League since the collapse of the Western Hockey League in 1926...
for the 1976–77 season, joining the San Diego Mariners
San Diego Mariners
The San Diego Mariners were an ice hockey team based in San Diego that played in the World Hockey Association. They played from 1974 to 1977. Their home ice was San Diego Sports Arena...
, but after a month in San Diego he was dealt to his hometown Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
, finishing the year with 2 goals and 19 assists for 21 points in 64 games.
Boddy spent two more seasons playing in Japan before retiring in 1979. He finished his career with totals of 23 goals and 44 assists for 67 points in 273 NHL games, along with 263 penalty minutes.