John Wright (ice hockey)
Encyclopedia
John Gilbert Brereton Wright (born November 9, 1948 in Toronto
, Ontario
) is a retired Canadian
professional ice hockey
player who spent three seasons in the National Hockey League
in the 1970s.
by his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs
after dominating local Junior B ranks. The following season, he joined the Toronto Marlboros
of the Ontario Hockey Association
, where he would play with a host of future NHL stars, including Brad Park
, Brian Glennie
and Gerry Meehan
. In his rookie season, Wright helped lead the Marlboros to the Memorial Cup
as Canada's top junior team, scoring 5 points in 9 games in the final tournament. The following season, he emerged as one of the team's top players, registering 64 points in 54 games.
However, rather than turn professional at the conclusion of his junior career, Wright chose instead to attend the University of Toronto
, where he would pursue a degree in Health and Physical Education. During his time with the Varsity Blues men's ice hockey team
, he would establish himself as one of the top players in CIAU
history. The team would win 4 consecutive CIAU titles during his time there, with Wright being named playoff MVP in 3 of those years. He was honoured as a CIAU All-Canadian in 1969 and 1972, and captained the squad during his final two seasons.
Wright was also a member of the university's golf team, and in 1994 was elected to the University of Toronto Hall of Fame
for his athletic achievements during his time there.
in 1970, and joined the team in 1972 at the conclusion of his university career. Wright made the team as a rookie, and put together a fine 1972–73 season, finishing with 10 goals and 37 points in 71 games. This placed him 5th on the team in assists and 8th in scoring, and his 27 assists were at the time the most ever by a rookie Canuck forward.
However, Wright would get off to a sluggish start in 1973–74 with just 6 points in his first 20 games, and was dealt to the St. Louis Blues for Mike Lampman
. His offensive struggles would continue in St. Louis, and he finished the season with 6 goals and 15 points in 52 games between Vancouver and St. Louis.
The following summer, Wright was seleced by the Kansas City Scouts
in the 1974 NHL Expansion Draft
. However, he would play only 4 games for the Scouts, instead spending almost the entire season with their farm squad in the AHL
. Following the season, he chose to retire from professional hockey.
Wright finished his career with 16 goals and 52 points, along with 67 PIM, in 127 NHL games.
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
) is a retired Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
professional ice hockey
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...
player who spent three 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...
in the 1970s.
Amateur career
Wright was selected 4th overall in the 1966 NHL Amateur Draft1966 NHL Amateur Draft
The 1966 NHL Amateur Draft was held at the Mount Royal Hotel in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.-Selections by round:Listed below are the selections in the 1966 NHL Amateur Draft.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:-External links:* *...
by his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
after dominating local Junior B ranks. The following season, he joined the Toronto Marlboros
Toronto Marlboros
The Toronto Marlborough Athletic Club, commonly known as the Toronto Marlboros, was founded in 1903. It operated a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association and Ontario Hockey League from 1904 to 1989...
of the Ontario Hockey Association
Ontario Hockey Association
The Ontario Hockey Association is the governing body for the majority of Junior and Senior level ice hockey teams in the Province of Ontario. The OHA is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Federation along with the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. Other Ontario sanctioning bodies along with the...
, where he would play with a host of future NHL stars, including Brad Park
Brad Park
Douglas Bradford Park is a retired ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers, Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings...
, Brian Glennie
Brian Glennie
Brian "Blunt" Glennie is a retired professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the NHL from 1969 until 1979. Glennie was a master of the hip-check.-Amateur career:...
and Gerry Meehan
Gerry Meehan
Gerard Marcus Meehan is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey left winger and the former general manager and Senior Vice President of the Buffalo Sabres.-Playing career:...
. In his rookie season, Wright helped lead the Marlboros to the Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
as Canada's top junior team, scoring 5 points in 9 games in the final tournament. The following season, he emerged as one of the team's top players, registering 64 points in 54 games.
However, rather than turn professional at the conclusion of his junior career, Wright chose instead to attend the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
, where he would pursue a degree in Health and Physical Education. During his time with the Varsity Blues men's ice hockey team
Varsity Blues men's ice hockey team
The Varsity Blues men's ice hockey team is an ice hockey team operated by the Varsity Blues athletics program of the University of Toronto. The Varsity Blues senior team won the Allan Cup in 1921 and 1927, and won the gold medal for Canada at the 1928 Winter Olympics.The Blues play in the Ontario...
, he would establish himself as one of the top players in CIAU
CIAU
The letters CIAU may mean any of the following:* CIAU-FM 103.1, a radio station in Radisson, Quebec* An acronym for "Canadian Interuniversity Athletics Union", now known as Canadian Interuniversity Sport...
history. The team would win 4 consecutive CIAU titles during his time there, with Wright being named playoff MVP in 3 of those years. He was honoured as a CIAU All-Canadian in 1969 and 1972, and captained the squad during his final two seasons.
Wright was also a member of the university's golf team, and in 1994 was elected to the University of Toronto Hall of Fame
Hall of Fame
A hall of fame, wall of fame, walk of fame, walk of stars or avenue of stars is a type of attraction established for any field of endeavor to honor individuals of noteworthy achievement in that field...
for his athletic achievements during his time there.
Professional career
Wright had been drafted away from the Maple Leafs by the Vancouver CanucksVancouver 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,...
in 1970, and joined the team in 1972 at the conclusion of his university career. Wright made the team as a rookie, and put together a fine 1972–73 season, finishing with 10 goals and 37 points in 71 games. This placed him 5th on the team in assists and 8th in scoring, and his 27 assists were at the time the most ever by a rookie Canuck forward.
However, Wright would get off to a sluggish start in 1973–74 with just 6 points in his first 20 games, and was dealt to the St. Louis Blues for Mike Lampman
Mike Lampman
Michael David Lampman is a retired Canadian-American ice hockey player.Selected in the 1970 NHL Entry Draft by the St. Louis Blues, Lampman played parts of two seasons with the Blues before he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks...
. His offensive struggles would continue in St. Louis, and he finished the season with 6 goals and 15 points in 52 games between Vancouver and St. Louis.
The following summer, Wright was seleced by the Kansas City Scouts
Kansas City Scouts
The Kansas City Scouts was a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League from 1974–76. In 1976, the franchise relocated to Denver, Colorado and became the Colorado Rockies...
in the 1974 NHL Expansion Draft
1974 NHL Expansion Draft
The 1974 NHL Expansion Draft was held on June 12, 1974. The draft took place to fill the rosters of the league's two expansion teams for the 1974–75 season, the Kansas City Scouts and the Washington Capitals.-Draft desults:-See also:...
. However, he would play only 4 games for the Scouts, instead spending almost the entire season with their farm squad 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...
. Following the season, he chose to retire from professional hockey.
Wright finished his career with 16 goals and 52 points, along with 67 PIM, in 127 NHL games.