Ron Chipperfield
Encyclopedia
Ronald James Chipperfield (born March 28, 1954) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey
player who served as the Edmonton Oilers
' first NHL captain. He played for the Oilers in both the World Hockey Association
and the National Hockey League
, as well as the Vancouver Blazers
and the Calgary Cowboys
of the WHA, and the Quebec Nordiques
of the NHL.
of MJHL, leading the league in scoring. The Kings won the MJHL championship and advance to the western Memorial Cup semi final before bowing out. Next was four years with Brandon Wheat Kings
of WCHL
, where Ron set numerous team and league records. His most successful year was his last, 1973–74, when he scored 90 goals a league record at the time, won the scoring title, and was named league MVP. Ron still holds the WHL record for career points at 470.
Drafted in 1974 by both the California Golden Seals
of the NHL in the 1st round, 17th overall and 49th overall by the Vancouver Blazers of the WHA. Ron joined the Blazers, spending a year with the Blazers before the team moved to Calgary and became the Cowboys. Ron played two seasons for the Cowboys, then a three year run with the Edmonton Oilers. By his third season with the Oilers, the NHL and the WHA had merged, with the Oilers joining the National Hockey League. Chipperfield made his NHL debut in 1979 and went on to score 22 goals and 45 points that season. In March of that season the Oilers traded Chipperfield to the Quebec Nordiques
, for goaltender Ron Low
, a former teammate in Dauphin. Chipperfield played just four contests with the Nordiques the following year, and then took his skills to Italy in 1981. That season he scored a league-leading 78 goals and 128 points in just 39 games. His final three seasons were spent there playing for HC Bolzano.
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 served as the 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 ....
' first NHL captain. He played for the Oilers in both 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...
and 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...
, as well as the Vancouver Blazers
Vancouver Blazers
The Vancouver Blazers were a professional ice hockey team that played in the World Hockey Association from 1973-75. The Blazers played at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, British Columbia, sharing the facility with the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League. The Blazers were owned by...
and the Calgary Cowboys
Calgary Cowboys
The Calgary Cowboys were an ice hockey team that played two seasons in the World Hockey Association from 1975–1977. The Cowboys played at the Stampede Corral in Calgary. The franchise was founded in 1972 as the Miami Screaming Eagles, though it never played a game in Miami...
of the WHA, and the Quebec Nordiques
Quebec Nordiques
The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League...
of the NHL.
Playing career
Ron started his junior career in 1969–70 with the Dauphin KingsDauphin Kings
The Dauphin Kings are a Canadian Junior "A" ice hockey team from Dauphin, Manitoba, Canada. They are members of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League , a part of the Canadian Junior A Hockey League and Hockey Canada...
of MJHL, leading the league in scoring. The Kings won the MJHL championship and advance to the western Memorial Cup semi final before bowing out. Next was four years with Brandon Wheat Kings
Brandon Wheat Kings
The Brandon Wheat Kings are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in Brandon, Manitoba. They compete in the Western Hockey League, and joined the league in the 1967–68 season. Prior to that they played in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League and were known as the Brandon Elks for a short time in the...
of WCHL
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
, where Ron set numerous team and league records. His most successful year was his last, 1973–74, when he scored 90 goals a league record at the time, won the scoring title, and was named league MVP. Ron still holds the WHL record for career points at 470.
Drafted in 1974 by both the California Golden Seals
California Golden Seals
The California Golden Seals were a team in the National Hockey League from 1967–76. Initially named California Seals, the team was renamed Oakland Seals part-way through the 1967–68 season, and then to California Golden Seals in 1970. The Seals were one of six teams added to the league as part of...
of the NHL in the 1st round, 17th overall and 49th overall by the Vancouver Blazers of the WHA. Ron joined the Blazers, spending a year with the Blazers before the team moved to Calgary and became the Cowboys. Ron played two seasons for the Cowboys, then a three year run with the Edmonton Oilers. By his third season with the Oilers, the NHL and the WHA had merged, with the Oilers joining the National Hockey League. Chipperfield made his NHL debut in 1979 and went on to score 22 goals and 45 points that season. In March of that season the Oilers traded Chipperfield to the Quebec Nordiques
Quebec Nordiques
The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League...
, for goaltender Ron Low
Ron Low
Ronald Albert Low is a former Canadian ice hockey goaltender and coach. He grew up in Foxwarren, Manitoba.-Playing career:...
, a former teammate in Dauphin. Chipperfield played just four contests with the Nordiques the following year, and then took his skills to Italy in 1981. That season he scored a league-leading 78 goals and 128 points in just 39 games. His final three seasons were spent there playing for HC Bolzano.
Awards and achievements
- MJHL Co-Goal Scoring Leader (1970)
- Turnbull Cup MJHL Championship (1970)
- WCHLWestern Hockey LeagueThe Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
First All-Star Team (1974) - WCHL Scoring Champion (1974)
- WCHL MVP (1974)
- “Honoured Member” of the Manitoba Hockey Hall of FameManitoba Hockey Hall of FameThe Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum was established in 1985 when the first honoured members were named and plaques were erected in their honour. The first group of inductees was large in order to recognize the accomplishments of Manitoba players, coaches, builders and teams at the...
Career statistics
--- Regular Season --- ---- Playoffs ----
Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
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1969-70 Dauphin Kings MJHL 34 39 40 79 18 -- -- -- -- --
1970-71 Brandon Wheat Kings WCHL 64 40 43 83 62 -- -- -- -- --
1971-72 Brandon Wheat Kings WCHL 63 59 53 112 29 -- -- -- -- --
1972-73 Brandon Wheat Kings WCHL 59 72 41 113 63 -- -- -- -- --
1973-74 Brandon Wheat Kings WCHL 66 90 72 162 82 -- -- -- -- --
1974-75 Vancouver Blazers WHA 78 19 20 39 30 -- -- -- -- --
1975-76 Calgary Cowboys WHA 75 42 41 83 32 10 5 4 9 6
1976-77 Calgary Cowboys WHA 81 27 27 54 32 -- -- -- -- --
1977-78 Edmonton Oilers WHA 80 33 52 85 48 5 1 1 2 0
1978-79 Edmonton Oilers WHA 55 32 37 69 47 13 9 10 19 8
1979-80 Edmonton Oilers NHL 67 18 19 37 24 -- -- -- -- --
1979-80 Quebec Nordiques NHL 12 4 4 8 8 -- -- -- -- --
1980-81 Rochester Americans AHL 6 3 2 5 6 -- -- -- -- --
1980-81 Quebec Nordiques NHL 4 0 1 1 2 -- -- -- -- --
1981-82 Bozen Italy 30 78 50 128 40
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WHA Totals 369 153 177 330 189 28 15 15 30 14
NHL Totals 83 22 24 46 34