Robert Scott Dailey (May 3, 1953 – September 7, 2016) was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played nine seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Vancouver Canucks and Philadelphia Flyers between 1973 and 1982. He featured in the 1980 Stanley Cup Finals with the Flyers.

Bob Dailey
Dailey in 1980
Born (1953-05-03)May 3, 1953
Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Died September 7, 2016(2016-09-07) (aged 63)
Windermere, Florida, U.S.
Height 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Weight 220 lb (100 kg; 15 st 10 lb)
Position Defence
Shot Right
Played for Vancouver Canucks
Philadelphia Flyers
NHL draft 9th overall, 1973
Vancouver Canucks
WHA draft 52nd overall, 1973
Toronto Toros
Playing career 1973–1982

Playing career

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The league's tallest player until the arrival of Willie Huber in 1978, Dailey was a tremendous combination of size and skill on the blueline. He was selected ninth overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1973 NHL Amateur Draft from the Toronto Marlboros, where he had won the Memorial Cup as a junior. He immediately stepped into the Canucks roster as one of their top defenders, registering 7 goals and 24 points as a rookie in 1973–74.

In 1974–75, Dailey registered 12 goals and 48 points to lead Canuck defenders and was named the club's top blueliner. He had another fine season in 1975–76, notching 15 goals despite missing time to injury. However, the Canucks would deal him to the Philadelphia Flyers midway through the 1976–77 season in exchange for Jack McIlhargey and Larry Goodenough. The deal would prove a lopsided one as McIlhargey and Goodenough were never more than bit players for the Canucks while Dailey would be the Flyers' top defender for the next 5 years.

In 1977–78, Dailey emerged as a star for the Flyers. His 21 goals and 57 points would set club records (now broken) for a defender, and he was selected to play in the NHL All-Star Game. In 1979–80 he would register 39 points in just 61 games, and then add 17 more points in the playoffs in helping the Flyers reach the Stanley Cup Finals. In 1980–81 he was again named the Flyers' top defender and was selected to play in his second All-Star Game, but his season was ended prematurely due to a knee injury which required surgery.

12 games into the 1981–82 season, Dailey shattered his ankle catching a rut in the ice in a game in Buffalo. The injury required 3 screws to repair and forced his retirement at the age of 28.[1] He attempted a comeback with the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League in 1985, but found he could not compete and retired for good after five games.

Dailey finished his career with 94 goals and 231 assists for 325 points in 561 NHL games, along with 814 penalty minutes.

Dailey died in Florida on September 7, 2016, after a six-year battle with cancer.[2][3]

Awards and achievements

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  • 1975: Named Vancouver Canucks' top defenceman
  • 1978: Played in NHL All-Star Game
  • 1979: Named Philadelphia Flyers' top defenceman
  • 1981: Played in NHL All-Star Game
  • 1981: Named Philadelphia Flyers' top defenceman

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1970–71 Markham Waxers MetJHL
1970–71 Toronto Marlboros OHA-Jr. 36 2 3 5 36
1971–72 Toronto Marlboros OHA-Jr. 62 23 55 78 124 10 3 7 10 18
1972–73 Toronto Marlboros OHA-Jr. 60 9 55 64 200 16 9 11 20 22
1972–73 Toronto Marlboros M-Cup 3 0 1 1 19
1973–74 Vancouver Canucks NHL 76 7 17 24 143
1974–75 Vancouver Canucks NHL 70 12 36 48 103 5 1 3 4 14
1975–76 Vancouver Canucks NHL 67 15 24 39 119 2 1 1 2 0
1976–77 Vancouver Canucks NHL 44 4 16 20 52
1976–77 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 32 5 14 19 38 10 4 9 13 15
1977–78 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 76 21 36 57 62 12 1 5 6 22
1978–79 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 70 9 30 39 63 8 1 2 3 14
1979–80 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 61 13 26 39 71 19 4 13 17 22
1980–81 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 53 7 27 34 141 7 0 1 1 18
1981–82 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 12 1 5 6 22
1985–86 Hershey Bears AHL 5 0 0 0 8
NHL totals 561 94 231 325 814 63 12 34 46 105

References

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  1. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE; Hockey Players Retire". The New York Times. August 25, 1982. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  2. ^ Carchidi, Sam (September 7, 2016). "Former Flyers defenseman Bob 'The Count' Dailey dies at 63". philly.com. The Inquirer. Retrieved 2016-09-08.
  3. ^ Tucker, Cam (September 7, 2016). "Former Flyers d-man Bob Dailey passes away at age 63". NBC Sports. Retrieved 2016-09-08.
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Preceded by Vancouver Canucks first round draft pick
1974
Succeeded by