Ron Harris

Ron Harris (born June 30, 1942 in Verdun, Quebec) is a retired professional player who played 476 games in the National Hockey League, scoring 20 goals and 91 assists. He played for the Detroit Red Wings, California Golden Seals, Atlanta Flames, and New York Rangers.

He played junior hockey for the Lethbridge Native Sons and the Hamilton Red Wings from 1959-62. He won the Memorial Cup in 1961-62.

From 1962-67 Harris bounced around the Detroit Red Wings minor pro system, playing only 4 games with the big team. He got his chance when the Oakland Seals drafted him in the 1967 NHL Expansion Draft.

After only one season with the Seals (his first full season in the NHL), Harris was traded in 1968 ironically to the Red Wings. After five seasons in their minor pro system, the Wings suddenly found room for Harris for four seasons.

He was drafted in the 1972 NHL Expansion Draft by the Atlanta Flames but was quickly traded to the New York Rangers. He played with them until a knee injury in October, 1975, ended his career.

On January 13, 1968, Harris, playing with the Oakland Seals against the Minnesota North Stars, was involved in the accident that caused the death of Bill Masterton. Harris has conducted only one interview on this subject (with the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2003) where he states "It bothers you the rest of your life. It wasn't dirty and it wasn't meant to happen that way. Still, it's very hard because I made the play. It's always in the back of my mind."