Mike Laughton

Michael Frederick Laughton (born February 21, 1944 in Nelson, British Columbia) is a retired professional ice hockey centre who played 189 games in the National Hockey League and 203 games in the World Hockey Association. He played for the California Golden Seals, New York Raiders, New York Golden Blades, New Jersey Knights, and San Diego Mariners.

He played junior hockey with the Nelson Knights and then joined the senior Nelson Maple Leafs from 1963 to 1966. Laughton turned pro in 1966-67 with the Victoria Maple Leafs and was chosen in the 1967 NHL Expansion Draft by the Oakland Seals.

Laughton reached a peak of 20 goals for the Seals in 1968-69. The next year he slipped to 16 goals and then injuries reduced him to 25 games played in 1970-71. The next season he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens and he spent the 1971-72 season helping the Nova Scotia Voyageurs win the Calder Cup.

He jumped to the World Hockey Association in 1972, signing with the New York Raiders. Laughton scored 20 goals fro the team in 1972-73 and followed the team as it became the New Jersey Knights in 1973-74 and the San Diego Mariners in 1974-75. Injuries made him miss the entire 1975-76 season. Laughton came back in 1976-77 to finish his career where it had started - in his hometown. He played two seasons for the senior Nelson Maple Leafs and retired in 1978.

In the NHL Laughton played in 189 games and scored 39 goals and 48 assists. In the WHA he played 203 games and scored 44 goals and 47 assists.