Don Blackburn

Donald Blackburn (born May 14, 1938) is a retired Canadian professional left winger who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers, New York Islanders and Minnesota North Stars. He also played in the World Hockey Association (WHA) with the New England Whalers. He later became the Whalers first ever NHL coach.

He started out with the junior Hamilton Tiger Cubs of the Ontario Hockey Association in 1956-57 and 1957-58. Blackburn then spent most of the next nine years in the minors.

Blackburn got his big break when the Philadelphia Flyers drafted him in the 1967 NHL Expansion Draft. He spent two strong seasons with the Flyers and then was traded to the New York Rangers in 1969-70. He also played with the New York Islanders and the Minnesota North Stars before settling with the New England Whalers in 1973-74.

Coaching Career
He retired in 1975-76 and was the Whalers' coach for a short time before being demoted to assistant coach. Blackburn spent a few years as a scout before becoming their coach again in the 1978-79 WHA playoffs.

Blackburn was the first ever Hartford Whalers coach in the 1979-80 NHL season. He led them to a 27–34–19 record in the 1979–80 NHL season. In the playoffs, the Whalers were swept by Montreal in three games. Blackburn was fired midway through the 1980–81 season after the Whalers sat with a miserable record of 15–29–16. He was replaced by interim coach Larry Pleau.

Awards

 * Eastern Professional Hockey League first all star 1962-63 Kingston Frontenacs (EPHL)
 * American Hockey League John B. Sollenberger Trophy 1971-72 Providence Reds
 * American Hockey League first all star 1970-71 Rochester Americans
 * American Hockey League second all star 1969-70 Buffalo Bisons
 * American Hockey League second all star 1971-71 Providence Reds