Dave Maloney

Though not a true number one defenseman, Dave Maloney was a good puck moving defenseman with a physical dimension. His mobility and hockey sense made him a useful member of both specialty team units.

The native of Kitchener, Ontario, Maloney starred with the hometown Kitchener Rangers for two years before being selected 14th overall by the New York Rangers in 1974. After two years of seasoning with the AHL's Providence Reds, Maloney earned a full time slot with New York in 1976-77.

Maloney assumed a key role as quarterback of the Rangers power play. Often playing with Barry "Bubba" Beck, Maloney was quite aggressive himself, as his 1154 career penalty minutes attest. The solid rearguard played so well during his first two years that by 1978-79 he succeeded Phil Esposito as the Blueshirts' captain. Under his leadership, Maloney helped the team reach the Stanley Cup finals. That was an especially proud moment for the Maloney family as younger brother Don joined the team. The two would star on Broadway until Dave's departure up state to Buffalo for the 1984-85 season.

In Buffalo Maloney was a stabilizing influence during the last 52 games of the 1984-85 season and the first round of the playoffs before retiring. He scored 71 goals and 317 points in 657 NHL games.

In retirement Maloney has worked, amongst other jobs, as a Wall Street stock broker and as an in-studio analyst for Fox Sports. He also coached youth hockey in Connecticut.

Here's some other interesting facts about Dave Maloney:

• During 1973-74 season, Maloney's stick caused severe eye injury to major-junior star Greg Neeld, costing Neeld the vision in his left eye and a chance for an NHL career. Neeld did try to play in the WHA, wearing a protect shield that was the first forerunner to what today is commonly used and known as the eye visor.
• Maloney visited Romania during summer of 1978 as a guest of the Romanian Hockey Federation.
• In 1979 he worked at Mike Nykoluk's hockey school in Switzerland.
• He was a regular instructor at Bobby Orr's hockey camp in his early career.
• In addition to his brother Don, Maloney is also related to NHLer Doug Sulliman (brothers in-law). However Don and Dave Maloney are not related to NHLers Dan or Phil Maloney.
• In 1977 he was a member of Canada's first entry at the World Championships that allowed professional players.