Bob Dailey, Canadian ice hockey player, Died at 63

  Sports

Robert Scott “Bob” Dailey was born on May 3, 1953, and died on September 7, 2016.

He was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman.

Bob played nine seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Vancouver Canucks and Philadelphia Flyers between 1973 and 1982.

He was 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.

Dailey 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.

Dailey immediately stepped into the Canucks roster as one of their top defenders, registering 7 goals and 24 points as a rookie in 1973–74.

During 1974–75, Bob registered 12 goals and 48 points to lead Canuck defenders and was named the club’s top blueliner.

Bob had another fine season in 1975–76, notching 15 goals despite missing time to injury.

After 12 games into the 1981–82 season, Bob Dailey shattered his ankle catching a rut in the ice in a game in Buffalo.

That injury required 3 screws to repair and forced his retirement at the age of 28.

Bob Dailey 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.

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

He died in Florida after 6 years fighting cancer.

Bob Dailey passed away at 63 years old.