Alex Faulkner
Encyclopedia
Selm Alexander Faulkner (born May 21, 1936, in Bishop's Falls, Newfoundland
) is a retired professional ice hockey
player and was the first National Hockey League
player from Newfoundland and Labrador
.
Faulkner's big break came when the team played an exhibition game in 1960 against a St. John's senior team coached by former Toronto Maple Leaf player Howie Meeker. Meeker recommended Faulkner to Toronto assistant general manager King Clancy.
Faulkner was invited to practice with the Leafs and was offered a contract with the Leafs' American Hockey League
farm team, the Rochester Americans
. In his second season in Rochester, Faulkner registered 73 points in 65 games. He was called up to the Leafs for one NHL game that season.
Faulkner's chances of landing a regular spot in the Leafs' lineup at centre were limited—the team already had Dave Keon
, Red Kelly
, Bob Pulford
and Billy Harris at that position. The Leafs did not protect Faulkner, and he was claimed by the Detroit Red Wings
in the Intra-League Draft on June 4, 1962.
That season, Faulkner found a place in the NHL on the Red Wings' third line with Larry Jeffrey
and Bruce MacGregor
. In his rookie season, Faulkner scored 10 goals and 20 points in 70 games while playing on the checking line.
It was in the playoffs in 1963, however, that Faulkner stood out. André Pronovost
replaced Jeffrey on the line and, in that combination, Faulkner scored 5 goals in 8 playoff games, including three (two game winners) against Chicago's Glenn Hall
in the semi-finals. The underdog Red Wings eliminated the favoured Black Hawks to earn a berth in the Stanley Cup finals against Faulkner's former team, the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Faulkner played a pivotal role in Detroit's only win in that series, picking up two goals in the third game, including the game winner.
When Faulkner returned to Newfoundland in the off-season, the province declared "Alex Faulkner Day." Schools were closed for a parade and ceremony hosted by Premier Joey Smallwood
, who presented Faulkner with a pair of gold cuff links.
Faulkner returned to Detroit for the 1963–64 season, but a broken hand and ankle-ligament damage limited his season to 30 games. Detroit asked Faulkner to start the 1964–65 season in the minor leagues, but he opted instead to return to Conception Bay for the next two seasons.
When the NHL announced expansion starting with the 1967 season, Faulkner returned to minor professional hockey in the United States with the Red Wings farm teams, the Memphis Wings
, and then for three more seasons with the San Diego Gulls.
At the beginning of his fourth season with the Gulls, Faulkner decided to return to Newfoundland, where he finished his career with the St. John's Capitals, retiring after the 1971–72 season.
Faulkner returned home to work in life insurance, and later ran a senior citizens' home in Bishop's Falls. He continued playing amateur hockey well into his 60s and has been inducted into the Newfoundland Hall of Fame.
Dominion of Newfoundland
The Dominion of Newfoundland was a British Dominion from 1907 to 1949 . The Dominion of Newfoundland was situated in northeastern North America along the Atlantic coast and comprised the island of Newfoundland and Labrador on the continental mainland...
) is a retired professional ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player and was the first National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
player from Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
.
Playing career
Before entering the National Hockey League, Alex Faulkner was a star player in Newfoundland for the Conception Bay All Stars or Cee Bees, a team that was, for the most part, formed by his brother George. Faulkner led the league for two seasons in both goals and points.Faulkner's big break came when the team played an exhibition game in 1960 against a St. John's senior team coached by former Toronto Maple Leaf player Howie Meeker. Meeker recommended Faulkner to Toronto assistant general manager King Clancy.
Faulkner was invited to practice with the Leafs and was offered a contract with the Leafs' American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
farm team, the Rochester Americans
Rochester Americans
The Rochester Americans are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and a top affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres. The team plays its home games in Rochester, New York, at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial...
. In his second season in Rochester, Faulkner registered 73 points in 65 games. He was called up to the Leafs for one NHL game that season.
Faulkner's chances of landing a regular spot in the Leafs' lineup at centre were limited—the team already had Dave Keon
Dave Keon
David Michael Keon is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre. He played professionally from 1960–61 to 1981–82, including 15 seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1986....
, Red Kelly
Red Kelly
Leonard Patrick "Red" Kelly, CM is a retired Canadian ice hockey player in the NHL. He played on more Stanley Cup winning teams than any player who never played for the Montreal Canadiens, and is the only player to be part of two of the nine dynasties recognized by the NHL in its history...
, Bob Pulford
Bob Pulford
Robert Jesse Pulford is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Los Angeles Kings in the National Hockey League...
and Billy Harris at that position. The Leafs did not protect Faulkner, and he was claimed by the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
in the Intra-League Draft on June 4, 1962.
That season, Faulkner found a place in the NHL on the Red Wings' third line with Larry Jeffrey
Larry Jeffrey
Lawrence Joseph Jeffrey is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward.Jeffrey began his National Hockey League career with the Detroit Red Wings in 1961. He also played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Rangers. He retired after the 1969 season. He won the Stanley Cup in 1967 with the Toronto...
and Bruce MacGregor
Bruce MacGregor
Bruce MacGregor was a professional ice hockey forward in the National Hockey League. During his 15 year career, MacGregor played for the Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers, scoring 213 goals and 257 assists in 893 games...
. In his rookie season, Faulkner scored 10 goals and 20 points in 70 games while playing on the checking line.
It was in the playoffs in 1963, however, that Faulkner stood out. André Pronovost
Andre Pronovost
André Joseph Armand Pronovost is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward.Pronovost began his career with the Montreal Canadiens in 1956 where he played on four Stanley Cup-winning teams in 1957, 1958, 1959 and 1960. He also played with the Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings and Minnesota North...
replaced Jeffrey on the line and, in that combination, Faulkner scored 5 goals in 8 playoff games, including three (two game winners) against Chicago's Glenn Hall
Glenn Hall
Glenn Henry "Mr. Goalie" Hall is a former professional ice hockey goaltender. During his National Hockey League career with the Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Black Hawks, and St. Louis Blues, Hall seldom missed a game and was a consistent performer, winning the Vezina Trophy three times, and the...
in the semi-finals. The underdog Red Wings eliminated the favoured Black Hawks to earn a berth in the Stanley Cup finals against Faulkner's former team, the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Faulkner played a pivotal role in Detroit's only win in that series, picking up two goals in the third game, including the game winner.
When Faulkner returned to Newfoundland in the off-season, the province declared "Alex Faulkner Day." Schools were closed for a parade and ceremony hosted by Premier Joey Smallwood
Joey Smallwood
Joseph Roberts "Joey" Smallwood, PC, CC was the main force that brought Newfoundland into the Canadian confederation, and became the first Premier of Newfoundland . As premier, he vigorously promoted economic development, championed the welfare state, and emphasized modernization of education and...
, who presented Faulkner with a pair of gold cuff links.
Faulkner returned to Detroit for the 1963–64 season, but a broken hand and ankle-ligament damage limited his season to 30 games. Detroit asked Faulkner to start the 1964–65 season in the minor leagues, but he opted instead to return to Conception Bay for the next two seasons.
When the NHL announced expansion starting with the 1967 season, Faulkner returned to minor professional hockey in the United States with the Red Wings farm teams, the Memphis Wings
Memphis Wings
The Memphis Wings were a professional ice hockey team in Memphis, Tennessee. They played from 1964-67 in the Central Professional Hockey League. As their name suggested, they were a farm team of the NHL's Detroit Red Wings....
, and then for three more seasons with the San Diego Gulls.
At the beginning of his fourth season with the Gulls, Faulkner decided to return to Newfoundland, where he finished his career with the St. John's Capitals, retiring after the 1971–72 season.
Faulkner returned home to work in life insurance, and later ran a senior citizens' home in Bishop's Falls. He continued playing amateur hockey well into his 60s and has been inducted into the Newfoundland Hall of Fame.