Fred Speck
Encyclopedia
Frederick Edmondstone Speck (July 22, 1947 – February 10, 2011) was a Canadian professional ice hockey
player. A centre
, Speck had a brief major league career, playing in only 28 NHL and 111 WHA games. Speck enjoyed a successful minor league hockey career and won several awards in the 1970–71 season
.
of the NHL after a scout noticed his skills while playing junior hockey in Ontario. He was signed quickly and began play with the Hamilton Red Wings
of the Ontario Hockey Association
for a single game in 1963. He received more ice time the following season and began to produce offensively, scoring eight points in his first 17 games. His coaches saw promise and his ice time was again increased for the 1964–65 season. He took advantage and earned a permanent spot on the team by scoring 34 points in 41 games. Speck took on a larger role with Hamilton for three more seasons, each time increasing his point totals. He scored 197 points between 1965–66 and 1967–68, including 85 points in his final season. He formed a great counter-point to Danny Lawson
and the pair finished with a combined 175 points in the 1967–68 season. He even helped fill a hole for the Fort Worth Wings of the Central Hockey League
that season, and scored a goal and an assist in his first game. He even helped out Fort Worth's short playoff run scoring four points. He impressed the Fort Worth coaches enough that it was decided he was ready for the next level. Speck joined Fort Worth full-time for the 1968–69 season, putting up 45 points.
He continued his scoring way with Fort Worth and scored 76 points in the 1969–70 season. In the last game of the season, the Wings were playing the Iowa Stars
, who were a point behind in the standings, and Speck single handedly prevented the Stars from finishing first. The Stars were ahead the entire game until Speck scored twice, both goals tying the game, in the final 3 minutes of the game. With 17:09 gone in the final period, Speck scored, tying the game 2-2. The Stars responded by scoring 61 seconds later. However, as the Wings pressed, Speck shot the puck and scored with 22 seconds left to again tie the game 3-3. The Wings hung on to end the game in a tie, preventing the Stars from leapfrogging the Omaha Knights
into first place. After a disappointing post-season he joined the San Diego Gulls of the Western Hockey League
for a couple of post-season games before finally joining up with the Baltimore Clippers
of the American Hockey League
. They were a perfect fit. Playing for the Clippers in 1970–71
, Speck scored 92 points and led the team to a first place AHL finish. Speck was named to the AHL first All-star team, and won three league awards; the Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award, the John B. Sollenberger Trophy
, and the Les Cunningham Award
.
He had impressed the hockey world again and on June 8, 1971, the Vancouver Canucks
claimed Speck in the Intra-League Draft. Speck joined the new NHL club for their first 18 games scoring one goal and two assists.
in the minors, splitting time between the Cleveland Barons of the AHL and the Seattle Totems
of the WHL. The following season saw Speck sign with the Minnesota Fighting Saints
of the World Hockey Association
where he put up impressive numbers before he was traded for Bill Young
in February to the Los Angeles Sharks
. He remained with the Sharks until 18 games into the 1973–74 season when Speck requested a transfer to the Michigan Stags
. Speck finished that season with the Greensboro Generals
of the Southern Hockey League
and began play in 1974–75 with the Syracuse Blazers
of the North American Hockey League
. Speck impressed once again, scoring 34 points in 17 games and leading the Blazers to a first place finish during the season, but a final round exit from the post season. After Syracuse, Speck again found himself playing for the Baltimore Clippers and picked up right where he left off, leading the Clippers in scoring with 75 points in 76 games for the 1975–76 season
. However the Clippers finished in last place and Speck felt it was time to move on yet again. He joined the Brantford Alexanders
of the upstart OHA Senior A Hockey League and played two solid seasons before retiring in 1977.
. Fred and Linda are the parents of two children, son Wade and daughter Paige. After retiring from hockey in 1978, Speck became a sales manager, a career he continued until he became ill in November 2010. He started to lose weight and died of an unknown illness on February 10, 2011.
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. A centre
Centre (ice hockey)
The centre in ice hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice, away from the side boards. Centres have more flexibility in their positioning and are expected to cover more ice surface than any other player...
, Speck had a brief major league career, playing in only 28 NHL and 111 WHA games. Speck enjoyed a successful minor league hockey career and won several awards in the 1970–71 season
1970–71 AHL season
The 1970–71 AHL season was the 35th season of the American Hockey League. Eight teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The Baltimore Clippers finished first overall in the regular season...
.
Minor league hockey
Speck was signed by the Detroit Red WingsDetroit 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...
of the NHL after a scout noticed his skills while playing junior hockey in Ontario. He was signed quickly and began play with the Hamilton Red Wings
Hamilton Red Wings
The Hamilton Red Wings were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association from 1960 to 1974. The team was based in Hamilton, Ontario.-History:...
of the Ontario Hockey Association
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
for a single game in 1963. He received more ice time the following season and began to produce offensively, scoring eight points in his first 17 games. His coaches saw promise and his ice time was again increased for the 1964–65 season. He took advantage and earned a permanent spot on the team by scoring 34 points in 41 games. Speck took on a larger role with Hamilton for three more seasons, each time increasing his point totals. He scored 197 points between 1965–66 and 1967–68, including 85 points in his final season. He formed a great counter-point to Danny Lawson
Danny Lawson
Daniel Michael Lawson was a professional ice hockey right winger, initially in the National Hockey League, but most notably in the World Hockey Association with the Philadelphia/Vancouver Blazers franchise...
and the pair finished with a combined 175 points in the 1967–68 season. He even helped fill a hole for the Fort Worth Wings of the Central Hockey League
Central Hockey League
The Central Hockey League is a mid-level professional hockey league, owned by Global Entertainment Corporation. Its current champions are the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, which defeated the Colorado Eagles four games to three in the 2011 playoffs....
that season, and scored a goal and an assist in his first game. He even helped out Fort Worth's short playoff run scoring four points. He impressed the Fort Worth coaches enough that it was decided he was ready for the next level. Speck joined Fort Worth full-time for the 1968–69 season, putting up 45 points.
Playing in the NHL
When the Detroit Red Wings needed to increase scoring and fill a roster spot midway through the 1968–69 NHL season, they turned to their farm system and the coaches responded by sending Speck. He did not deliver in his first five NHL games, but played his position smartly and was not afraid to shoot the puck. He received another chance to play for Detroit the following season, but again failed to impress in his short five game appearance.He continued his scoring way with Fort Worth and scored 76 points in the 1969–70 season. In the last game of the season, the Wings were playing the Iowa Stars
Iowa Stars
The Iowa Chops were a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. The club was based in Des Moines, Iowa at the Wells Fargo Arena.-History:...
, who were a point behind in the standings, and Speck single handedly prevented the Stars from finishing first. The Stars were ahead the entire game until Speck scored twice, both goals tying the game, in the final 3 minutes of the game. With 17:09 gone in the final period, Speck scored, tying the game 2-2. The Stars responded by scoring 61 seconds later. However, as the Wings pressed, Speck shot the puck and scored with 22 seconds left to again tie the game 3-3. The Wings hung on to end the game in a tie, preventing the Stars from leapfrogging the Omaha Knights
Omaha Knights
The Omaha Knights were a minor league professional ice hockey team from 1959 to 1975, based in Omaha, Nebraska at the Ak-Sar-Ben arena. The Knights were founded in 1959 as members of the International Hockey League...
into first place. After a disappointing post-season he joined the San Diego Gulls of the Western Hockey League
Western Hockey League (minor pro)
The Western Hockey League was a minor pro ice hockey league that operated from 1952 to 1974. Managed for most of its history by Hockey Hall of Fame member Al Leader, it was created out of the merger of the Pacific Coast Hockey League and the Western Canada Senior Hockey League...
for a couple of post-season games before finally joining up with the Baltimore Clippers
Baltimore Clippers
The Baltimore Clippers were an American ice hockey team. They were the first of three Baltimore entries into the American Hockey League, who played from 1962–76...
of the 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...
. They were a perfect fit. Playing for the Clippers in 1970–71
1970–71 AHL season
The 1970–71 AHL season was the 35th season of the American Hockey League. Eight teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The Baltimore Clippers finished first overall in the regular season...
, Speck scored 92 points and led the team to a first place AHL finish. Speck was named to the AHL first All-star team, and won three league awards; the Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award, the John B. Sollenberger Trophy
John B. Sollenberger Trophy
The John B. Sollenberger Trophy is given to American Hockey League's leading scorer for the season.The award was named for John B. Sollenberger in 1955. Sollenberger was a long-time contributor to the league as manager and president of the Hershey Bears and former Chairman of the Board of Governors...
, and the Les Cunningham Award
Les Cunningham Award
The Les Cunningham Award is given annually to American Hockey League's "Most Valuable Player" of the regular season, as voted on by AHL media and players....
.
He had impressed the hockey world again and on June 8, 1971, the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
claimed Speck in the Intra-League Draft. Speck joined the new NHL club for their first 18 games scoring one goal and two assists.
Finishing in the minors
After his NHL tour, Speck spent most of the 1971–72 season1971–72 AHL season
The 1971–72 AHL season was the 36th season of the American Hockey League. Major changes occurred in the off-season. The league welcomed four expansion teams, and lost both Quebec-based teams. Eleven teams played 76 games each in the schedule. The Boston Braves finished first overall in the regular...
in the minors, splitting time between the Cleveland Barons of the AHL and the Seattle Totems
Seattle Totems
The Seattle Totems were a professional ice hockey franchise in Seattle, Washington. They were a member of various minor professional and semi-professional leagues between 1945 and 1975. They played their home games in the Mercer Arena and later at the Seattle Center Coliseum...
of the WHL. The following season saw Speck sign with the Minnesota Fighting Saints
Minnesota Fighting Saints
The Minnesota Fighting Saints was the name of two professional ice hockey teams based in Saint Paul, Minnesota that played in the World Hockey Association. The first team was one of the WHA's original twelve franchises, playing from 1972–76. The second team was relocated from Cleveland, Ohio, and...
of the World Hockey Association
World Hockey Association
The World Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. It was the first major competition for the National Hockey League since the collapse of the Western Hockey League in 1926...
where he put up impressive numbers before he was traded for Bill Young
Bill Young
Charles William "Bill" Young is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1971. He is a member of the Republican Party, and is currently the longest-serving Republican member of Congress...
in February to the Los Angeles Sharks
Los Angeles Sharks
The Los Angeles Sharks were an ice hockey team that played in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1974. Their primary home arena was the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena but they sometimes played at the Long Beach Sports Arena when the Sports Arena had other contractual obligations...
. He remained with the Sharks until 18 games into the 1973–74 season when Speck requested a transfer to the Michigan Stags
Michigan Stags
The Michigan Stags were a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan that played a portion of the 1974–75 season in the World Hockey Association. On January 18, 1975, the franchise was moved to Baltimore where it was known as the Baltimore Blades. The Stags originated as the Los...
. Speck finished that season with the Greensboro Generals
Greensboro Generals
The Greensboro Generals were an ECHL team that existed from 1999-2004. The franchise replaced the Greensboro Monarchs, who called the city home from 1989-1995....
of the Southern Hockey League
Southern Hockey League (1973-1977)
The Southern Hockey League was a low-level minor professional ice hockey league that operated from 1973 to 1977. The SHL was one of two leagues along with the North American Hockey League, that were formed after the Eastern Hockey League ceased operations in 1973...
and began play in 1974–75 with the Syracuse Blazers
Syracuse Blazers
The Syracuse Blazers were a minor league hockey team that played in the Onondaga County War Memorial and New York State Fair Coliseum in Syracuse, New York....
of the North American Hockey League
North American Hockey League
The North American Hockey League is one of the top junior hockey leagues in the United States and is enterting its 36th season in 2011-12. It is currently the only Junior A Tier II league, sanctioned by USA Hockey. The NAHL currently acts as an alternative to the United States Hockey League...
. Speck impressed once again, scoring 34 points in 17 games and leading the Blazers to a first place finish during the season, but a final round exit from the post season. After Syracuse, Speck again found himself playing for the Baltimore Clippers and picked up right where he left off, leading the Clippers in scoring with 75 points in 76 games for the 1975–76 season
1975–76 AHL season
The 1975–76 AHL season was the 40th season of the American Hockey League. The league begins to give out three James H. Ellery Memorial Awards to the media, one each for outstanding newspaper, radio and television coverage of the AHL....
. However the Clippers finished in last place and Speck felt it was time to move on yet again. He joined the Brantford Alexanders
Brantford Alexanders
The Brantford Alexanders were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League and Ontario Hockey League from 1978 to 1984. The team was based in Brantford, Ontario.-History:...
of the upstart OHA Senior A Hockey League and played two solid seasons before retiring in 1977.
Awards and achievements
- Named to AHLAmerican Hockey LeagueThe 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...
First All-Star Team: 1970–711970–71 AHL seasonThe 1970–71 AHL season was the 35th season of the American Hockey League. Eight teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The Baltimore Clippers finished first overall in the regular season... - Won Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award, (AHL Rookie of the Year): 1970–71
- Won John B. Sollenberger TrophyJohn B. Sollenberger TrophyThe John B. Sollenberger Trophy is given to American Hockey League's leading scorer for the season.The award was named for John B. Sollenberger in 1955. Sollenberger was a long-time contributor to the league as manager and president of the Hershey Bears and former Chairman of the Board of Governors...
, (AHL Leading Scorer): 1970–71 - Won Les Cunningham AwardLes Cunningham AwardThe Les Cunningham Award is given annually to American Hockey League's "Most Valuable Player" of the regular season, as voted on by AHL media and players....
, (AHL MVP): 1970–71
Personal
Speck met his wife while playing junior hockey with the Hamilton Red WingsHamilton Red Wings
The Hamilton Red Wings were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association from 1960 to 1974. The team was based in Hamilton, Ontario.-History:...
. Fred and Linda are the parents of two children, son Wade and daughter Paige. After retiring from hockey in 1978, Speck became a sales manager, a career he continued until he became ill in November 2010. He started to lose weight and died of an unknown illness on February 10, 2011.