By: Andrew Lindroth | Follow me on Twitter! @andrewlindrothh
Dunc Fisher was born on August 30th, 1927, in Regina, Saskatewchan, Canada. He began playing juniors in the SJHL as a 17-year-old forward and suited up for the Regina Abbotts (SJHL) and the Regina Pats (SJHL). From 1994-1947, the winger racked up 52 goals and 77 points in 59 games. Following a successful three-year junior career, Dunc went on to sign his first professional contract with the New York Rangers (NHL) and was assigned to their minor-pro affiliate, the New Haven Gamblers (AHL). During the 1947-1948 season, Dunc scored 25 goals and 59 points and often played first-line minutes.
Following his first minor-pro hockey season, the New York Rangers promoted the 5’7, 170-pound winger and became a mainstay in their lineup over the next few years. From 1948-1950, Dunc recorded 21 goals and 58 points in 130 contests and even played the most games in the league during his freshman year. Unfortunately, he struggled during the 1950-1951 season, resulting in a 12-game slump (zero points). His performance also led to his departure from New York as the team sent him to the Boston Bruins in exchange for Ed Harrison and Zellio Toppazzini. The forward finished the year with fire and scored nine goals and 20 points in 53 games for the Bruins.
The 24-year-old continued another productive NHL campaign during 1951-1952, serving as a middle-six forward for the Bruins and contributing secondary scoring. He finished the year with 65 appearances, and during that time, he recorded 15 goals and 27 points, including only one minor penalty (two PIM). However, the following season, his tenure with the Bruins would last just seven more games until the Bruins decided to trade Dunc Fisher and Ellard O’Brien to the Hershey Bears (AHL) in exchange for defenseman Ray Gariepy.
After spending the past four seasons as an NHL player, Dunc found himself in the American Hockey League (AHL) jungle but never gave up on his dream to grind his way back to the National Hockey League. In the meantime, the undersized forward made Hershey his home for the next eight seasons, dominating the league year by year as a point-per-game player. His most productive season recorded was in 1957-1958, when the 30-year-old scored an astounding 41 goals and 88 points in 70 games.
Hard work paid off as Dunc did return to the NHL one final time. On April 23rd, 1958, the Hershey Bears (AHL) traded Dunc to the Detroit Red Wings for Hec Lalande, Don Poile, and cash. The forward went on to play just seven games a Red-Wing before concluding the year and later that summer re-signed with the Hershey Bears to finish his professional playing career. He ended up retiring in 1960 and left a legendary mark in Hershey as one of their most productive forwards during that time, producing 285 goals and 620 points in 579 games.
Following his retirement, Dunc served as head coach for the Regina St.Pats (SPHL) from 1962-1964, and later managed his hometowns’ city aquatic center until he retired. He also was inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in 2011 and the Hershey Bear’s (AHL) Hall of Fame in 2014.
During his six-year tenure in the NHL, Dunc tallied 45 goals and 115 points in 274 games. Dunc Fisher eventually passed away on September 22nd, 2017, in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada at the age of 90.
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