1972-73 O-Pee-Chee 300 Les Binkley Hockey Card (Front)
1972-73 O-Pee-Chee 300 Les Binkley Hockey Card (Back)
1972-73 O-Pee-Chee NHL Checklist
Card Notes
Les is a real leader on the ice and off. Les spent one season as a trainer for Cleveland before finally breaking into the NHL in 67-68. In playoff action, had a sizzling 2.10 goals against average.
En Français
Les est un vrai meneur d’hommes sur la glace comme en dehors. Il a passé une saison comme entraîneur pour Cleveland avant d’avoir sa chance dans la LNH en 1967. Durant les éliminatoires, il eut une excellent moyenne de “buts contre” (2.10).
Details
The Pittsburgh Penguins obtained Les Binkley via a trade with the Detroit Red Wings, a team he never played for, over the summer of 1967. Pittsburgh took Joe Daley and Roy Edwards as their goalies in the 1967 NHL Expansion Draft. However, it was Binkley that turned out to their number one in their inaugural NHL season with Hank Bassen serving as backup. Neither Daley or Edwards appeared in a game for the Pens in 1967-68.
The sizzling 2.10 goals against average in playoff action refers to the 1969-70 season. He played all seven games for Pittsburgh in the playoffs, the only seven NHL post season games over his career. The Penguins swept the Oakland Seals in the opening round before falling to the St. Louis Blues in the semi-final.
With the Ottawa Nationals in 1972-73, Les appeared in 30 games, backing up Gilles Gratton. He would remain with the franchise as it moved to Toronto for the following season. He would play sparingly for the Toros until retiring after the 1975-76 season.
After 13 years of minor pro hockey, Binkley savoured his opportunity with the Penguins. Between 1967-68 and 1971-72, he appeared in 196 National Hockey League games and recorded a respectable eleven shutouts.