Barry Ashbee

Infobox Ice Hockey Player


image_size =
position = Defence
played_for = Boston Bruins
Philadelphia Flyers
shot = Right
height_ft = 5
height_in = 10
weight_lb = 180
nationality = CAN
birth_date = birth date|1939|7|28|mf=y
birth_place = Weston, ON, CAN
career_start = 1959
career_end = 1974
death_date = death date and age|1977|5|12|1939|7|28
death_place =

William Barry Ashbee [Find A Grave, [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=10493 William Barry Ashbee (1939-1977)] ] (July 28, 1939 in Weston, Ontario – May 12, 1977) was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played five seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers.

Playing career

Ashbee played his junior hockey with the Barrie Flyers in the Ontario Hockey Association, started his professional career by playing eight seasons with the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League, although he did play 14 games with the Boston Bruins of the NHL during the 1965–66 season. He became an NHL regular with the Philadelphia Flyers during the 1970–71 season, and soon became one of their best defenceman. In fact, he was named to the NHL Second All-Star team and won a Stanley Cup with the team during the 1973–74 season, and had a +52 plus/minus rating during the regular season. However, his career also ended that year during the playoffs against the New York Rangers due to a severe eye injury.

Retirement and death

Ashbee became an assistant coach with the team the next season, and initially declined the job because he thought it was offered to him just out of sympathy. His number 4 was retired by the Flyers during that season as well. However Ashbee was told that he had leukemia in April, 1977, and he died the next month. The Barry Ashbee Trophy is now awarded each season to the best defenceman for the Flyers.

Awards

*NHL All-Star Second Team (1974)
*Stanley Cup Champions Player (1974), Ass't Coach (1975)

Career statistics

References

External links

*hockeydb|00000117
*legendsofhockey|11874