Scott Campbell (ice hockey, born 1957)

Gary Scott Campbell[1] (June 22, 1957 – September 3, 2022) was a Canadian ice hockey defenceman who was drafted first overall by the Houston Aeros of the World Hockey Association (WHA) in the 1977 WHA Amateur Draft. Campbell was born in Toronto, Ontario, but grew up in Guelph, Ontario.

Scott Campbell
Born (1957-06-22)June 22, 1957
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Died September 3, 2022(2022-09-03) (aged 65)
Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
Position Defence
Shot Left
Played for Houston Aeros
Winnipeg Jets
St. Louis Blues
NHL draft 9th overall, 1977
St. Louis Blues
WHA draft 1st overall, 1977
Houston Aeros
Playing career 1977–1982

Playing career

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After a stellar junior career with the London Knights, Campbell was selected first overall by the Houston Aeros of the World Hockey Association (WHA) in the 1977 WHA Amateur Draft, as well as ninth overall by the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the 1977 NHL amateur draft. Campbell opted to join the Aeros.

Campbell played 149 WHA games for the Aeros and the Winnipeg Jets, and came to the NHL with the Jets when they joined that league in 1980. He and Morris Lukowich were the two players protected by the Jets from the dispersal draft, showing the faith the team had in his abilities. However, the cold weather in Winnipeg exacerbated a chronic asthma condition and he requested a trade after a season there. The asthma condition ultimately forced him into retirement at the age of 25 after briefly also playing for the St. Louis Blues.

Post hockey

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After retiring from professional hockey, Campbell became involved in harness racing and found success as a stable owner. He died on September 3, 2022, from cancer.[2][3]

Career statistics

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    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1973–74 Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters SOJHL
1974–75 London Knights OMJHL 68 4 15 19 52
1975–76 London Knights OMJHL 62 6 25 31 66 5 0 0 0 13
1976–77 London Knights OMJHL 60 23 44 67 86 20 5 8 13 18
1977–78 Houston Aeros WHA 75 8 29 37 116 6 1 1 2 8
1978–79 Winnipeg Jets WHA 74 3 15 18 248 10 0 2 2 25
1979–80 Winnipeg Jets NHL 63 3 17 20 136
1980–81 Winnipeg Jets NHL 14 1 4 5 55
1980–81 Tulsa Oilers CHL 3 0 0 0 9
1981–82 St. Louis Blues NHL 3 0 0 0 52
1981–82 Salt Lake Golden Eagles AHL 3 0 1 1 31
WHA totals 149 11 44 55 364 16 1 3 4 33
NHL totals 80 4 21 25 243

References

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  1. ^ Surgent, Scott (2013). The Complete World Hockey Association, 9e. Tempe, Arizona. p. 224. ISBN 978-1-490967400.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  2. ^ "Former Jets captain, Avco Cup champion Scott Campbell passes away after battle with cancer".
  3. ^ "CAMPBELL, Scott". September 6, 2022.
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Preceded by St. Louis Blues first round draft pick
1977
Succeeded by
Preceded by WHA First Overall Draft Pick
1977
Succeeded by
None
Preceded by Houston Aeros first round draft pick
1977
Succeeded by
None