Robert Bruce Affleck (born May 5, 1954) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League between 1975 and 1984. Currently he serves as an executive for the St. Louis Blues, the team with which he spent most of his playing career.

Playing career

Affleck was drafted in the 2nd round (21st overall) in the 1974 NHL Amateur Draft by the California Seals from the University of Denver. He turned pro the following season, and spent the first half of the year with the Seals' Central Hockey League farm team in Salt Lake, but was dealt to the St. Louis Blues before he ever played a game in California. He finished the season with a 13-game callup to the Blues, recording 2 assists.

In 1975–76, Affleck made the Blues' squad full-time and was a huge success as a mobile, puck-moving defender. He played in all 80 of the team's games, recorded 4 goals and 30 points, and was named the team's Rookie of the Year. His 26 assists were the most of any Blues blueliner.

Affleck spent three seasons as a regular in the Blues' lineup. However, by 1977–78 he was struggling, as he slumped to 18 points and a -56 rating on a St. Louis team which finished with just 20 wins and missed the playoffs. In 1978–79, he lost his spot on the Blues, playing only 26 games and spending most of the season in the Central Hockey League, where he was named the league's top defender.

For the 1979–80 season, Affleck was sold to the Vancouver Canucks. However, he again spent most of the season in the CHL, where he was named the league's top defender. He did play in 5 games for the Canucks, recording an assist. He signed as a free agent with the New York Islanders for the 1980–81 season, but did not see a game for the Islanders, although he was named the CHL's top defender for the second consecutive season, this time playing for the Indianapolis Checkers.

Affleck spent the majority of the next two seasons playing in Switzerland, although he returned to Indianapolis for the close of the CHL season and playoffs both years, helping the team to two championships. He returned to Indianapolis full-time for the 1983–84 season, and was named the league's top defender for the third time along with MVP honours. He also received a one-game callup to the Islanders, five years after his last NHL action. He retired at the conclusion of the season.

Affleck finished his NHL career with 14 goals and 80 points, along with 86 penalty minutes, in 280 games.

TV and Management career

Following his career, Affleck returned to St. Louis as a TV color commentator and reporter for the St. Louis Blues. He currently serves as the team's Vice President of Sales.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
1971–72Penticton BroncosBCJHL57316910091—————
1972–73University of DenverWCHA396192530—————
1973–74University of DenverWCHA388233142—————
1974–75St. Louis BluesNHL13022410000
1974–75Salt Lake Golden EaglesCHL350141428—————
1974–75Springfield IndiansAHL813412—————
1975–76St. Louis BluesNHL80426302030000
1976–77St. Louis BluesNHL80520252440000
1977–78St. Louis BluesNHL754141826—————
1978–79St. Louis BluesNHL2613412—————
1978–79Salt Lake Golden EaglesCHL488313930100442
1979–80Vancouver CanucksNHL50110—————
1979–80Dallas Black HawksCHL7210536339—————
1980–81Indianapolis CheckersCHL77850584152682
1981–82Indianapolis CheckersCHL16517224131171816
1982–83Kloten FlyersNDA30612180—————
1982–83Indianapolis CheckersCHL821214013018182
1983–84New York IslandersNHL10000—————
1983–84Indianapolis CheckersCHL541340531820000
NHL totals2801466808680000

Awards and honours

AwardYear
All-WCHA First Team1972–73
All-NCAA All-Tournament Team1973
All-WCHA Second Team1973–74
CHL Top Defender1979–80 1980–81 1983–84
CHL co-MVP1983–84

External links

  • Biographical information and career statistics from , or , or , or
Awards and achievements
Preceded byKelly HrudeyWinner of the Tommy Ivan Trophy shared with John Vanbiesbrouck 1983–84Succeeded byNone