Robert James Dorey (born August 17, 1947) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played over 650 professional games in the National Hockey League (NHL) and World Hockey Association (WHA). Dorey was a defenceman who played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Rangers in the NHL. He also had a long career in the WHA playing for New England Whalers, Toronto Toros and Quebec Nordiques and played on two Avco World Trophy winning teams.

Pro career

Dorey with the New England Whalers, c. 1972

Dorey made his NHL debut with the Maple Leafs on October 16, 1968 in a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, during which he received 48 penalty minutes, an NHL single-game record at the time. His rugged, aggressive style made him as a Leaf mainstay for the next four seasons. The New York Rangers acquired him for Pierre Jarry late in the 1971–72 season, when Maple Leaf management suspected he might be about to jump to the fledgling WHA. Dorey played just one regular season game with the Rangers before suffering a separated shoulder. He returned to play in game six of the 1972 Stanley Cup Finals. That summer he signed with the WHA's New England Whalers and made the WHA All-Star Team on the Second Team. Dorey became a WHA star for the entire seven seasons of the league's existence.

After his retirement he coached the Kingston Canadians of the Ontario Hockey League. He was inducted into the Kingston and District Sports Hall of Fame.

Dorey ended his career as an Allstate Insurance agent in his hometown, and retired in March 2008. He later opened his own insurance brokerage in Kingston.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
1963–64Niagara Falls FlyersOHA211014
1965–66London NationalsOHA4752025168
1966–67London NationalsOHA4884149196627924
1967–68Phoenix RoadrunnersWHL40002
1967–68Tulsa OilersCPHL3542428811135815
1967–68Rochester AmericansAHL2003316
1968–69Toronto Maple LeafsNHL6182230200401121
1969–70Toronto Maple LeafsNHL466111799
1970–71Toronto Maple LeafsNHL7472229198601119
1971–72Toronto Maple LeafsNHL504192356
1971-72New York RangersNHL1000010000
1972–73New England WhalersWHA757566395153161941
1973–74New England WhalersWHA7764046134606626
1974–75New England WhalersWHA315172243
1974–75Toronto TorosWHA431123346962682
1975–76Toronto TorosWHA7495160134
1976–77Quebec NordiquesWHA731334471021002228
1977–78Quebec NordiquesWHA261910231103334
1977–78Philadelphia FirebirdsAHL50116
1978–79Quebec NordiquesWHA320221730000
1980–81New Haven NighthawksAHL2107730
WHA totals431522322846175153338131
NHL totals2322574995531102240

External links

  • Biographical information and career statistics from , or , or , or
Preceded byRick CornacchiaHead coach of the Kingston Canadians 1984–1985Succeeded byFred O'Donnell
Preceded byJacques TremblayHead coach of the Kingston Canadians 1987–1988Succeeded byLarry Mavety