Last week I had the pleasure of interviewing Blake Dunlop. Recognize the name? If not, here’s some info about him.
Blake Dunlop was born in 1953 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He grew up in the Ottawa area. Blake was an outstanding hockey player, he played four season with the Ottawa 67’s, leading the league in points in the 1972-73 season. In the 1973 NHL draft, he was picked 18th overall by the Minnesota North Stars. After being traded the the St. Louis Blues in 1979, Blake started to experience his most successful NHL years. After five great years with the Blues, Blake was traded to the Detroit Red Wings, where he would retire after one season with them in 1984. Throughout his career Blake played 550 NHL games, getting 130 goals and 274 assist for an impressive 404 career NHL points.
I’d like to thank Blake for taking the time to answer these question for me, it is greatly appreciated. Now sit back, relax, maybe grab a coffee (or another beverage...) and enjoy the interview.
1- Many NHL players give a lot of credit to family members or influential coaches that helped them become the player they are today. Do you have anyone that made a big impact in your hockey career?
(Blake) Yes, there are always a number of people who become instrumental in you development and opportunity. Starting as a youngster it was my parents who gave me the introduction to hockey and also provided the time, energy and finances necessary to travel and compete not only in Ottawa where i grew up but across Ontario and Quebec as well. Then it was an individual, Grant Macintosh that provided the funding for the team I played for from Pee Wee up to the local JR.A level, affording me the place to show and develop my skills. Bill Long, my major JR. A coach was the one who gave me the most opportunity and helped me develop into a leader and a scoring champion through the crucial growing years of age 16-19. During my professional career, Pat Quinn, Bob McCammon in Philadelphia and Red Berenson in St. Louis were the coached that taught and brought out the best in me as a player!
2- Between 1973-1978 you got shifted around quite a bit between the NHL, AHL and CHL. And then between 1980-1982 you were a point per game player with the St. Louis Blues. What kept you motivated and do you have any advice for a young player trying to make that jump to starting his NHL career?
(Blake) I had suffered a couple of serious injuries (knee, hamstring tear) early in my NHL career that held me back but I was determined to prove that I was a quality player of NHL caliber. I had great success as the MVP in the AHL so I felt with hard work and the right opportunity I could succeed. The flyers gave me that chance and from there my career blossomed even further when I was given a bigger offensive role with the blues. Persistent, hard work and dedication to hockey are the most important qualities for any young person striving to succeed.
3- You’ve had a lot of achievements throughout your career. Being drafted 18th overall in 1973, getting the Fred. T Hunt memorial award and the Lee Cunningham award in 1978 and the Bill Masterson trophy in 1981. What would you say is your greatest achievement in hockey?
(Blake) Winning the Bill Masterson trophy and being recognized for sportsmanship perseverance and dedication to hockey in the best league in the world was a great honour for me!
4- The years you played there were some of the best players to ever hit the ice in the NHL. In the 1980-81 season you were 20th in points. How did it feel to be in the top 20 in the league alongside big names such as Wayne Gretzky, Marcel Dionne and Mike Bossy.
(Blake) It was exciting and rewarding for my career to finally reach that level of success that I had worked so hard to achieve and to be recognized or included with the group you mentioned was an honour.
5- You retired after the 1983-84 season. How was life after retirement? Did you have any other goals or aspirations that you followed after you NHL career?
(Blake) Yes, I entered into the investment management business, right out of hockey in 1984 with AG Edwards and have had a very exciting, successful 34 career and counting! I have been blessed and now have my son, Connor as a partner in our thriving business. Thanks
So there you have it! An outstanding NHL career and a great life after hockey. Thank you Blake for answering my interview question and I hope you all enjoyed it.
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