NAHL
A website called the Encyclopedia of the North American
Hockey League cannot be even close to complete without an article on the man
with the record for most goals in a single season. Dave Staffen set that mark
in the NAHL’s final season of existence, 1976-77, as a member of the Binghamton
Dusters.
In tandem with Rod
Bloomfield, who recorded 124 assists in 1976-77, Staffen put in an
incredible 87 goals over 74 regular season games. Of course, he led the league
in goals. With 40 helpers, his 127 points placed him tied for second in the
league, behind Bloomfield’s 173.
Dave toned it down in the post season, scoring six goals and
assisting on five over ten games. After finishing third overall in the eight
team league, the Dusters were swept by the Maine Nordiques in the semi-finals.
The only other year Staffen played in the NAHL was 1975-76. He
started the year with the Erie Blades and played 62 games with the club. His
final ten games of the season were played with the Syracuse
Blazers. Combined, he scored 41 goals and assisted on 27 for 66 points. His
goal total played his tenth in the league.
In the 1975-76 post season, Dave scored eight goals in eight
games for the Blazers with no assists and a hefty 41 minutes in penalties. Syracuse
reached the semi-finals before being swept by the Beauce Jaros.
Junior Hockey
Staffen played three years in the Ontario Hockey Association
from 1971-72 to 1973-74. After playing his first year exclusively with the Kitchener
Rangers, Dave was traded to the Hamilton Red Wings during the 1972-73
season. The following year, Hamilton traded him mid-season to the Ottawa 67’s.
Pro Hockey
Staffen was drafted into both the National Hockey League and
World Hockey Association. At the 1974 NHL Amateur Draft, Dave was taken in the
ninth round by the Minnesota North Stars, 148th overall. In the 1974
WHA Amateur Draft, it was the New England Whalers that selected him in the 13th
round, 211th overall.
Dave played pro hockey from 1974-75 to 1977-78 in the IHL,
NAHL and AHL. In his rookie year, split his season between the Lansing Lancers
and Fort Wayne Komets of the IHL. He played a combined 74 games, scoring 37 goals
and assisting on 27 for 64 points – decent numbers for a first year player.
When the NAHL shut down after the 1976-77 season, the
Dusters moved to the American Hockey League. Staffen came with the team to the
AHL for the 1977-78 season but played just three games, scoring one goal. He
went on to finish the season in the OHA Senior circuit before retiring from the
game.
