Don Wheldon

Donald Edward Whelden (December 28, 1954 – June 3, 1985) was an American professional ice hockey defenseman who played two games for the St. Louis Blues in the 1974–75 season. He was born in Falmouth, Massachusetts.

Wheldon became the youngest US Player to appear in an NHL Game post 1967 Expansion at 19 years and 10 months. He supplanted Joe Noris. Bobby Carpenter supplanted Wheldon in 1981.

Whelden was killed on June 3, 1985, when a bolt of lightning hit a tree outside the home and broke a window above the head of his bed. His wife Linda was at his side and survived the tragic incident.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1971–72 Riverview Reds NBJHL 24 6 11 17 59 — — — — — 1971–72 Moncton Beavers NBJHL 15 3 12 15 10 — — — — — 1972–73 London Knights OHA 65 2 7 9 70 — — — — — 1973–74 London Knights OHA 70 5 27 32 88 — — — — — 1974–75 St. Louis Blues NHL 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 1974–75 Denver Spurs CHL 8 0 1 1 8 — — — — — 1974–75 Columbus Owls IHL 43 6 12 18 28 5 2 1 3 2 1975–76 Winston-Salem Polar Twins SHL 70 11 28 39 52 4 1 0 1 4 1976–77 Winston-Salem Polar Twins SHL 37 9 13 22 14 — — — — — SHL totals 107 20 41 61 66 4 1 0 1 4 NHL totals 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — —