Doug Barkley

Norman Douglas Barkley (born January 6, 1937) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. He played in the National Hockey League with the Chicago Black Hawks and Detroit Red Wings between 1957 and 1966. After his playing career, he was the head coach of the Red Wings from 1970 to 1971 and again between 1975 and 1976. From 1980 to 2001 he worked as the color commentator for the Calgary Flames.

Playing career Barkley's playing career ended from an on-ice accident that rendered him blind in his right eye. On January 30, 1966, Barkley, playing for the Detroit Red Wings, was battling with Chicago's Doug Mohns for a puck at the blue line. Mohns attempted to lift Barkley's stick, but missed, and struck the bent-over Barkley directly in his right eye. Barkley would never play again. In 253 NHL games Barkley recorded 24 goals and 80 assists for 104 career points.

Coaching career Following his career-ending injury, Barkley joined the Detroit front office, working in public relations and as a troubleshooter. In 1969 he was appointed head coach of the Fort Worth Wings of the Central Hockey League (Detroit's top farm team), and on January 10, 1971, Barkley was promoted to head coach of the Detroit Red Wings. He coached less than one year before decididing to resign eleven games (where they went 3-8-0) into the 1971–72 season due to not being able to handle the "pressure" from fans and commentators. He was replaced by Johnny Wilson. Barkley returned to coach the Wings again in 1975, but lasted just 26 games before being fired and replaced by Alex Delvecchio, a former teammate.

Barkley now lives in Calgary, Alberta.

Broadcast career From 1980-2001, Barkley joined Calgary Flames play-by-play man Peter Maher in the radio broadcast booth as a colour commentator.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1955–56 Medicine Hat Tigers WCJHL 44 19 10 29 85 5 0 2 2 0 1956–57 Calgary Stampeders WHL 63 4 8 12 112 3 0 0 0 0 1957–58 Chicago Black Hawks NHL 3 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 1957–58 Calgary Stampeders WHL 31 3 5 8 72 14 2 1 3 37 1957–58 Buffalo Bisons AHL 27 0 3 3 22 — — — — — 1958–59 Buffalo Bisons AHL 55 2 5 7 59 8 0 0 0 12 1959–60 Chicago Black Hawks NHL 3 0 0 0 2 — — — — — 1959–60 Calgary Stampeders WHL 55 7 18 25 82 — — — — — 1960–61 Buffalo Bisons AHL 66 9 28 37 106 4 0 1 1 10 1961–62 Calgary Stampeders WHL 70 25 49 74 82 7 2 3 5 17 1962–63 Detroit Red Wings NHL 70 3 24 27 78 11 0 3 3 16 1963–64 Detroit Red Wings NHL 67 11 21 32 115 14 0 5 5 33 1964–65 Detroit Red Wings NHL 67 5 20 25 122 5 0 1 1 14 1965–66 Detroit Red Wings NHL 43 5 15 20 65 — — — — — NHL totals 253 24 80 104 382 30 0 9 9 63

NHL coaching record Team Year Regular season Postseason G W L T Pts Finish Result Detroit Red Wings 1970–71 40 10 37 7 27 6th in East Missed playoffs Detroit Red Wings 1971–72 11 3 8 0 6 5th in East Resigned Detroit Red Wings 1975–76 26 7 15 4 18 4th in Norris Fired NHL totals 77 20 60 11