Jim McBurney

Jim McBurney only played one game as a professional hockey player. It came on February 7th, 1953 with the Chicago Black Hawks against the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs.

McBurney was having a fantastic season with the Galt Black Hawks. He would end the season leading all scorers in Ontario junior hockey with 61 goals and 96 points in 55 games.

The pint-sized left winger (he stood just five-foot-seven and weighed just 150 pounds) played on a line with veterans Gerry Couture and the aging legend Sid Abel. Abel scored the Hawks first goal on this night, with McBurney earning an assist.

That was it. Despite what by all accounts was a solid NHL debut, McBurney never turned pro, not even in the minor leagues. He would return home to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. He would play five seasons of senior hockey with the Greyhounds, leading the league in goal scoring twice.