Legends of Team Canada: Dave Hindmarch

In the 1984-85 season the NHL mandated the use of the movable nets. Place upon flexible "Marsh Pegs," the nets would safely breakaway when too much force was applied. This has saved countless injuries over the years. Prior to this innovation many players were seriously hurt when they crashed into the old immovable nets.

One such victim was Calgary's Dave Hindmarch. In the season prior to the adoption of the Marsh Pegs, Hindmarch, tripped by Rick Lanz, crashed into the posts in a game against Vancouver on December 16th, 1983. Hindmarch seriously damaged the cartilage in both needs. Doctors described the injury more in line with that of a car accident rather than a hockey play.

Hindmarch was left in a wheelchair for weeks as he underwent major reconstructive knee surgery on both knees. That surgery required intense rehabilitation for a year and a half. Yet doctors still told him he should not play hockey again. His NHL career was over after just 99 games. He scored 21 goals and 38 points. 

Hindmarch was a promising young player, just entering his second full season in the NHL. Although his father was a legendary player and coach at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver born Dave opted to play and study at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, helping the Golden Bears win a national title in 1978. He would lead the entire Canadian university scene in goals the following year.

In 1980 he opted to play neither college or pro, but rather with the Canadian national team with dream of playing in the Olympics at Lake Placid. He had a strong showing in those Olympics, with 3 goals and  7 points in 6 games. No doubt Dave's dad Bob was instrumental in instilling the Olympic dream. Bob worked with Father David Bauer as general manger and assistant coach of the 1964 Canadian Olympic team.

Hindmarch turned pro following the games, although much of his first couple of seasons were played in the minor leagues. In his first call up he scored his first NHL goal in his first NHL game. 

His first full season was not until 1982-83 when he caught on as a defensive forward with the Flames. He did manage to score 11 goals and 23 points in a season truncataed to 60 games due to an ankle injury.

After giving up on a return to hockey, Hindmarch decided to finish his degree in physical education. He graduated from UBC where his dad had now risen to the title of athletic director.

At last report Dave was a high school P.E. teacher at Chatelech Secondary School in Sechelt on British Columbia's beautiful sunshine coast.