Peter McDuffe - Athlete (Ice Hockey) - Class of 2017
Peter McDuffe began a successful Junior ice hockey career playing for the St. Catherines Blackhawks from 1954-1968. His strong play in net caught the attention of the National Hockey League's Chicago Blackhawks who originally drafted him before he was claimed by Phoenix of the Western Hockey League in the Reverse Draft of June 1969. A month later Peter's rights were traded to the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League.
In the 1968-69 season, Peter went professional playing with the Eastern Hockey League's Greensboro Generals. He was named top rookie and first team All-Star that season.
Peter's success continued, having a stellar two-year tenure with the Omaha Rangers of the Central Hockey League. In the 1969-70 season Peter had a league high 26 wins, was part of the second team All-Stars and shared the league Most Valuable Player award. He was also a member of the first team All-Star game the following year.
While standing between the pipes for the Denver Spurs in the 1971-72 season, Peter had a 0.888 save percentage with 517 saves over 21 games. He was also named the Western Hockey League's top goaltender that year.
His National Hockey League debut came in the spring of 1971 with the St. Louis Blues. He would spend time over the next five years playing in the NHL, with four different clubs including the New York Rangers, Kansas City Scouts, and Detroit Red Wings. The lifelong Miltonian had an overall 4.08 Goals Against Average with a 0.858 save percentage during his time in the NHL.