Hap Myers

Hap Myers grew up in the bitterly cold confines of Edmonton Alberta - a region of the world deep in hockey history.

Myers became a storied part of that history, and did so long before the Edmonton Oilers or Wayne Gretzky were ever heard of in the "City of Champions."

Myers starred as a defenseman with the junior Edmonton Oil Kings. The Oil Kings were one of the most powerful junior hockey franchises of all time. During Myers stay, he participated in back-to-back Memorial Cup championship in 1965 and 1966. The team came up short of the title first time around but won the national junior championship in 1966.

Myers remained with the Oil Kings until the age of 21 when he was no longer eligible to play junior hockey. The life long Edmonton native left home and joined the Fort Worth Wings of the Central Hockey League, a Detroit Red Wings affiliate, in 1968.

He played well enough with the Wings to earn a promotion to AHL Cleveland Barons where his progress continued, but he never would get a chance to play for the Detroit Red Wings. The Buffalo Sabres claimed Myers from the Wings in the 1970 Reverse Draft for their expansion season.

Myers relished his opportunity to play in the big leagues. It wasn't nearly as long as he would have like. He spent most of the year back in the minors, this time way out in Salt Lake City with the WHL's Golden Eagles. But Myers got into 13 games with the Sabres. His only statistic of note was an unimpressive minus 11 defensive rating.

Myers would never make it back to the NHL, but enjoyed 3 more years with the Sabres new AHL affiliate in Cincinnati. He helped the Swords capture the 1973 Calder Cup as AHL champions. He also helped to groom a young Bill Hajt.

When the Swords were disbanded in the summer of 1974, Myers opted to retire rather than pursue opportunities in the World Hockey Association. He eventually returned to Edmonton where he remains active in coaching youth hockey to this day.