Larry Mickey
Robert Larry Mickey was a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played in the National Hockey League with the Chicago Black Hawks, New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers and Buffalo Sabres. Mickey started his NHL career with the Black Hawks during the 1964–65 season.
While playing with the Omaha Knights, Mickey was named to the first team of the Central Hockey League All-Stars during the 1966-67 season, and his team advanced to the Adams Cup finals that same year.
On April 16, 1967, the night before the third game of the Adams Cup best-of-seven play-off series between the Omaha Knights and the Oklahoma City Blazers, Mickey was driving with his wife, Eleanor, on a country road near Seward, Nebraska late on Sunday night. The road's visibility was reduced to nearly zero as a result of blowing dust from a nearby field, and Mickey was involved in a two-car, head-on collision. Mickey suffered cuts, bruises and a broken left arm, while Eleanor was killed in the crash.
While Mickey had many accomplishments in the NHL, he was also known for his community involvement with youth hockey and children with special needs. Mickey is recognized as one of the early founders of the Buffalo Jr. Sabres. This franchise was established in Buffalo, New York in 1975. During its history, a half-dozen former Buffalo Sabres served as head coach or assistant coach. Mickey coached the team from 1975 to the end of the 1977 season.Death
Mickey committed suicide in Buffalo on July 23, 1982, by sitting in his car with the engine running in his garage.
