Robert Larry Mickey (October 21, 1943 — July 23, 1982) was a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Chicago Black Hawks, New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers and Buffalo Sabres between 1965 and 1975.
While playing with the Buffalo Sabres of the NHL, Mickey became one of the early founders of Buffalo Jr. Sabres, a Junior "A" ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York, and coached the team from 1975 through 1977. Larry Mickey (October 21, 1943 – July 23, 1982) was a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Chicago Black Hawks, New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers, and Buffalo Sabres between 1965 and 1975. Beyond his playing career, Mickey was deeply involved in community and youth hockey development. He was recognized for his dedication to coaching young players and for his outreach to children with special needs. Mickey was one of the early founders of the Buffalo Jr. Sabres, established in 1975 in Buffalo, New York. https://buffalojrsabres.pointstreaksites.com/view/buffalojrsabres/team/history-58 The organization became a cornerstone of Western New York’s hockey community, helping to develop numerous players and coaches. Mickey served as head coach of the Jr. Sabres from 1975 through the 1977 season. His legacy in hockey continues through his son, Cory Mickey, who operates 3D Hockey Player Development https://www.3d.hockey a training organization dedicated to advancing youth and elite-level players. His grandson, Shane Mickey, is an emerging young hockey player, carrying forward the family’s passion for the game.
Playing career 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.All-Star's Wife Killed: The Montréal Gazette, April 17, 1967, Page 33
Community Involvement Beyond his playing career, Mickey was deeply involved in community and youth hockey development. He was recognized for his dedication to coaching young players and for his outreach to children with special needs.
Mickey was one of the early founders of the Buffalo Jr. Sabres, established in 1975 in Buffalo, New York. The organization became a cornerstone of Western New York’s hockey community, helping to develop numerous players and coaches. During its history, a half-dozen former Buffalo Sabres served as head coach or assistant coach. Mickey served as head coach of the Jr. Sabres from 1975 through the 1977 season.
His legacy in hockey continues through his son, Cory Mickey, who operates 3D Hockey Player Development, a training organization dedicated to advancing youth and elite-level players. His grandson, Shane Mickey, is an emerging young hockey player, carrying forward the family’s passion for the game.
Death Mickey committed suicide in Buffalo on July 23, 1982."After Hockey, Life was too Difficult", New York Times, September 8, 1982.
Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1961–62 Moose Jaw Canucks SJHL — — — — — — — — — — 1961–62 Moose Jaw Canucks M-Cup — — — — — 4 2 1 3 10 1962–63 Moose Jaw Canucks SJHL 54 32 38 70 85 6 1 5 6 23 1962–63 Calgary Stampeders WHL 2 0 1 1 0 — — — — — 1963–64 Moose Jaw Canucks SJHL 62 69 73 142 139 5 7 2 9 6 1963–64 St. Louis Braves CPHL 1 0 0 0 0 5 1 2 3 2 1963–64 Estevan Bruins M-Cup — — — — — 5 1 1 2 8 1963–64 Edmonton Oil Kings M-Cup — — — — — 4 0 0 0 2 1964–65 Chicago Black Hawks NHL 1 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 1964–65 St. Louis Braves CPHL 52 16 21 37 85 — — — — — 1964–65 Buffalo Bisons AHL 1 0 1 1 2 — — — — — 1965–66 New York Rangers NHL 7 0 0 0 2 — — — — — 1965–66 Minnesota Rangers CPHL 38 14 25 39 50 7 5 5 10 2 1966–67 New York Rangers NHL 8 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 1966–67 Omaha Knights CPHL 63 33 41 74 86 9 5 10 15 4 1967–68 New York Rangers NHL 4 0 2 2 0 — — — — — 1967–68 Buffalo Bisons AHL 30 9 17 26 48 — — — — — 1968–69 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 55 8 19 27 43 3 0 0 0 5 1969–70 Montreal Canadiens NHL 21 4 4 8 4 — — — — — 1969–70 Montreal Voyageurs AHL 50 24 38 62 90 — — — — — 1970–71 Los Angeles Kings NHL 65 6 12 18 46 — — — — — 1971–72 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 14 1 2 3 8 — — — — — 1971–72 Buffalo Sabres NHL 4 0 1 1 0 — — — — — 1971–72 Salt Lake Golden Eagles WHL 53 19 30 49 92 — — — — — 1972–73 Buffalo Sabres NHL 77 15 9 24 47 6 1 0 1 5 1973–74 Buffalo Sabres NHL 13 3 4 7 8 — — — — — 1973–74 Cincinnati Swords AHL 9 2 3 5 5 — — — — — 1974–75 Buffalo Sabres NHL 23 2 0 2 2 — — — — — 1978–79 Utica Mohawks NEHL 12 5 4 9 21 — — — — — 1979–80 Utica Mohawks EHL 4 0 4 4 14 — — — — — 1980–81 Hampton Aces EHL 38 5 14 19 50 — — — — — NHL totals 292 39 53 92 160 9 1 0 1 10
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