Ernie Wakely

Ernest Alfred Linton Wakely, born November 27, 1940, is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender whose career spanned the National Hockey League and the World Hockey Association. He played 113 NHL games from 1962 to 1972 and 334 WHA games from 1972 to 1979.

Wakely began as goaltender for the Winnipeg Braves of the MJHL, who won the Memorial Cup in 1958–59. In the NHL he tended goal for the Montreal Canadiens and the St. Louis Blues, and also appeared for the Quebec Aces and the Cleveland Barons of the AHL. During the 1969–70 season he took over in St. Louis for Glenn Hall, appearing in 30 games, winning 12, and recording an NHL league-leading goals against average of 2.11 as he helped carry the Blues to the Stanley Cup Finals against the Boston Bruins. Although he did not start the opening game of the finals, he replaced Jacques Plante early after Plante was injured and played well through the second period; Boston won that game 6–1 and swept the Blues in four straight to claim the Cup.

In the World Hockey Association, Wakely played for the Winnipeg Jets, San Diego Mariners, Cincinnati Stingers, Houston Aeros, Houston Apollos, and Birmingham Bulls before retiring in 1979.