Les Binkley

Leslie John Binkley (born June 6, 1934) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Penguins and in the World Hockey Association for the Ottawa Nationals and Toronto Toros between 1967 and 1976. He spent his early career in the minor leagues and did not reach the NHL until his thirties. During the 1960–61 season he served as trainer and emergency goaltender for the Cleveland Barons of the American Hockey League. He won the Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award as the AHL's top rookie in 1962, and four years later received the Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award for allowing the fewest goals in the league. Binkley was the starting goaltender for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the franchise's inaugural NHL season. During the 1970 Stanley Cup playoffs he won six games, the first postseason victories in Penguins history. After five seasons in Pittsburgh, he moved to the WHA, playing for the Ottawa Nationals and Toronto Toros. He appeared in 196 NHL regular-season games. Following his playing career, Binkley worked as a scout for both the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Winnipeg Jets.