Scott Daniels (ice hockey)


Rory "Scott" Daniels is a Mistawasis First Nation aboriginal, and a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Daniels was nicknamed "Chief" by his teammates due to his full-blooded Cree Indian background. At the age of 17, Daniels started his hockey career in the Western Hockey League playing left wing for the Kamloop Blazers in 1986, and continued to play in the WHL for the New Westminster Bruins and then the Regina Pats until 1990. Daniels was the 136th draft pick overall, for the Hartford Whalers, in 1989, but did not play his first National Hockey League game until 1993. Daniels stood out to his coaches in his debut game by accumulating nineteen minutes in penalties however, he continued to play in the American Hockey League for the Springfield Indians until his second NHL game, in the 1994-95 season, again for the Hartford Whalers. In 1996 Daniels was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers, and later to the New Jersey Devils in 1997 where he played for two years before retiring from the NHL. Daniels currently resides in Agawam, Massachusetts, with his family.

Playing career

NHL career

Daniels was selected with the 136th pick in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft by the Hartford Whalers. After spending three years in the AHL, Daniels made his NHL debut for the Hartford Whalers on October 8, 1992 against the Boston Bruins. Known as a power forward who could put the puck in the net and protect his teammates, Daniels made an immediate impression by accumulating nineteen minutes in penalties during his debut. Daniels played in 66 NHL games for the Hartford Whalers over the span of four years before signing with the Philadelphia Flyers for the 1996-1997 season. In Philadelphia, Daniels played 56 NHL games as a third of the "Dan Line" - consisting of Dan Kordic, Daniel Lacroix and Scott Daniels - in an effort to protect star forwards John LeClair and Eric Lindros. Daniels played in 149 NHL games, totaling 8 goals, 12 assists, and 667 penalty minutes before retiring in 1999.

Personal life

Daniels currently resides in Agawam, Massachusetts, with his family.
Daniels daughter, Sydney Daniels, was drafted fifth overall in the 2016 National Women's Hockey League draft.