This Day in Hockey History – August 20, 1982 – Leave it to Lever

Aug 20, 2019

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This wouldn’t be Don Lever’s first time around the block. He had already been with a franchise that relocated before moving with the Colorado Rockies to become the New Jersey Devils. He also had already served as captain for the Vancouver Canucks before the Devils named him their first ever captain on August 20, 1982.

Lever was selected 3rd overall in the 1972 Amateur Draft and played for the Vancouver Canucks throughout the 1970s. He captained the team from 1977 until February 1980, when he was traded to the Atlanta Flames. That June, the Flames relocated to Calgary, where Lever played just a couple months beyond one season. On November 25, 1981, the Flames sent him to the Colorado Rockies.

The Rockies franchise was struggling with too few spectators and too many changes in ownership. Lever commented, “Colorado was so depressing last year. There was no interest in the game when I got there. The ownership was not stable. At the all-star break (Lever represented the Rockies in the game), we didn’t know if there’d be a team when we got back.” GM Billy MacMillan said of Lever’s efforts in Colorado, “He did not waver. He gave it all from beginning to end.” Fortunately for Lever and his teammates, the team’s new owner was allowed to move them to New Jersey on June 30, 1982.

Nearly two months later, the Devils held a news conference at their new Meadowlands Arena. “It’ll be nice to play in front of people for a change,” said Lever. “This is a new beginning. This is the most beautiful rink in the league this year. My job is to perform on the ice to my capabilities.” There, the Devils named the 29-year-old left wing as captain. MacMillan explained, “I think Don Lever can fulfill the role of captain better than anyone. I saw him during the crisis in Colorado. He gave his all from beginning to end. The move from Colorado to New Jersey provided stability. The nomination of Don Lever as captain gives the cornerstone more depth.” Vice President Max McNab remarked on Lever’s number being telling of his leadership qualities. “Number 9 is usually worn by players with character. These are the players who play the same, at home or on the road.” Lever’s thoughts going forward were simple. “I pretty much lead by example. But one man can’t lead a team alone. You need all the guys to stick together.”

Fittingly, Lever went on to score the Devils’ first goal, at 2:21 of the first period of their first game, held October 5, 1982. He finished that inaugural season ranked second for the team in scoring. After three seasons in New Jersey, Lever was traded to the Buffalo Sabres in September 1985, and he finished out his playing career there in two seasons.

Lever turned his experience from captaining teams into a coaching career. He started as an assistant coach for the Sabres for the following two seasons after ceasing playing there. From there, he moved on to their AHL team, the Rochester Americans, where he was voted AHL Coach-of-the-Year by leading his team to the Calder Cup finals in 1990-91. He returned to the Sabres as assistant coach until moving on to the St. Louis Blues in 2002. From 2005 to 2009, Lever coached the AHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs, winning the championship in 2007. For a few months of 2009, he served as assistant coach for the Montreal Canadiens before taking the head coaching position with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves.