AHL Rochester Americans

Rochester to induct Don McSween into Amerks Hall of Fame

Published on January 17, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Rochester Americans News Release


(Rochester, NY)... The Rochester Americans announced today that Don McSween will become the 40th member of the Amerks Hall of Fame and the ninth blueliner to enter the prestigious club.

The Michigan native will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at an Amerks' home game in February. McSween will join fellow defensemen Al Arbour, Darryl Sly, Don Cherry, Duane Rupp, Steve Kraftcheck, Jim Hofford, John Van Boxmeer and Dave Fenyves.

Drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the eighth round (154th overall) of the 1983 National Hockey League Entry Draft, McSween broke into professional hockey in 1987-88 with the Amerks. The Michigan State product played in 63 games that season, which would begin a career that spanned 14 seasons and 693 professional games.

The defenseman spent the majority of his career with the Rochester Americans, 348 games to be exact. He also made stops in San Diego (International Hockey League), Baltimore (AHL), Grand Rapids (IHL), Milwaukee (IHL) and Muskegon (United Hockey League). In addition, he played in 47 NHL games with the Buffalo Sabres (nine) and the Anaheim Mighty Ducks (38).

McSween played five seasons in Rochester and collected the most points ever by a defenseman with 215 (45+170). Known for his class and professionalism, he was the anchor of the Rochester defense from 1987-1992 and his name still appears on the Amerks' all-time lists for games played (348) and assists (170). He ranks 17th in games played and 18th in assists. In his postseason career with Rochester, he is tied for sixth in games played (54), 10th in assists (22) and is tied for 12th in points (32). During the 1989-90 season, he was named an AHL First Team All-Star as he recorded a career-high 16 goals and 59 points in 70 games.

McSween also won numerous awards while wearing the red, white and blue. In 1990-91, he was named the Amerks Team MVP and in 1989-90 he was the co-winner of the Amerks McCulloch Trophy for community service. He also won an unprecedented five straight team Defensive Player of the Year awards (1987-92). In addition, during the 1990-91 and 1991-92 seasons he split time as the team's alternate captain and team captain.

Although never winning a Calder Cup in Rochester, McSween played for three regular season champions and two championship teams during his playing career. In 1990-91, he was with Rochester when the Amerks (45-26-9) finished with an AHL best 99 points. In 1992-93, McSween played on the IHL regular season champions in San Diego and in 1998-99 he was a member of the UHL regular season champions in Muskegon. His two titles along the way were winning the 1986 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey national championship at Michigan State and capturing the UHL's Colonial Cup in 1999 with Muskegon.

His other individual accolades include leading the IHL in plus/minus with an incredible plus-61 in 1992-93 with the San Diego Gulls. In addition, he was a two-time NCAA Tournament All-Star First Team recipient (1986, 1987) with the Michigan State Spartans.

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American Hockey League Stories from January 17, 2005


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