Darren Pang - Playing Career

Playing Career

Pang grew up playing hockey in Nepean, Ontario for the Nepean Raiders. As a youth, he played alongside many future NHLers, including Doug Smith, Dan Quinn and Steve Yzerman.

Pang played in many prestigious minor hockey tournaments as a youth goalie. He played for the West Ottawa Golden Knights alongside former NHLer Dan Quinn, in the Quebec Pee Wee Tournament, and for the Nepean Raiders Major Midget team that represented Ottawa in the Air Canada Cup as a 15 year old.

He was the 1st goalie ever drafted by the expansion Belleville Bulls, winning their 1st ever game in the OHL. He was traded to the Ottawa 67's, where he won the Memorial Cup in 1984, while garnering the Top goalie and All-Star team awards.

Standing 5'5", Pang was the 2nd shortest goalie behind only Roy "Shrimp" Worters to play in the NHL, and was often humorously considered to have a "sixth hole" above his head. He was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 1988, and was a finalist for the Calder Trophy as the NHL's Rookie of the year, won by Hall of Famer Joe Nieuwendyk. His first win was recorded on October 18, 1987 against the Winnipeg Jets.

Pang was signed as a free agent by the Chicago Blackhawks on August 15, 1984. He also set a Blackhawks goaltender's record with six assists in the 1987–1988 NHL season, and had 9 points in his brief NHL career. Pang suffered a career-ending knee injury on September 21, 1990, during training camp. During his playing career, he was known to vomit before each game, as Glenn Hall had.