Bisons select D Doug Barkley
He (Barkley)emerged as a prominent player during the 1963-64 season, when Barkley's 11 goals led all NHL defensemen and were the most tallied by a Red Wings blueliner since Marcel Pronovost also counted 11 times in 1958-59. Barkley's 115 penalty minutes that season were also a team high.
Barkley garnered 25 points as Detroit finished first overall in 1964-65 and was going strong again during the 1965-66 season, with 20 points in 43 games, when tragedy struck.
During the second period of a January 30, 1966 game at the Olympia against the Blackhawks, Barkley was clipped in the right eye by the stick of Chicago's Doug Mohns.
The worst fears were realized. Barkley underwent several more operations in attempts to repair a detached retina, but on June 7, 1966, it was announced he'd lost the sight in his right eye. Barkley was done as a player.
"Losing Doug Barkley was a real blow to the team," Gordie Howe said. "He was developing into an all-star defenseman."