Larry Mavety

Larry Mavety (May 29, 1942 – December 2020) was a professional ice hockey player, and former coach and executive in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), with both the Belleville Bulls and the Kingston Frontenacs.

Playing career

Toledo Blades (1963-1964)

Mavety starting his minor league hockey career in 1963–64 season as a defenceman with the Toledo Blades of the International Hockey League (IHL), recording 20 points (7G-13A), along with 133 PIM in 70 games, and helped the Blades have the best record in the league. He added two points (1G-1A) in 13 playoff games as the Blades won the Turner Cup.

Port Huron Flags (1964-1967)

After starting the 1964–65 with the Syracuse Stars, an independent team, Mavety returned to the IHL with the Port Huron Flags, earning 18 points (4G-14A) in 23 games, and he added an assist in seven playoff games. Mavety returned in 1965–66, and recorded 62 points (19G-43A) in 69 games with the Flags, and added 12 points (3G-9A) in nine playoff games as the Flags won the Turner Cup. Following the season, Mavety was named to the IHL Second All-Star Team. In 1966–67, Mavety again improved his numbers with 73 points (25G-48A) in 71 games with Port Huron, as he won the Governor's Trophy as the best defenceman in the IHL and was named to the IHL First All-Star Team. Despite his great season, the Flags did not qualify for the playoffs.

Vancouver Canucks (1967-1968)

In 1967–68, Mavety joined the Vancouver Canucks of the Western Hockey League (WHL), and he recorded 25 points (2G-23A), along with 148 PIM in 72 games, as the Canucks failed to make the playoffs.

Denver Spurs (1968-1971)

Mavety moved on with the Denver Spurs, of the WHL, and in his first season with the team, Mavety had 33 points (5G-28A) in 74 games as the team did not make the playoffs. In 1969–70, Mavety recorded 57 points (10G-47A) in 72 games, and again the Spurs failed to make the playoffs. Mavety was named to the WHL Second All-Star Team after the season. Mavety returned to Denver for the 1970–71 season, and finished second in team scoring with 63 points (18G-45A) in 71 games as the Spurs qualified for the playoffs. He added four points in five playoff games. Mavety was named to the WHL Second All-Star Team for the second consecutive season in 1971.

Salt Lake Golden Eagles (1971-1972)

In 1971–72, Mavety joined the Salt Lake Golden Eagles, and recorded 53 points (15G-38A) in 62 games. The Eagles failed to qualify for the post-season.

Los Angeles Sharks (1972-1973)

With the World Hockey Association (WHA) beginning play in 1972–73, Mavety began the season with the Los Angeles Sharks, however he played only two games with the club, scoring a goal.

Philadelphia Blazers (1972-1973)

Mavety moved on to the Philadelphia Blazers, where he went pointless in four games during the 1972-73 season.

Chicago Cougars (1972-1975)

Mavety found a home with the Chicago Cougars in 1972-73, where he had 49 points (9G-40A) in 67 games. He returned to the Cougars for the 1973–74 season, registering 51 points (15G-36A) in 77 games and helped the club make the post-season. The Cougars then upset the defending champion New England Whalers in the division semi-finals, then beat heavily favoured Toronto Toros in the division finals before losing to the Houston Aeros in the Avco Cup Finals. Mavety had 12 points (4G-8A) in 18 playoff games.

In 1974–75, Mavety earned 32 points (10G-22A) in 57 games with the Cougars. He also spent a few games with the Long Island Cougars of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), playing in four games and scoring two goals before being traded to the Toronto Toros.

Toronto Toros (1974-1975)

He played in 17 games with the Toros, recording nine points (0G-9A), helping them to the playoffs. In six playoff games, Mavety registered three assists as the Toros lost in the first round.

Denver Spurs (1975-1976)

Mavety split the 1975–76 season between the Erie Blades of the NAHL, getting 24 points (7G-17A) in 24 games, the Broome Dusters, also of the NAHL, recording 36 points (14G-22A) in 31 games, and the Denver Spurs of the WHA, getting four points (0G-4A) in 14 games.

Indianapolis Racers (1976-1977)

He then spent the majority of the 1976–77 season with the Dusters again, getting 67 points (16G-51A) in 59 games, and he also spent 10 games with the Indianapolis Racers of the WHA, getting four points (2G-2A). With the Dusters in the playoffs, Mavety had 10 points (1G-9A) in 10 games. Mavety then retired from professional hockey after the season.