Dunc Wilson Duncan Shepherd Wilson ( born March 22 , 1948 , in Toronto , Ontario ) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who spent 10 seasons in the National Hockey League between 1969 and 1979 . Playing career . Wilson was originally signed by the Boston Bruins and rose through their junior system , but was drafted away by the Philadelphia Flyers in 1968 just before turning professional . He would spend two seasons with the Quebec Aces , Philadelphia ' s AHL affiliate , appearing in a single NHL game for the Flyers in the 1969 – 70 season . Exposed in the 1970 NHL Expansion Draft , Wilson was claimed by the Vancouver Canucks . In Vancouver , he received a chance to stick in the NHL full time as one of three goaltenders carried by the team in their inaugural campaign . His first professional season would be rocky , as he posted a dismal 3 – 25 – 2 record in 35 appearances . However , he was recognized as having significant potential , and at age 22 was viewed as the club ' s long - term starter ( Charlie Hodge , the team ' s main goaltending option that year , was 37 ) . When Hodge retired following a contract dispute , Wilson became Vancouver ' s starting goalie for 1971 – 72 , and responded in fine fashion . He appeared in 53 games for the Canucks , posting a 16 – 30 – 3 record ( his backups went 4 – 20 – 5 ) and a solid 3 . 61 GAA . In 1972 – 73 , he had another solid year , finishing 13 – 21 – 5 with a 3 . 94 GAA . In 1973 , Vancouver acquired highly - rated veteran Gary ' Suitcase ' Smith to take over as the team ' s starting goalie and Wilson , now expendable , was dealt to the Toronto Maple Leafs . He spent nearly two seasons in Toronto backing up Doug Favell before being waived and claimed by the New York Rangers late in the 1974 – 75 season . He backed up John Davidson for the Rangers in 1975 – 76 , but suffered through a disappointing year , winning just 5 games and being demoted briefly to the minors for the first time since 1970 . Dealt to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a draft pick , Wilson would experience a rebirth in 1976 – 77 . He emerged as Pittsburgh ' s starting netminder , appearing in 45 games and posting an 18 – 19 – 8 record and a sparkling 2 . 95 GAA along with 5 shutouts . In the process , he was named team MVP by both the franchise and their booster club . However , in 1977 – 78 his form would desert him , as he lost his starting job to Denis Herron , and posted a 5 – 11 – 3 record with a dismal 4 . 83 GAA . Wilson started the 1978 – 79 season in the AHL after being beaten out for the backup job by rookie Greg Millen , but received a homecoming of sorts when he was sold to the Canucks a month into the season . However , his form would be no better in Vancouver as he won just twice in 17 appearances , and he retired at the end of the season . Following his retirement he sued the Canucks , alleging that they didn ' t properly treat a mole which turned out to be skin cancer , and which later required extensive surgery to remove , helping to prematurely end his career . In 287 career NHL games , Wilson posted an 80 – 150 – 33 record along with 8 shutouts and a 3 . 74 GAA . Although his career record is one of the poorest amongst goalies who have appeared in over 200 games , this is less a reflection of his actual ability than it is of his playing a significant role in the first three seasons of a very poor expansion team .