Don Wheldon

Donald Edward Whelden (December 28, 1954 – June 3, 1985) was an American professional ice hockey defenseman who played two games for the St. Louis Blues in the 1974–75 season. He was born in Falmouth, Massachusetts.

Don Wheldon
Born	(1954-12-28)December 28, 1954 Falmouth, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died	June 3, 1985(1985-06-03) (aged 30) Falmouth, Massachusetts, U.S.
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight	185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position	Defense
Shot	Right
Played for	St. Louis Blues
NHL draft	87th overall, 1974 St. Louis Blues
WHA draft	178th overall, 1974 Indianapolis Racers
Playing career	1974–1977

Wheldon became the youngest US Player to appear in an NHL Game post 1967 Expansion at 19 years and 10 months. He supplanted Joe Noris. Bobby Carpenter supplanted Wheldon in 1981.

Whelden was killed on June 3, 1985, when a bolt of lightning hit a tree outside the home and broke a window above the head of his bed. His wife Linda was at his side and survived the tragic incident.^[1]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1971–72	Riverview Reds	NBJHL		24	6	11	17	59		—	—	—	—	—
1971–72	Moncton Beavers	NBJHL		15	3	12	15	10		—	—	—	—	—
1972–73	London Knights	OHA		65	2	7	9	70		—	—	—	—	—
1973–74	London Knights	OHA		70	5	27	32	88		—	—	—	—	—
1974–75	St. Louis Blues	NHL		2	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
1974–75	Denver Spurs	CHL		8	0	1	1	8		—	—	—	—	—
1974–75	Columbus Owls	IHL		43	6	12	18	28		5	2	1	3	2
1975–76	Winston-Salem Polar Twins	SHL		70	11	28	39	52		4	1	0	1	4
1976–77	Winston-Salem Polar Twins	SHL		37	9	13	22	14		—	—	—	—	—
SHL totals				107	20	41	61	66		4	1	0	1	4
NHL totals				2	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—