Derek Drak

Derek Drak (born November 10, 1906 in Dundee, Scotland, died October 17, 1995 in Kingston, Ontario) was a Scottish hockey forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League from 1928-29 to 1932-33. He was acquired in 1928 by the Leafs. After a serious leg injury in mid season 1932-33, he was forced to retire. However, he attempted a comeback with the Chicago Blackhawks in 1941-42, but couldn't find the ability he had demonstrated in his earlier years and retired for good after two seasons.

Dundee Junior Hockey

Derek Drak saw early success while playing in Scotland. His coach in the juniors, Richard Angus "Slapshot" McDonald (1880-1941) saw him as a potential star in North America. In the 1926-27 season, he shattered his junior league's record for goals in one season with 31, and also broke the record for points in a season, with 37. Interestingly, those records were previously held by his coach. He went on to break his own points record the next season.

NHL career

Drak saw limited success in North America. But in the 1931-32 season, the Montreal Canadiens gave him a real chance to become a star player. He played throughout most of the season, but unfortunately suffered a minor injury late in the season and missed the remaining games, as well as the playoffs. The next season, while back with Toronto, he started off amazingly well, scoring 7 points in 5 games. Unfortunately, at the end of game 5, as he was AbOUT to score a goal, his eighth point, an opponent tripped him and he suffered a potentially career-ending leg injury.

In 1941-42, he returned to the NHL with the Blackhawks for two seasons, but saw limited success, due to his hindered skating ability.

Ontario Senior League

The OSL was a league organized for retired professional hockey players, based in Kingston, Ontario. It existed between 1930-31 until almost mid-season 1944-45.

Derek set the record for most goals in an OSL playoff game when he scored 4 goals against the London Lumberjacks during the 1944 playoffs, in which he and his team went on to win the championship.

OSL teams

• Ottawa Eagles, 1930-45
• Belleville Pirates, 1940-45
• Toronto Senior Maple Leafs, 1930-40
• Hamilton Steel Knights, 1930-45
• Bowmanville Bullets, 1930-32
• Peterborough Red Wings, 1932-45
• London Lumberjacks, 1930-45
• Kingston Sharks, 1930-45
• Windsor-Detroit River Warriors, 1930-45
• Sudbury Soldiers, 1930-45
• Montreal Senior Canadiens, 1930-45

OSL champions

• 1930-31: Hamilton Steel Knights (Kingston Sharks)
• 1931-32: Hamilton Steel Knights (Kingston Sharks)
• 1932-33: Toronto Senior Maple Leafs (Montreal Senior Canadiens)
• 1933-34: Kingston Sharks (Ottawa Eagles)
• 1934-35: Hamilton Steel Knights (Peterborough Red Wings)
• 1935-36: Peterborough Red Wings (Hamilton Steel Knights)
• 1936-37: Peterborough Red Wings (Montreal Senior Canadiens)
• 1937-38: Peterborough Red Wings (Hamilton Steel Knights)
• 1938-39: Peterborough Red Wings (Hamilton Steel Knights
• 1939-40: Hamilton Steel Knights (Peterborough Red Wings)
• 1940-41: Windsor-Detroit River Warriors (Ottawa Eagles)
• 1941-42: Peterborough Red Wings (Ottawa Eagles)
• 1942-43: Ottawa Eagles (Hamilton Steel Knights)
• 1943-44: Kingston Sharks (Ottawa Eagles)

Career statistics

+Remainder of the season and playoffs were cancelled because OSL folded.