Barry Buchanan, Rangers #19 pick in 1968, Clinton Comets defenseman

From the Rangers Ramblings blog, a look back at #19 draft selections by the Blueshirts, including Barry Buchanan (listed as "Bruce") who played defense for the 1968-69 Clinton Comets.

http://www.rangerramblings.com/2009/06/23/rangers-2009-1st-round-draft-preview/

Before we look ahead at potential Rangers’ targets in the first round, let’s take a look at the team’s history with the 19th overall selection.

The Rangers have made the 19th overall selection three times in their history.

In 1968, the Blueshirts drafted defenseman Bruce Buchanan with the 19th overall pick – which was the final selection of the second round that year. Buchanan never played a game in the NHL and his post-Junior career highlight was being a part of the 1968-69 Clinton Comets who won the EHL’s regular season title. The 5-9/160 blueliner was the Rangers lone pick among 24 selections.

Back in 1968, the only players eligible for the Draft were those 17 and older who were not being sponsored by an NHL team. The next year, the NHL changed the eligibility requirements and opened the Draft up to any amateur player under the age of 20.

Other Barry Buchanan listings on the web:
http://hockeydraftcentral.com/1968/68019.html
http://hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=10822

Hockeydb lists Barry as having played 34 games with New Haven in the 1967-68 season, but newspaper accounts show him playing for Weyburn in the WHL throughout that season. So far, I haven't found newspaper accounts of a Buchanan playing for the Blades in 1967-68.

Newspaper accounts also show a defenseman Bob Buchanan who started the 67-68 season with the Jersey Devils and was picked up on waivers by the Syracuse Blazers on December 12, 1967. He is not listed in hockeydb.com for that season.

Barry was invited back to the Comets for the 1969-70 season, but signed with the Iowa Stars, who were the top farm club of the Minnesota North Stars.