Brian Lunney, goaltender for the Knoxville Knights and New Haven Blades in the 1963-64 season died Tuesday at his home in Green Bay. He was 67.Lunney was in goal on December 23, 1963 when the Knoxville Knights gained a 4-4 tie with the Soviet National All-Star Team which had blown out EHL teams in four previous games.
Lunney played in 47 games primarily with Knoxville in 1963-64, with 2 shoutouts, 199 Goals Against and a 4.23 Goals Against Average. In mid-February 1964 Lunney went to New Haven to replace netminder Jim Armstrong who was out with a wrenched knee.
A native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, he tried out for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League in 1963. He was offered the job of backup goalie, but turned it down, preferring to play regularly in the Eastern League.
Brian Lunney's stats at Hockeydb: http://hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=13997
Green Bay Press Gazette Article: http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20100715/GPG0209/100715027/1225/GPG02/Brian-Lunney--former-USHL-goalie--dies-at-67
Obit at Tributes.com: http://www.tributes.com/show/Brian-LUNNEY-88944589
Photo: Brian Lunney makes a save for the Marquette Iron Rangers.
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Brian was one of the best goalies I've ever seen. He was able to steal games on a regular basis and was so fun to watch with his acrobatic style. He was invited to camp with the Sabres, Red Wings, and Black Hawks but enjoyed his life in Marquette and decided not to pursue them. He later always said he probably should have given it a try but had no regrets as he lived a life surrounded by friends and family who loved him.
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