Wayne Maki

Wayne Maki (born on November 20, 1944) was a professional ice hockey player and an early star of the Vancouver Canucks in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Playing Career
Wayne broke into professional hockey in 1964 with the St. Louis Braves of the Central Hockey League (CPHL), and joined the Chicago Black Hawks at left wing for the 1967–68 season, playing the year with his older brother Chico Maki.

He was claimed by the St. Louis Blues in 1969.

In a preseason game on September 21, 1969, Wayne and Boston Bruins defenceman "Terrible" Ted Green engaged in a bloody, violent stick-swinging fight; Green was hit in the head and suffered a fractured skull and a brain injury.

Wayne and Green were both charged with assault as a result of the incident, the first time NHL players faced charges as a result of on-ice violence, but they were both acquitted of the charges. He was suspended by the NHL for 30 days.

Wayne was eventually sent down to the Buffalo Bisons of the American Hockey League (AHL). Later commentators have rated his attack as one of the most vicious attacks in league history.

The Vancouver Canucks claimed Wayne in the 1970 NHL Expansion Draft where he became one of the franchise's first stars, being among the team's leading scorers both of his full seasons with the team.

He played two and a half seasons with Vancouver until he was diagnosed with brain cancer in December of 1972. On May 12, 1974, he passed away at the age of 29.

The Canucks unofficially retired Wayne's #11 jersey until Mark Messier (who had worn #11 with the Edmonton Oilers and New York Rangers) joined the team & insisted on using it over the protest of Wayne's family.

Wayne's NHL career statistics are: 246 games played, 57 goals, 79 assists, 136 points, and 184 penalty minutes in regular season play & 2 games played, 1 goal, 0 assists, 1 point & 2 penalty minutes in the playoffs.