Steve Durbano’s 10 Points in 5 Games as a Rookie D-Man? Not Orr, But Still Impressive

When someone mentions a defenseman putting up 10 points in five NHL games during the 1972-73 season, your first thought might be Bobby Orr. Fair enough. Orr was in peak form that year. But the blueliner who did it in this stretch was rookie Steve Durbano of the St. Louis Blues.

In February 1973, Durbano scored a goal and assisted on nine others over a five-game tear. What's more surprising? He only took two minor penalties during that span, despite a career built on physicality and time in the box.

February 3, 1973: A Career Night

Durbano’s standout game came in a dominant 6-1 win over the California Golden Seals. He registered four assists, setting up two goals by Floyd Thomson, one from Phil Roberto, and the game-winner by Fran Huck. Durbano led all skaters with six shots on Gilles Meloche, as the Blues peppered the Seals with 51 total shots, compared to just 15 faced by Bob Johnson in the St. Louis net.

Durbano finished the night a +3 and didn’t take a single penalty, a rare stat line for the rugged blueliner.

From First-Round Pick to Journeyman 

Originally a first-round selection by the New York Rangers in 1971, Durbano never played a game for them. After some seasoning in the minors with the Omaha Knights, he broke into the NHL with the Blues in the 1972-73 season.

Over the course of his NHL career (1972-73 to 1978-79), Durbano played 220 regular season games and five playoff contests, suiting up for the Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins, Kansas City Scouts, and Colorado Rockies. True to his reputation, he compiled a staggering 1,127 penalty minutes in those 220 games, averaging over 5 minutes per game.

Steve Durbano Trivia Quiz

For much more NHL hockey trivia, visit our Hockey Trivia Site!

1. How many points did Steve Durbano score in his 5-game streak in 1973?

5
7
10
12

2. Which team did Durbano record 4 assists against on February 3, 1973?

New York Rangers
California Golden Seals
Boston Bruins
Pittsburgh Penguins

3. What unusual stat did Durbano achieve in that February 3 game?

He had a fight and a goal
He had no penalties
He scored a hat trick
He was ejected

4. How many total NHL regular season games did Durbano play?

150
198
220
275

5. Which team originally drafted Steve Durbano?

New York Rangers
St. Louis Blues
Kansas City Scouts
Colorado Rockies

Steve Durbano: PIM Champ In 4 Different Leagues

The hockey ‘goon’ is considered by some as an untalented stain on the game. Yet, the physical conditioning and subsequent punishment these players go through is unbelievable. Everyone loves a hockey fight, as is evident by the standing ovation received each and every time, yet the actual fighters are not truly appreciated.

Steve Durbano was a hockey ‘goon’. He played 220 games in the National Hockey League, sitting 1,127 minutes in the penalty box during that time for an average of 5.1 minutes per game. Perhaps, just as well known for his antics off the ice as on, Durbano should at least be recognized for the fact that he led four different leagues in the penalty minute department.

Steve played three years of junior hockey with the Toronto Marlboros of the Ontario Hockey Association. He provided decent offense from the blue line with 32 points in 53 games in his second year and 39 points in 49 games in his second. In those final two seasons with the Marlboros, Durbano led the league in penalty minutes with 371 in 1969-70 and 324 in 1970-71.

The New York Rangers saw something they liked and drafted Durbano in the first round of the 1971 NHL Amateur Draft, 13th overall. In fact, Steve was taken seven positions ahead of Hockey Hall of Fame defenseman, Larry Robinson.

His first year of professional hockey was spent with the Omaha Knights of the Central Hockey League. Playing in 70 of the team’s 72 regular season games in 1971-72, Durbano sat out 402 minutes in penalties. He also finished with 41 points, sixth on the team.

Steve made his NHL debut the following season with the St. Louis Blues. However, it was in 1975-76 when he became a made the headlines. In a season split between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Kansas City Scouts (today’s New Jersey Devils), Durbano totaled 370 PIM to lead the league.

With 1977-78, came a new league for Durbano to lead in the penalty minutes category. Skipping to the World Hockey Association after playing just 19 games in the NHL the season before, Steve led the league with 284 PIM in just 45 games. He was the leader of the WHA’s version of the Broad Street Bullies, the Birmingham Bulls. Birmingham had the top four penalty box sitters in the WHA on the roster.

Durbano played one more season of pro hockey in 1978-79, returning to the St. Louis Blues for 13 games and playing an additional 10 games with the Salt Lake Golden Eagles of the Central Hockey League. Steve passed away in 2002 after a bout with liver cancer. Sure, he’ll be remembered as a goon but the fact is: he made it. He played at a level of hockey so very few can even come close to. He didn’t just fight and sit in the penalty box. He played defense and even scored a few goals.

Season	Team	Lge	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1968-69	Toronto Marlboros	OHA	45	5	6	11	158
1969-70	Toronto Marlboros	OHA	53	7	25	32	371
1970-71	Toronto Marlboros	OHA	49	7	32	39	324
1971-72	Omaha Knights	CHL	70	7	34	41	402
1972-73	St. Louis Blues	NHL	49	3	18	21	231
1973-74	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL	33	4	14	18	138
1973-74	St. Louis Blues	NHL	36	4	5	9	146
1974-75	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL	1	0	1	1	10
1975-76	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL	32	0	8	8	161
1975-76	Kansas City Scouts	NHL	37	1	11	12	209
1976-77	Colorado Rockies	NHL	19	0	2	2	129
1976-77	Rhode Island Reds	AHL	9	1	2	3	55
1977-78	Birmingham Bulls	WHA	45	6	4	10	284
1978-79	Salt Lake Golden Eagles	CHL	10	1	4	5	41
1978-79	St. Louis Blues	NHL	13	1	1	2	103
	NHL Totals		220	13	60	73	1127
	WHA Totals		45	6	4	10	284