McIvor, Danny

DANNY MCIVOR WAS BORN ON 23 April 1949 in Canada and first played ice hockey in Australia for the Warringah Bombers club in the Sydney league in the mid-70s. The goaltender represented New South Wales in the Goodall Cup before making his way to Melbourne in 1977 on the way to New Zealand. Upon arriving, he stopped by the Olympic Ice Skating Centre at Oakleigh and offered his skills, which were quickly accepted by Demons Coach Ian Holmes.

McIvor played 47 games for the Demons in the Victorian League over three seasons, spanning from 1977 to 1979. His goaltending peers were mostly international players: Anders Wiking, Barry Harkin, and Ray Gerwing. While Wiking and Gerwing each played over 200 games in the Victorian League, McIvor distinguished himself as the first post-war netminder in the state to maintain an average save rate of over 90 percent throughout his career. He was a showman capable of working up the packed stands at Oakleigh every Sunday afternoon. Many fans came specifically to watch the Demons’ minder, and he is regarded by some as one of the best players to have ever competed in Australia.

In 1977, the year the Demons secured their second Kleiner Trophy and the state premiership, the club also signed several other notable import players: Fred Denischuk, Ken Guyzk, Mike Pierce, Ian Cameron, and former NHL player Mike Boland, who is considered their most credentialed player of all time. McIvor allowed only 30 goals from 384 shots and 10 goals from 169 shots during four playoff games, achieving an impressive average save percentage of 0.927 for the season. He was named Victoria’s Best Goal Keeper that year and the following year.

The Canadian goalie won the 1978 Goodall Cup while representing Victoria alongside Barry Harkin. It remains unclear if he also won the 1979 Goodall Cup with Victoria, but he did play for the Oakleigh Aces in the Burley Cup that season, which was a Victorian precursor to the NIHL that followed the next season. In both 1977 and 78, McIvor was awarded Best Goalkeeper of the state A-grade.

Danny McIvor died in Melbourne on 22 June 2022, survived by Robin, Beth and Dimy. Although his Australian hockey career was limited to a few seasons, he made a significant and memorable contribution at state and national level.