Dave Fenyves was the quintessential NHL journeyman. A solid stay-at-home defenceman who could take the man effectively, he dressed for 206 NHL games but never played a full season.
The native of Dunnville, Ontario, played three years with the Peterborough Petes and won a Memorial Cup in 1979. He was signed as a free agent by the Buffalo Sabres in October 1979 then went on to enjoy a solid last year of junior. Following the 1979-80 season the young rearguard was selected to the OHA second all-star team.
Fenyves played his first two pro seasons with the Rochester Americans of the AHL. He played 24 games in 1982-83 but continued to gain seasoning in the minors until playing 60 games in 1984-85. The steady blueliner played 47 games with the Sabres in 1985-86 before he was relegated to the farm the next year.
Rather than go through the motions, Fenyves approached the 1986-87 season with vigor and helped Rochester win the Calder Cup. He was named the MVP of the playoffs and voted on to the AHL second all-star team. On October 5, 1987, he was claimed on waivers by the Philadelphia Flyers and dispatched to the AHL's Hershey Bears.
Fenyves was outstanding at both ends of the ice in 1988 and 1989, recording 117 points over the two seasons and twice being named the winner of the Eddie Shore Award as the league's top defenceman. Fenyves was called up to the NHL periodically during this time and played 40 games for Philadelphia in 1990-91. He played two more years in the minors before retiring in 1993.
