Right-winger Derek Laxdal was a part-time player for six NHL seasons. He was an explosive scorer in junior who found his greatest success as a pro in the minors and the British League.
Born in St. Boniface, Manitoba, Laxdal played junior with the Portland Winter Hawks and Brandon Wheat Kings. He was taken 151st overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1984 and suited up for Canada at the 1986 World Junior Championships. After playing most of two seasons in the AHL, Laxdal made the 1988-89 Leafs out of training camp. The club struggled and the young forward was sent back to the minors after 41 games.
In December 1989, Laxdal was traded to the New York Islanders. He played a few games over two seasons for his new club but saw most of his game action with the AHL's Capital District Islanders. After spending the 1992-93 season with the Canadian National Team, Laxdal took a year away from hockey. He returned to score 32 goals for the ECHL's Roanoke Express in 1994-95 then spent four years in Britain with the Sheffield Steelers. Laxdal returned to North America in 1999 as a member of the WPHL's Odessa Jackalopes.
