Left-winger Lonnie Loach played parts of two NHL seasons with three teams in the early 90s. He was a fine goal scorer who battled tenaciously in the corners and in front of the net. Most of his pro career took place in the minors, especially the IHL.
Born in New Liskeard, Ontario played three years with the OHL's Guelph Platers and was a part of a Memorial Cup championship in 1986. He was chosen 98th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in 1986 and spent his first three pro seasons in the IHL. In 1991 he was a major factor behind the Fort Wayne Komets' drive to the Turner Cup finals. He also topped the "I" with 131 points and was placed on the league's second all-star team.
In June, 1991, Loach was signed as a free agent by the Detroit Red Wings. He spent the 1991-92 season with the AHL's Adirondack Red Wings where he scored 37 goals and contributed to a Calder Cup championship. That summer the Ottawa Senators in the Expansion Draft claimed him.
Loach played his first three NHL games for the Senators in 1992-93 before he was picked up on waivers by the LA Kings a month into the season. He scored 10 goals in 50 games on the West Coast then played one post-season game during the club's march to its first ever appearance in the Stanley Cup final. In June, 1993, Loach was picked by Anaheim in the Expansion Draft and played a trio of NHL games in 1993-94. He spent the rest of the year with the IHL's San Diego Gulls where he scored 42 goals. Loach was a regular in the "I" through the 1997-98 season and also skated briefly for Zurich SC of Switzerland. In 1999-00 Loach joined the UHL's Missouri River Otters where he remained at the outset of the 2001-02 season.
