Louis Robert "Bob" Blake attended Hibbing high school where he played on the hockey team and in fact was a three-sport star at the school. In 1933-34 he was on the roster of the Hibbing Miners of the CHL despite being just 17. He was already known for his all-round excellent hockey skills and he had no trouble competing physically with the older men.
In the fall of 1934 Blake signed a deal with Boston scout Perk Galbraith and he played the season with the Cubs of the Can-Am league, leading them to the championship. While playing for the Cubs the following year he was called up to the Boston Bruins for 12 games, but was kept off the scoresheet. Like so many other young players in his era, getting a second shot at the NHL often never happened, as was the case with Blake. He returned to the Cubs and helped them win their second successive Can-Am championship.
The Cleveland Barons bought the contract rights to the speedy left winger in 1938 and he helped the club to victory in the IAHL playoffs in the spring of 1939.
He continued to play pro hockey for another seven seasons and was with the Buffalo Bisons for the longest tenure of his pro career, starting in 1941 and was named captain in 1942, helping the team to a league championship. He also found himself playing defense on many occasions, to fill in for injuries. It became evident he was a natural on the blueline and spent much of his latter years solely playing the position. Blake was forced to miss two years in 1944 and 1945 during World War Two, serving in the Pacific with the U.S. Army Air Corps. He returned to the Bisons for the 1945-46 season and continued to star for them for two years before moving on to Houston. Blake's excellent play was a key factor in Houston winning the USHL's Loudan Trophy and many media scribes felt he was the best players in the league. He retired in 1950-51.
