Although born in Hamilton, Blake Dunlop grew up in Ottawa where he played four standout seasons for the Ottawa 67's of the OHA. During his final two campaigns, he also attended Carleton University, taking courses in psychology and sociology. But having led the OHA in scoring during his final year of junior, Dunlop became a hot commodity in pro hockey circles.
He was drafted by the Minnesota North Stars in 1973. But during his four seasons within the club's organization, he was never able to recapture the scoring touch that had blessed his junior career. During that time, he bounced regularly between the Stars and the New Haven Nighthawks of the AHL.
In 1977, Dunlop was traded to the Flyers' organization where he continued as a minor-leaguer, for the most part, until his second year in the chain. After starting the season with the Maine Mariners of the AHL, he finally got a boost back to the top with the Flyers where he found some of the old scoring touch that he'd once known so well.
At the close of the season, however, he was traded to the St. Louis Blues where he settled into the most stable and productive phase of his career. In 1981, he scored a personal-best 87 points in 80 games and capped the campaign with a Bill Masterton Trophy for perseverance, dedication and sportsmanship.
He remained with the Blues until his release early in the 1983-84 campaign. He then signed as a free agent with the Detroit Red Wings where he retired at the end of the season.
