Len Frig was a rugged defenceman who played over 300 big league games in the 1970s. His main role in the NHL was to clear the front of his net, play the body, and use his decent shot from the point whenever possible.
Born in Lethbridge, Alberta, Frig made a solid junior debut with the Calgary Centennials of the WCJHL in 1969-70. Following that season he was chosen 42nd overall by the Chicago Black Hawks at the NHL Amateur Draft. He attended his first training camp then scored 45 points for the Centennials in 1970-71 and made the league's all-star team.
After two years of seasoning with the Dallas Black Hawks of the CHL, Frig was recalled to the NHL in time for the 1973 Stanley Cup playoffs. The young blueliner looked solid in four games as the team went all the way to the finals. That season he was also named the top defenceman in the CHL and placed on the league's first all-star team.
Frig took a regular turn on the Chicago defence in 1973-74 and was a solid +16 while avoiding the penalty box. On May 24, 1974, he and fellow defenceman Mike Christie were sent to the California Seals for skillful forward Ivan Boldirev. Frig played aggressively and held his own on one of the NHL's weakest teams. He remained with the franchise when it relocated to Cleveland in 1976-77 then suited up briefly for the St. Louis Blues. Frig was more or less a reserve for the Blues but excelled on their Salt Lake Golden Eagles farm team. He was named to the CHL's first all-star team in 1979 and 1980, after which he retired. After three years away from the game, Frig returned to Salt Lake for a little more than a season before leaving the game for good in 1986.
