Don Luce was a superior defensive centre and penalty killer who could score and work the power play. His strong two-way play and work on face offs aided all five teams on which he played, especially the Buffalo Sabres.
Luce played junior with the Kitchener Rangers of the OHA. He was chosen 14th overall by the New York Rangers at the 1966 Amateur Draft then spent two years developing with the CHL's Omaha Knights. The young pivot registered consecutive 20-goal seasons for Omaha and was placed on the CHL first all-star team. He played briefly with the Rangers at the end of the 1969-70 season and the beginning of the next before he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings. Luce was a solid checker the rest of the year with his new club but did not fit into their long-range plans.
Luce was traded to the Buffalo Sabres in May 1971 and went on to become one of the top defensive centres and penalty killers in the game. His finest year was 1974-75 when he scored 33 goals, including eight shorthanded, while forming one of the best number-two lines in the NHL with Craig Ramsay and Danny Gare. That spring, he scored 16 points and provided stellar two way work as Buffalo reached the Stanley Cup finals. Following the season, Luce was presented the Bill Masterton trophy. In all, Luce hit the 20-goal mark six times and scored 25 times when killing penalties.
The veteran forward was moved to the L.A. Kings in March 1971 as Buffalo started to make changes. Prior to the 1981-82 season, he was sent to the Toronto Maple Leafs where he played his last 39 games before retiring.
