David Gregory Ling (born January 9, 1975) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey forward. Ling was selected by the Quebec Nordiques in the 7th round (179th overall) of the 1993 NHL entry draft.
Contents
Playing career
Junior
Ling played with the Charlottetown Abbies for three seasons (starting at age 14) and in his third season the MRJHL as a 17-year-old in 1991–92, as he scored 33 goals, 75 points and 270 PIM in only 30 games. Ling also played eight games with the St. Michael's Buzzers of the OHA, earning 19 points.
Ling was drafted in the second round (18th overall) by the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League.
Ling made his OHL debut during the 1992–93 season, as he had 17 goals, 63 points and 275 PIM in 64 games with the Kingston Frontenacs and was voted onto the second all rookie team. Ling had a solid playoffs with Kingston, as he had 15 points in 16 games, helping the club to the third round of the post-season.
In the 1993–94 season, Ling improved his numbers, scoring 37 goals and 77 points in 61 games, as well as accumulating 254 PIM (led the league in PIMs). Ling then chipped in with six points in six playoff games for the Frontenacs.
Ling saw his numbers explode during the 1994–95, as he finished second in the league with 135 points, as he scored an OHL high 61 goals, along with 74 assists, helping lead the Frontenacs to best record in the East Division. Ling continued his dominance in the playoffs, scoring seven goals and 15 points in only six games despite playing with a broken thumb. In spite of his efforts, the Frontenacs were upset in the first round. Ling was awarded the Red Tilson Trophy, awarded to the most outstanding player in the OHL, the Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy, which is awarded to the highest scoring right winger in the OHL, as well as CHL Player of the Year.
Ling would eventually see his number 17 raised to the rafters, as the Frontenacs honoured his number.
Professional
Ling was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques in the seventh round, 179th overall in the 1993 NHL entry draft.
On June 21, 1995, Ling would have his rights transferred to the Colorado Avalanche as the Nordiques relocated to Denver, Colorado to begin play in 1995–96. He would not stay in Colorado for very long, as on July 7, 1995, the Avalanche traded Ling and Colorado's ninth round draft pick in the 1995 NHL entry draft to the Calgary Flames for the Flames' ninth round draft pick in the same draft.
Ling made his professional hockey debut with the Saint John Flames of the American Hockey League (AHL) during the 1995–96 season, scoring 24 goals and 56 points in 75 games with Saint John, while registering 179 PIM. Ling then appeared in nine playoff games for Saint John, earning five assists.
He began the 1996–97 season with Saint John once again, however, Ling appeared in only five games, getting two assists. On October 24, 1996, Calgary traded Ling and the Flames' sixth round draft pick in the 1998 NHL entry draft to the Montreal Canadiens for Scott Fraser.
Ling would continue the 1996–97 season with the Fredericton Canadiens of the AHL, where he scored 22 goals, 58 points and 240 PIM in 48 games. Ling also made his National Hockey League debut during the season, going pointless in two games with the Montreal Canadiens.
Ling began the 1997–98 season with Fredericton once again, where in 67 games, he had 25 goals and 66 points. Ling also appeared in one game with Montreal, where he did not earn a point.
On March 14, 1998, the Canadiens traded Ling to the Chicago Blackhawks for Martin Gendron.
Ling finished out the 1997–98 season with the Indianapolis Ice of the International Hockey League (IHL), where he had 14 points in 12 games, then earning five points in five playoff games.
On September 3, 1998, Ling signed with the Kansas City Blades of the IHL, however, the Blackhawks retained his NHL rights. He had a very solid 1998–99 season in Kansas City, scoring 30 goals and 72 points in 82 games, however, he recorded only a goal in three playoff games with the Blades.
Personal
Ling's brother, Jamie, played seven years of professional hockey. In 2015 Ling was accused of domestic violence and grand theft, the charges were later dropped.