Leonard “Len” Hachborn

Len Hachborn was born on September 9, 1961 in Brantford, Ontario to Gary and Lily Hachborn. He grew up in the company of his older brother Larry and younger sister Linda. Some of his favourite memories include his childhood in Brantford where he learned to play many sports and learned the importance of teamwork. He was fortunate to have had a special group friends and teammates who were all multi-sport athletes playing baseball, lacrosse, and hockey together throughout their youth.

Greg Stefan, Dan Mandich, Jim Burton and Wayne Gretzky formed teams that went on to receive accolades including their performance in the 1974 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament and multiple youth sports championships. All athletes, including Len, went on to fulfill successful careers in the NHL.

Some early highlights of his hockey career include playing junior hockey in his hometown for the Brantford Alexanders (Ontario Hockey League “OHL”) and being drafted to the NHL in 1981. Len signed his first NHL contract on June 4, 1982 with the Philadelphia Flyers-his favourite childhood team. He began his professional career in Portland Maine with the Maine Mariners where he led the team in scoring on the way to the Calder Cup finals.

Playing in the NHL is every Canadian boy’s dream and it was no different for Len. He played 102 NHL games for the Philadelphia Flyers and L.A. Kings between 1983 and 1986. He was honoured to play on the same line with his idol Bobby Clarke. He continued to play professional hockey for a total of 20 years weaving between the European Hockey League, the American Hockey League, The International Hockey League (IHL) and the West Coast Hockey League (WCHL).

Len earned a reputation for his unusual talent as a hockey player. He was known as a finesse player who skated with speed and had a talent to make perfect passes from impossible angles. His style of play was well suited for the big ice surface in Europe where he played eight seasons in seven different countries. Playing in Europe was an unforgettable experience for him on and off the ice. He was able to play the sport he loved and at the same time embed himself into the culture.

Additional career highlights include playing in the Stanley Cup Finals in 1985, winning the Taylor Cup in 1998 with the San Diego Gulls and then again in 2000 with the Phoenix Mustangs plus two European Team Championships.

His decision to retire from hockey in 2001 at the age of 40 was not a difficult one. He was ready to settle down and plant some roots with his young family. Len has made his home in Portland Maine where he played his first professional hockey game and where he met his wife Karen. Their family includes two daughters, Daniella and Lianna who all feel blessed and proud to have been a part of his story.