Traded to Jets with Bryan Maxwell and Ed Staniowski by St. Louis Blues for Scott Campbell and John Markell, July 3, 1981. Traded to Detroit Red Wings for Brent Ashton, June 13, 1988.
The Jets acquired lumbering winger Paul MacLean in the summer of 1981 and alongside Dale Hawerchuk, he became the fourth-leading all-time scorer in Jets' history over the course of the next seven seasons. Though not blessed with a lot of skill, he knew how to get the best out of his large frame to pick up a lot of so-called “garbage” goals. He was traded to the Detroit Red Wings following the 1987-1988 season and after one year in Detroit, he wound up his playing career after two seasons with the St. Louis Blues. MacLean made his NHL debut in 1980-1981 as a member of the Blues, the team that had selected him in the seventh round of the 1978 Amateur Draft. He was born in France, where his father was stationed in the Canadian Armed Forces. His slow, lumbering style earned many a scream of “Get off the ice, MacLean!” from the far reaches of the upper deck. After his playing career, he turned to coaching and worked in the minor leagues and in the NHL.
