Mark Freer

Lore & Background

Freer began his major junior career with the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League in 1985–86, scoring 44 points as a rookie. He improved to 82 points in 1986–87 and 109 points in 1987–88, playing alongside winger Jody Hull. He was invited to Canada's national junior team summer camp but was sent home with an injury. After going undrafted, he signed with the Philadelphia Flyers as an unrestricted free agent and made his NHL debut on January 28, 1987, against the Buffalo Sabres, registering an assist on Scott Mellanby's goal. He spent most of his early professional years with Philadelphia's AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears, scoring 30 goals in his AHL rookie season.

In the 1992 off-season, Freer was left unprotected by the Flyers and selected by the expansion Ottawa Senators in the 1992 NHL expansion draft. He played 63 games for Ottawa in 1992–93, scoring ten goals and 24 points, including his first multi-goal game on December 9, 1992, against the Hartford Whalers. After Ottawa bought out his contract in July 1993, he signed with the Calgary Flames on August 10, 1993. He was assigned to the Flames' new AHL affiliate, the Saint John Flames, where he was named the team's first captain and scored 86 points in 77 games. He played two NHL games for Calgary in 1993–94, his final NHL appearances.

Freer then moved to the International Hockey League, signing with the expansion Houston Aeros in 1994. He played six seasons with Houston, becoming the franchise's all-time leader in games, goals, assists, points, game-winning goals, and power-play goals. In 1998, the Aeros won the Turner Cup, and Freer was awarded the Norman R. 'Bud' Poile Trophy as playoff MVP after scoring 22 points in 19 games. He later played for the Philadelphia Phantoms and Hershey Bears in the AHL before retiring in 2003.

Reader's Guide

Mark Freer's career is notable for his role in the early seasons of multiple expansion franchises. He was part of the Ottawa Senators' inaugural NHL season after being selected in the 1992 expansion draft, and he later joined the Calgary Flames organization as a key offensive player for their new AHL affiliate, the Saint John Flames, where he served as the first captain. His professional longevity is marked by his move to the Houston Aeros for their inaugural IHL season in 1994, where he became the franchise's record holder in several offensive categories. His playoff performance in 1998, when he led the Aeros to the Turner Cup and was named playoff MVP, stands as the peak of his minor league career. Freer also represented Canada at the 1995 World Championships, winning a bronze medal. His career illustrates the path of a skilled forward who found sustained success in the minor leagues after a brief NHL tenure spanning three teams.

Did You Know?

• Freer scored his first NHL goal against goaltender Tim Cheveldae of the Detroit Red Wings on January 21, 1992.
• He was the last original member of the Houston Aeros when he was traded to the Philadelphia Phantoms in 2000.
• Freer appeared in his 1,000th professional hockey game during the 2001–02 season with the Philadelphia Phantoms.