David Ling never knew the meaning of the word “Quit”. Although he may have been small in stature, he was absolutely huge in heart and played the game the only way he knew how. It was with that kind of passion and tenacity that endeared Ling to the Frontenacs faithful and catapulted him to become the only player in Kingston franchise history to win the CHL’s Most Outstanding Player Award. Arguably the most beloved Kingston Junior hockey player in franchise history, Linger and Scott Metcalfe, are the only two players in team history to be in the top ten in goals, assists, points and penalty minutes. He was a prototypical team player, who would always stick up for his teammates when needed. An easy choice to Captain the Frontenacs in 1994-95, the same season he won CHL Most Outstanding player Award, with 61 goals and 135 points, leading the Frontenacs to their only regular season division title in franchise history.  In total, Ling scored 115 goals, 160 assists for 275 points in only three seasons in Kingston and was equally, if not more impressive in the post-season, where he tallied 14 goals and 36 points in 28 playoff games, including his stellar 94-95 post-season, where he registered 15 points in the Frontenacs shocking six game upset at the hands of the rival Belleville Bulls, despite playing the series with a broken hand. To this date, David Ling is still regarded by the fans of Kingston, as one of, if not the best player to ever dawn a Kingston jersey.

Ling was drafted in the seventh round of the 1993 NHL Draft by the Quebec Nordiques and graduated to the Saint John Flames of the American Hockey League following the 94-95 season and to date has been playing pro hockey ever since, culminating with National Hockey League stops in Montreal and Columbus.

Today David is still playing professional hockey, after spending last season in Finland playing for Jokerit Helsinki, where he scored 3 goals and 13 points in 23 games, after making the switch from Biel of the Swiss-A League. David lives in Oakville, Ontario in the off-season with his wife Jenn and their two boys, five year old Bates and one year old Dylan.

“My favorite hockey memory is playing my first NHL game for Montreal in 96-97. Just making it to and playing in the NHL is every kid from Canada’s dream,” said Ling.

“I have two favorite Kingston hockey memories and that’s winning the Division title in 94-95 and the night I had my jersey retired,” said Ling. “That night when we clinched the division just had a special feeling about it, there was just something in the air that night and was a really special feeling.”

“The fans in Kingston have always had a special place for me in their hearts and I’ll always have a special place for them in mine as well,” said the beloved Captain, who lists Gary Agnew has his favorite coach. Agnew coached Ling and the Frontenacs to the Division title in 94-95 and currently is an Assistant Coach with the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets.

Even today, more than 14 years since his last game in a Frontenacs jersey, David Ling still holds a special spot in the hearts of the Kingston faithful. David Ling was one of the most important members of two of the greatest teams in Kingston franchise history and this city won’t soon forget what he did for the franchise.  
“The fans in Kingston are the best fans ever and they gave me the best experience of my life and Kingston still feels like home to me,” concluded, your captain, #17 David Ling.  

BEST HOCKEY ADVICE:

“Work your hardest and try your best, it’s all anyone can ever ask for.”