Caps Alumni Biographies: Alan May

Right-winger Alan May was a hard-nosed grinder who demonstrated pugilistic ability when challenged during his eight NHL seasons in the 1980s and '90s. I addition to his toughness, he was also a responsible defensive player whose plus/minus rating was always respectable.

The native of Swan Hills, Alberta, May played junior with the Medicine Hat Tigers and the New Westminster Bruins. After scoring 23 goals for the Carolina Thunderbirds of the Atlantic Coast League in 1986-87, the young forward was signed by the Boston Bruins as a free agent. He spent most of the next season in the AHL and joined the Edmonton Oilers where he also added grit to the farm team.
May's career took a turn for the better after he was traded to the Washington Capitals in June 1989. The burly winger spent nearly five years with the Caps where he checked diligently, took the body, and contributed a bit of offense with his forechecking. In 1990, his work down low helped Washington reach the semi-finals for the first time in franchise history.
Toward the end of his NHL tenure, May also toiled for the Dallas Stars and Calgary Flames. He retired in 1997 after playing two years in the IHL, which included a Turner Cup championship with the Utah Grizzlies in 1996.
Player bios courtesy of the Hockey Hall of Fame