Don played his college hockey with the University of Manitoba Battlesheep where he starred as a right shooting left-winger. Don quickly became known for his rough tough style and his high, precision passing. Don turned down a sure shot at NHL stardom in favor of a spin in the European Elite League, playing in Zug, Switzerland that year. The following year he returned to his studies at the U of M in a recalcitrant mood. Lecturing where he could, performing odd jobs, even driving taxi in the Northwest Territories, and playing hockey for “per diems” in whatever town he landed.

The Red Army drafted this “gun for hire” in the 5th round in 1980. After a brief stint with the Red Army, Don took a leave of absence to study medicine in support of his hobby - giving gynecological exams. While at University, Don allegedly obtained his MD and began his freelance philosophy lectures. His medical expertise has stood him in good stead: Don draws more blood on the ice with his stick than with his scalpel in the Operating Room and with a minor in Dentistry, he has cleanly extracted more teeth with his elbows than most dentists do with a tooth puller.

In 1994, Don finally consented to share the secrets of his passing expertise at Artie's Hockey School and has been an Instructor there ever since. In 1996, he took on the role of Playing Team Physician and Chief Surgeon and is kept busy supplying himself with patients.

"In hockey, as in war and everything else, a victory is the one thing you cannot get by looking for it. If you look for truth, you may find victory in the end: if you look for victory you will get neither victory or truth - only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin with and, in the end, despair." -from Don’s disconsolate period – Winter 1987 and again Summer 1991