A career minor leaguer, he played three games for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the 1951–52 season.

[1] With the outbreak of World War II, Ailsby served with the Canadian military, and missed a couple of seasons.

[7] While in the Rangers organization, Ailsby met Aline Adams, an attendant at Madison Square Garden, and married her in 1941.

[8] After his hockey career was over, Ailsby and his family returned to Saskatchewan, where they operated a farm outside of Swift Current.

[8] Ailsby remained a hockey fan and supporter, and in 1986 was part of a group of local businessmen instrumental in securing the return of the Swift Current Broncos to the city from Lethbridge.