After spending the 1958–59 season with the minor-league Rochester Americans, Balfour was sold to the Chicago Black Hawks for cash.

[1] Balfour was a member of the renowned "Million Dollar Line" alongside Bobby Hull and Bill Hay with the Black Hawks.

In the fifth game, Balfour crashed into the Detroit Red Wings net and broke his arm.

[2] During the 1961–62 season Balfour re-injured his wrist, requiring surgery and an 8 inches (20 cm) steel rod implanted for support.

After the tumor was found on Balfour's lung, he returned home to Regina, and entered a hospital on May 29.