[1] He broke into professional hockey in 1964 with the St. Louis Braves of the Central Hockey League (CPHL), and joined the Chicago Black Hawks at left wing for the 1967–68 season, playing the year with his older brother Chico.
In a preseason game on September 21, 1969, Maki and Boston Bruins defenceman "Terrible" Ted Green engaged in a bloody, violent stick-swinging fight; Green was hit in the head and suffered a fractured skull and a brain injury.
[2] Maki was eventually sent down to the Buffalo Bisons of the American Hockey League (AHL).
Maki played two-and-a-half seasons with Vancouver until being diagnosed with brain cancer in December 1972.
The Canucks allowed Messier to wear the number over the protest of Maki's family.