He played junior for the Winnipeg Rangers and senior for the Nelson Maple Leafs. In 1969-70 he turned pro with the Omaha Knights, a New York Rangers' farm team. He spent three years there without getting a shot with the Rangers. In the 1972 NHL Expansion Draft Lefley was chosen by the New York Islanders and finally got into the NHL. He played a full but so-so season in 1972-73 with the Isles but found himself back in the minors in 1973-74. Chosen by the Kansas City Scouts in the 1974 NHL Expansion Draft, he played only 29 games for the Scouts before, again, going to the minors.