ATD 2012 Bios Thread (as complete as possible: pic, quotes, stats, sources, etc)

[BraveCanadian]

With their fourteenth round pick (417) in the 2012 ATD, the Guelph Platers have selected: C, John Madden

Career Highlights:

Stanley Cup Champion, 2000, 2003, 2010.
Stanley Cup Finalist, 2001.
Frank J. Selke Trophy Winner, 2000-01.



Vitals:
Born: May 4, 1973
Position: C
Height: 5-11
Weight: 190
Shoots: Left


Regular Season:

Madden, who modelled his game after Guy Carbonneau, has an extremely impressive Selke record, winning once and being top 5 three others: 1, 2, 2, 5, 10.

He is an elite penalty killer and a short handed threat: Top 10 in SH goals: 1, 8, 10.




Career Regular Season Stats:

GP|G|A|Pts|+/-|PIM|EV|PP|SH|GW
882|162|183|345|21|217|137|7|18|23

Playoffs:

Madden's play was a key contributor to the 2003 New Jersey Devils Stanley Cup winning run. In addition to his usual strong defensive play, Madden was tied for third in playoff points with 16.


Career Playoff Stats:

GP|G|A|Pts|+/-|PIM|EV|PP|SH|GW
134|21|22|43|1|26|15|2|4|4

Quotations and Perspective:

Scott Stevens, the Devils' captain, was reading a newspaper article late in the season in which the leading contenders for the Selke Trophy were being discussed.

There was one glaring omission, Stevens said. John Madden, the Devils' 29-year-old checking center, was not mentioned as a candidate for the league's top defensive forward award.

''His name wasn't even brought up,'' Stevens said today, shaking his head. ''I was shocked. How could it not be?''

The ubiquitous Madden, who won the Selke in 2001, has been the most valuable skater for the Devils, who have raced to a three-games-to-none lead over the Boston Bruins in the first round of the playoffs.

Aside from the stellar play of Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur, the main reason the Bruins find themselves on the verge of elimination Tuesday night is their inability to get their best player, the top-line center Joe Thornton, away from Madden and Stevens, still the Devils' best defensive defenseman at age 39.

''The only way you're going to get them away from that line,'' said John O'Connell, the Boston general manager and coach, ''is to keep your best players off the ice. And we're not going to do that.''

Devils Coach Pat Burns was able to dictate the matchups, even though the Bruins had the prerogative of the last change here Sunday in Game 3. Burns repeatedly sent Madden out for important faceoffs. If O'Connell sent Thornton onto the ice, Madden stayed on the ice. If not, Madden returned to the bench, waited for Thornton to come out, then, with his linemates, changed on the fly.

''Pat's so good at that,'' said Thornton, who played for Burns when he was the Bruins' coach. ''He's coached a lot of teams. When he wants the matchups, he usually gets the matchups. And that hasn't changed in the series or here at home.''

At times, it seemed as if Madden and Stevens were surgically attached to Thornton, 23, who finished third in the league in scoring with 101 points but has only two assists against the Devils and no goals.

Instead, in Game 3, it was Madden who provided some offensive punch. A 19-goal scorer during the regular season, Madden scored a goal and assisted on two others Sunday afternoon. With 5 points in the Devils' first three games, Madden is tied with his teammate Jamie Langenbrunner for leading scorer in this season's playoffs.

But Madden said the points do not mean much to him.

''I'd be happy having zero points and three wins,'' he said.
.
.
.
So far, Madden has been more than up to the challenge, although his sliced-up face and bruised body attest to the punishment he has taken during the series.

Burns and Joe Nieuwendyk compared Madden to Guy Carbonneau in the way Madden seems to anticipate the play. No faint praise. A mainstay of Stanley Cup champions in Montreal and Dallas, Carbonneau was considered the premier defensive forward of his day and won the Selke three times.

''John skates so well, I think that it makes up for any size deficiency he might have,'' said Nieuwendyk, who was a longtime teammate of Carbonneau's in Dallas.

''John is very much like Guy Carbonneau. Carbo would hate me for saying this, but I think John is more offensively gifted. And that's not taking anything away from Carbo, because Carbo was one of the great ones.''

...
The real question mark for the Devils will be John Madden. Likely to be tabbed as the team's next captain, the gritty Madden is a perennial Selke Trophy winner and an absolute bulldog in all three zones.
...

...
Madden has been a defensive spark plug all season for the Hawks. He brought his Selke-worthy defensive presence over from the New Jersey Devils and made all of the guys on the offensive side of the puck re-think their defensive priorities. Jonathan Toews and Kris Versteeg have both benefited greatly from his tutelage, and the Hawks brought him in for this exact reason: to help play defense against the best teams in the league in the playoffs.

...
Martin Brodeur is the marquee name and the league's best goaltender. But Madden, 30, has mastered the gritty, grinding, defensive style that put New Jersey on the map. And the 5-foot-11, 190-pounder is a finalist for the Selke Trophy, which goes to the league's top defensive forward.

He also is as comfortable on the power play as the penalty kill, and his 15 points on six goals and nine assists are third on the team in the postseason.

A leader by example? Madden's left cheek was gashed by a skate 4:34 into Game 5 while he was buried at the bottom of a scrum he instigated by charging Ducks defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh.

Madden bled significantly as he skated off the ice. He was back before the end of the period, the 2-inch wound closed by 16 stitches, his eye puffy and discolored, but his feisty game intact.

"You feed off anybody like that," left wing Jay Pandolfo said. "Anything he does, we'll take notice of."

"He's a warrior," right wing Grant Marshall said. "He's one of the key guys who plays hard every night. He brings it every night."
...
Madden said that kind of work is more gratifying than scoring because it is what he trained for. He said he sculpted his game to fit what he believed the Devils lacked.

Madden's speed makes his forecheck effective. His tenacity takes away time and space from opponents and forces them into hasty decisions.
...

​

 

[Hedberg]

Winnipeg Saints LW Vic Hadfield

323 G, 389 A, 712 Pts in 1002 GP

1971-72 2nd Team All-Star
2nd in Goals 71-72
4th in Assists 71-72
4th in Points 71-72
Played in 1965, 1972 All-Star Game
Captain of the New York Rangers 1971-1974
Member of the 1972 Summit Series Team (although he left when in Russia)

Legends of Hockey

Not many players start out with reputations as enforcers and end up with equal billing for their goal scoring and puck handling abilities.

Hadfield played for the Rangers from 1961 until 1974. In 1963-64, Hadfield posted a league-leading 151 penalty minutes in 69 games. He stayed in the triple digits in the pim column for the next three seasons but started to increase his point totals during the 1967-68 season. Hadfield credited a new curved stick recommended by friend Bobby Hull; but the Rangers' acquisition of some additional tough guys helped as well. So did being put on a line with Jean Ratelle and Rod Gilbert, creating a combination so effective that they were nicknamed the Goal-A-Game line.

That was the first year that his point total came close to equaling his penalty minutes. He consistently scored twenty or more goals a season for the rest of his career. However, he still found time to entertain his teammates by "allegedly" nailing a defenseman's shoes to the floor of the dressing room. He also managed to steal Bernie Parent's mask during a game against the Leafs and toss it into the crowd at Madison Square Garden. Hadfield posted a personal best during the 1971-72 season with 50 goals and 106 points. During this same season he was again in triple digits in penalty minutes, with 142, demonstrating that it was possible to do it all. The Rangers made him their captain in 1971, a position he held until being traded to Pittsburgh in 1974.

Retro Rangers

“Metamorphosis†is a word that is often used to characterize Vic Hadfield’s hockey career. How else would you describe a guy who started out as an awkward skating tough guy and through a lot of hard work and determination became an All-Star, a 50-goal scorer and Captain of the New York Rangers?

Early in the 1968-69 season Camille Henry was playing on a line with Jean Ratelle and Rod Gilbert but the trio was getting roughed up game in and game out. Finally after an especially tough night in Toronto, Francis had seen enough and he inserted Vic into Henry’s spot on the left wing with specific instructions.

“If anyone bothers Ratelle or Gilbert, beat the (bleep) out of them,†Francis told Hadfield.

Not only did Vic protect his linemates but surprisingly picked up his offensive production as well. Because of his aggressive reputation, he was given a little more room to maneuver by opponents who may not have wanted to be greeted by an elbow or a stick. Hadfield also worked on his skating and possessed a quick, accurate slap shot that was aided by the new curved stick blade that was introduced to him by his friend Bobby Hull.

The line clicked and soon became known as the Goal-A-Game (G-A-G) line and in 1971-72 Hadfield became the first Rangers to score 50 goals in a season, a record that stood until Adam Graves scored 52 goals in 1994.

“People thought I was a genius for putting Vic on that line,†said Francis. “But all I wanted to do was protect my two best players.â€

NY Rangers Legends:

Hadfield idolized Ted Lindsay as a boy, and his style was very similar. In his first year he battled names like Bobby Baun, Tim Horton and Terrible Teddy Green. In his first complete NHL season he led the league in penalty minutes with 151 and even chipped in 25 points.

Hadfield is best remembered as the power-forward on the GAG Line ( goal-a-game line) with Jean Ratelle and Rod Gilbert. Ratelle and Gilbert played an elegant, beautiful game of puck possession and skill while Hadfield's contradictory style complimented them so well. He may not have been the best of the three, but he made that line work.

Hadfield's great leadership abilities were recognized when he became captain of the Rangers in 1971. He often set the tone for the team, both on the ice and off of it. On the ice he led by example.

 

[Dreakmur]

Smokey Harris !!!​

Awards and Achievements:
4 x PCHA League Champion (1916, 1921, 1922, 1923)

PCHA First All-Team (1913, 1916, 1919, 1920)
PCHA Second All-Star Team (1922)

Statistics:
Points – 1st(1921), 2nd(1913), 3rd(1919), 3rd(1920), 7th(1917), 8th(1924), 9th(1914), 9th(1915), 9th(1922), 12th(1918)
Goals – 2nd(1913), 3rd(1919), 5th(1920), 6th(1914), 6th(1921), 8th(1915), 8th(1922), 9th(1917)
Assists – 1st(1921), 1st(1924), 2nd(1920), 4th(1913), 5th(1917), 6th(1918), 6th(1919), 8th(1922), 10th(1923)

Points among Defenseman – 3rd(1924)

Play-off Points – 1st(1916), 1st(1921)
Play-off Goals – 1st(1916), 1st(1921)

1919 – led his team in play-off scoring

He was a fast skater and smooth stickhandler…

Fred "Smokey" Harris and xxx led the Millionaires, who "showed wonderful stamina and skated at a terrific pace.

The Adams brothers probably would have been starters on any other team in the west coast league or the NHL, but the Millionaires boasted a lineup that made rival coaches drool in envy. Skinner, Smokey Harris, the master hook-checker...

Fred Harris, the roughest and toughest boy in the league.

Known as a fast skater, smooth stickhandler and master "hook-checker," Harris was a strong, physical player in the PCHA, starring with the Vancouver Millionaires and Portland Rosebuds.

Frank Boucher, Mickey MacKay and Smokey Harris, three tricky performers, rank high in the esteem of the coast admirers….

….

… Harris as usual has been driving ahead with his regular speed and usual fighting form.

Harris went on for Frank Boucher, his heavy body checking was immediately felt by Ottawa forwards.

….

Harris, MacKay, and Parkes held the puck in centre area for a considerable time and worked through at intervals for 3 hard drives on Benedict.

 

[vecens24]

I’m proud to welcome defenseman Glen Harmon (yes, an arrbez special from what I’ve found haha) to the squad. Harmon was a member of two Canadiens Stanley Cup winning squads, one in 1944, the other in 1946. Along with the Stanley Cups, he was also a two time Second team NHL All Star (1945, 1949). Harmon also received FIVE seasons of All-Star consideration from the late 40s-early 50s. Harmon combined physicality with finesse to make him one of the best defensemen of his day. From the day he stepped into the NHL, he was immediately an impact player, which can be evidenced by his runner up Calder Trophy finish in 1943, despite only playing in half of the games that season as a call-up. He twice led all defensemen in goals scored. And to show his well rounded game (and this is taken from a past bio by my esteemed colleague arrbez), he went 34 games without allowing a goal against. Also, he was a Second Team All Star in 1945 at Right defence so despite being left-handed. Harmon was known primarily around these parts as a defensive DMan from what I’ve seen in the past, but hopefully some of the stats and quotes will prove him to be a very well rounded DMan good at both ends of the ice.

Accomplishments:
Two-time Second Team NHL All Star (1945, 1949)
All-Star Voting: 3rd (1949), 4th (1945), 5-9th (1950), 7th (1947), 10th (1944)
Two Time Stanley Cup Winner (1944, 1946)
Played in NHL All Star Game in 1949 and 1950
Defensemen goals: 1st: 1948, 1949. 4th: 1946, 1947 6th: 1945
Defensemen assists: 7th : 1946, 1950 8th: 1949 9th: 1951 10th: 1944

Quotes:
From the Canadiens History website:

A sound positional defenseman with the offensive skills to support his forwards, Harmon was an able skater who could carry the puck himself or relay it to teammates with his crisp, sharp passes.

His stocky frame and low center of gravity were put to good use, thrilling the Forum crowds as Harmon laid some of the league’s most jarring bodychecks on enemy players.

The Windsor Daily Star April 5, 1945:

Glen Harmon was the other member of the Canadiens to get all-star rating, being named to the right defence position…

Montreal Gazette December 7 1945

XXX teamed up with the speedy Glen Harmon…

Montreal Gazette November 12 1945

The Habitants finally scored when Glen Harmon pulled the trigger from well out on a ganging play….. the rubber winding up in the back of the net without the goalie making a move.

New York Times October 22, 1948

In the final period, the Canadiens tallied when Glen Harmon flat-footed for a breakaway while his own team was a man short…

Windsor Daily Star April 5 1946

…xxxx was standing on the Boston goal crease when he deflected Glen Harmon’s 40 foot forward pass to chalk up the first of his two goals of the night.

Ottawa Citizen February 3 1947 (which as you’ll see next was apparently a very busy day for Harmon)

Glen Harmon fired the puck through a maze of players from the blue line and XXX and Richard also added a pair more before the period ended…

The Flying Frenchmen by Maurice Richard and Stan Fischler:

Earlier in the game, Glen Harmon smashed Chicago's Doug Bentley to the ice, leaving the Black Hawks star with a broken nose and three facial cuts requiring six stitches.

Montreal Gazette February 3 1947

A half minute later Glen Harmon and Bryan Hextall rolled on the ice, clawing at each other and when Harmon got up he went berserk and pushed referee Hayes....

Windsor Daily Star, February 23rd, 1943:

Manager Jack Adams says Glen Harmon has played the leading part in the Montreal Canadiens National Hockey League revival

Jack Adams:

"They're the team to beat." And asked if any one individual had played a leading part in the Habitents rise, Jack said: "You can say that again. That boy Glen Harmon has put plenty of life into them....He's travelling all the time. He's got speed to burn. He clears pretty well, is shifty, and seems to give the team more pep than they ever had early on in the season.

Johnny Mowers, Detroit's goalie:

Before he came up, Canadiens' big fault was getting the puck out of their own end. They don't have that trouble now, and from what I've seen Harmon has been the man to remedy that fault.

And our own esteemed seventieslord, after watching Stanley Cup film, in response to nik jr’s question on Gee:

If you're asking that to be funny, it was very funny.

Unfortunately, the clips were limited (as I said, 3 series stuffed into a half hour) so no, I didn't get to see him do anything interesting defensively.

Harmon was breaking up plays and blocking shots all over the place, though.

And these are taken from arrbez’s bio of Harmon in 2010:

This is my second time around with Glen Harmon, and the more I read about him, the more I find him to be massively underrated. To start with, he was a two-time Allstar. Now one of those selections was in the war years, but I think the context in which he earned the selection actually makes it fairly impressive. The other three defenders on the Allstar Team that year were Hollet, Pratt, and Bouchard. They scored 41, 41, and 35 points respectively and were the top 3 in the league. Harmon tallied 13, which put him 13th in the scoring race. Notable players he beat out who outscored him by a wide margin that year: Seibert, Quackenbush, Crawford, Heller, Egan. I think it's pretty fair to say that Harmon made that team based on his defensive play, which is a pretty notable feat in an era where defensemen were putting up previously-unthinkable scoring totals.

This is backed up from Tommy Gorman in the Ottawa Citizen in late February of that year:

"You know the most underrated player on the team? Glen Harmon! Boy, he's a dandy. He always gets a goal when it's badly needed, like the tying one in Toronto on Saturday. And he has been on the ice for only 16 goals scored against the club all season !"

The season before he and his partner Leo Lamoureux had gone 34 games at one point without allowing a goal against. Harmon could clearly play defense, and as the Gorman quote above hints at, he could score too. Glen Harmon led all NHL defensemen in goals in both the 1948 and 1949 seasons. There's tons of old newspaper quotes talking about his shot beating goaltenders from the blueline, and he led all Montreal blueliners in scoring during their 1946 cup run (the team featured top offensive d-men Bouchard and Reardon as well).

I haven't found any direct mentions of his skating either way, but judging by quotes like this one from the Ottawa Citizen, it looks like he could certainly carry the puck when needed:

The Habitants showed a weakness Saturday night in getting the puck out from behind their own blueline. Glen Harmon was the only blueliner who appeared able to carry it out with any degree of success.

What’s more, Harmon was a fearless player known for sprawling in front of shots:

Glen Harmon was also hurt in the closing minutes of the last game when he sprawled in front of a Pat Egan shot and caught in on the wrist.
"I thought my hand was blown off for a minute," said Glen. "Egan puts a lot of spin on that puck. But I'll be alright for Satruday" - Montreal Gazette (April 6, 1946)

And for good measure, a couple other quotes that paint him as an excellent player:

Glen Harmon was the pick of Irvin's rearguard, which is at full strength for the big series with Bouchard, Reardon, Lamoureux, and Eddolls all in action - The Maple Leaf, Mar 23 1946

The [Rangers] club needs a standout defenseman in the worst way, but can you imagine Tommy Gorman handing over Glen Harmon, or Happy Day parting with Babe Pratt? - Ottawa Citizen (November 19, 1943)

 

[BillyShoe1721]

RW Harry Hyland

PCHA 1st Team All Star 11-12
1x Stanley Cup Champion
Hockey Hall of Fame Member

Eastern Canada Hockey League [1908-09]

Top-10 Scoring (6th)
Top-10 Goalscoring (6th)
Top-10 Penalty Minutes (10th)
*Assist were not recorded*

National Hockey Association [1909-11;1912-17]
Top-10 Scoring (3rd, 3rd, 4th, 5th)
Top-10 Goalscoring (3rd, 3rd, 4th, 5th)
Top-10 Assist (4th, 9th)
Top-10 Playoff Scoring (6th)
Top-10 Playoff Goalscoring (6th)
Top-10 Playoff Penalty Minutes (1st, 7th)

Pacific Coast Hockey Association [1911-12]
Top-10 Scoring (2nd)
Top-10 Goalscoring (2nd)
Top-10 Penalty Minutes (7th)
*Assist were not recorded*

National Hockey League [1917-18]
Top-10 Goalscoring (8th)
Top-10 Penalty Minutes (5th)

Goalscoring performances of the best National Hockey Association players from 1911 to 1915

1. Harry Hyland - 106 goals in 72 games played - 1.47 goals/game
2. Joe Malone - 104 goals in 67 games played - 1.55 goals/game
3. Didier Pitre - 95 goals in 70 games played - 1.35 goals/game
4. Edouard Lalonde - 78 goals in 54 games played - 1.44 goals/game

. A fast skater with a powerful shot, he scored two goals in his professional debut against Quebec.

Hyland joined the Montreal Wanderers for 1909-10 and was a major part of the Wanderers Stanley Cup championship. The season of 1909-10 also saw Hyland as a member of the Minto Cup champion Montreal Shamrocks lacrosse team.

In 1911-12 he joined the New Westminster Royals of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association and was named to the PCHA First All-Star team. He also played on another Minto Cup championship lacrosse team during his stay in New Westminster.

Hyland returned to the Wanderers the following season and scored eight goals in a single game on January 27, 1913 in a 10-6 Montreal victory over Quebec. He remained with the Wanderers until the team was dissolved in January 1918 when a fire destroyed the Westmount Arena. He finished his playing career as a member of the Ottawa Senators after being claimed in the NHL Dispersal Draft of Wanderers players.

http://www.legendsofhockey.net/Lege...er.jsp?mem=p196211&type=Player&page=bio&list=

One of hockey's earliest stars was Harry Hyland, a goal scoring right winger from Montreal who played mostly in his hometown and most famously with the Montreal Wanderers from about 1910 through 1918.

"A fast skater with powerful, accurate shot," Hyland knew how to score goals. He once scored 8 times in a single game (January 25th 1913 against the Quebec Bulldogs). He scored a hat trick in the Stanley Cup championship game in 1910. He scored 4 goals in the PCHA championship game in 1912. He is the 4th highest scorer in National Hockey Association (fore-runner to the NHL) history. And on opening night in NHL history on December 19th, 1917, he scored no less than five times! In total (NHA, PCHA, NHL) he scored 198 goals in 159 big league games.

Harry played for the Montreal Galics, the St. Ann's and the Shamrocks. He entered into the Eastern Canadian Hockey Association (ECHA) by becoming a member of the Montreal Shamrocks while still within the junior age limit. Harry shared his ECHA debut with the famous Joe Malone who too was new into the league playing for the Quebec Bulldogs. Their introduction to the league were against one another where Harry scored twice leading the Shamrocks to a slight victory of 9-8 over the Bulldogs. Harry had an astounding first year racking up nineteen goals in the eleven games he played.

During the 1909-1910 season Harry played for the Montreal Wanderers...just in time to make a run for the Stanley Cup. During the two years with the Wanderers, Harry showed he was not much a playmaker as he was a pure goal scorer.

For the 1911-1912 season, the Pacific Canadian Hockey Association (PCHA) managed to get Hyland to play for the New Westminster Royals. In fifteen games, Harry terrorized goalies with a smashing twenty six goals! This amazing feat led his team to capture the league championship.

In 1913 Hyland - a small but tough little bugger - rejoined the Wanderers. On January 27, 1913 he scored eight goals which landed him in second for the highest single game total in history of the National Hockey Association (NHA). The only two people to do better were Newsy Lalonde and Tommy Smith who both managed to score nine goals in a single game.

Most famously teaming with Odie Cleghorn and Gordon Roberts, Harry remained with the Wanderers until they joined the National Hockey League (NHL) for the 1917 - 1918 season. At this time Harry was picked up by Ottawa in the dispersal draft after Montreal's arena was destroyed by a fire. That year Harry retired from the NHL.

http://www.greatesthockeylegends.com/2010/11/harry-hyland.html

Hyland was a fast and tricky stickhandler.

-Trail of the Stanley Cup, Vol. 1

Montreal-born Harry Hyland was once described as one of the greatest right wingers of his day while teaming with Montreal Wanderer linemate Gordon Roberts to form one of the best scoring combinations in the game.

Harry Hyland was a scoring star who helped the Montreal Wanderers to the Stanley Cup in 1910. Together with linemates Odie Cleghorn and Gordon Roberts, the trio was a formidable force.

-Classic Auctions

Not quite the same thing, but at the end of Vol. 1 of The Trail of the Stanley Cup the author, Charles L. Coleman, selected his all-star team for 1893-1926.

The nominees were:

G: Clint Benedict, Harry Holmes, Georges Vezina, and Hugh Lehman

He selected Clint Benedict.

D: Harry Cameron, Sprague Cleghorn, Eddie Gerard, and Ernie Johnson

He selected Sprague Cleghorn and Ernie Johnson.

Rover: Newsy Lalonde, Mickey MacKay, and Fred Taylor

He selected Newsy Lalonde.

F: Russell Bowie, Harry Broadbent, Jack Darragh, Cy Denneny, Frank Foyston, Harry Hyland, Joe Malone, Frank Nighbor, Didier Pitre, Gordon Roberts, and Ernie Russell

He selected Russell Bowie, Joe Malone and Frank Nighbor.

http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showthread.php?p=42245725&highlight=hyland#post42245725

Thus Cleghorn will cost the Ottawas [Dave] Ritchie, a promising defence player; [Harry] Hyland, a dangerous forward; and [Rutsy] Crawford, a good utility man....

-Ottawa Citizen, December 7th, 1918

Art Ross, Ernie Russell, Cleghorn brothers and Harry Hyland are considered the equal of any other five in the game today

-Toronto Sunday World, December 1912

ALL-TIME GREATS, WEEK 19: HARRY HYLAND. Harry Hyland led the Montréal Wanderers to an O’Brien Trophy championship in the inaugural season of the National Hockey Association of 1909-10. The victory also secured the Stanley Cup, which was retained three days after the close of the NHA season in a one-match challenge against Berlin of the Ontario Professional Hockey League. The Wanderers won 7-3, with Hyland scoring three goals including the game winner.

http://www.thewantlist.ca/all-time-greats/greats-harry-hyland/

Harry Hyland, the crack forward of last season's Wanderer hockey team...

http://news.google.com/newspapers?i...AAAIBAJ&pg=4310,6026646&dq=harry+hyland&hl=en

In the event of Eddie Gerard not being able to play against Canadiens at the arenas tomorrow night, Harry Hyland will captain the Ottawa team.

http://news.google.com/newspapers?i...AAAIBAJ&pg=2991,4249031&dq=harry+hyland&hl=en

There will be no argument about those former stars having what it takes. The dinner eguest list included, among others, Joe Malone, Newsy Lalonde, Jack Laviolette, Donald Smith, Walter Smail, Pud Glass and Harry Hyland. Going to hockey games as a youngster, we recall these men. They were among the hockey masters of their time.

http://news.google.com/newspapers?i...AAAIBAJ&pg=6386,4953034&dq=harry+hyland&hl=en


All Time Leading NHA Goal Scorers

Player|Games|Goals|Goals/Game
Joe Malone|123|179|1.455
Newsy Lalonde|104|150|1.442
Harry Hyland|117|144|1.23
Didier Pitre|128|156|1.219
Odie Cleghorn|119|135|1.134
Jack Darragh|132|122|.924

Name | Height | Weight | GP | PIM | PIM/GP | Top-3 In Goals
Newsy Lalonde | 5'9" | 168 | 330 | 957 | 2.9 | 7
Harry Hyland | 5'6" | 156 | 163 | 435 | 2.67 | 3
Punch Broadbent | 5'7" | 183 | 401 | 850 | 2.12 | 2
Tommy Dunderdale | 5'8" | 160 | 289 | 567 | 1.96 | 4
Jack Adams | 5'9" | 175 | 271 | 517 | 1.91 | 1
Gord Roberts | 5'11" | 180 | 179 | 315 | 1.76 | 5
Rusty Crawford | 5'11" | 165 | 260 | 442 | 1.7 | 0
Tommy Smith | 5'6" | 150 | 154 | 252 | 1.64 | 2
Smokey Harris | 5'11" | 165 | 296 | 482 | 1.63 | 2
Didier Pitre | 5'11" | 185 | 317 | 476 | 1.5 | 3
Odie Cleghorn | 5'9" | 195 | 327 | 456 | 1.39 | 2
Jack Darragh | 5'10" | 168 | 273 | 376 | 1.38 | 0
Dick Irvin | 5'9" | 162 | 261 | 245 | 0.94 | 1
Cy Denneny | 5'7" | 168 | 513 | 475 | 0.93 | 7
Cyclone Taylor | 5'8" | 165 | 219 | 196 | 0.89 | 5
Mickey MacKay | 5'9" | 162 | 444 | 364 | 0.82 | 4
Frank Nighbor | 5'9" | 160 | 479 | 363 | 0.76 | 4
Joe Malone | 5'10" | 150 | 288 | 212 | 0.74 | 5
Bernie Morris | 5'7" | 145 | 239 | 162 | 0.68 | 4
Frank Foyston | 5'9" | 158 | 407 | 233 | 0.57 | 4
Jack Walker | 5'8" | 153 | 504 | 127 | 0.25 | 0
AVERAGE | 5'8.5'' | 165 | 316 | 401 | 1.27 | 3.2

Hyland might have been small, but he appears to have been a scrapper.

 

[BillyShoe1721]

C/LW Fred Stanfield

2x Stanley Cup Champion
5x Top 24 Assists(4, 6, 7, 7, 24)
5x Top 26 Points(9, 12, 15, 24, 26)
4th in Playoff goals, 1972
2x Top 6 Playoff Assists(2, 6)
2x Top 5 Playoff Points(4, 5)
3x Top 13 All Star Voting(6, 8, 13)*

*8th and 13th were with 1 voting point

No one really noticed Fred Stanfield, but he was a top player with the Boston Bruins in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Stanfield was seen as a throw-in in the big Phil Esposito-Pit Martin/Gilles Marotte trade of 1967. Esposito would go on to rewrite the NHL record book, with a lot of help from Bobby Orr.

Stanfield was buried in the Chicago system, toiling behind the likes of Stan Mikita, Bill Hay and Espo. In Boston he would always play second fiddle to Espo, but assumed the number 2 centerman role on a line with Johnny Bucyk and Pie McKenzie.

In Boston Stanfield became a consistent 25 goal, 75 point threat. Though his numbers were dwarfed by several superstars in Boston, Stanfield's contributions were greatly appreciated and recognized.

"Anywhere else, we would really be crowing over what Freddie has been doing," said Boston coach Harry Sinden in the February 1970 edition of Hockey Pictorial magazine.

"In one sense he is the key to our team."

Wow! That's quite the claim given Esposito and Orr's spot in Bruins' lore.

"Orr and Espo are expected to be important key figures," Sinden reasoned. "However, we win many of our games on the work of our second line. Our second line is the best second line in the NHL. Most clubs put their checking line on our big Esposito line and hope they play evenly against the second line with their second line. They figure that their first line may outscore our third or checking trio, but they almost always under-rate Stanfield's muckers."

In addition to supplying a physical element, Stanfield's role was and to distribute the puck to his high scoring linemates.

"It's true we move the puck around pretty well," said Stanfield when describing his line's play. "I can make soft passes or hard ones. With guys who can go like Chief and Pie, I throw it to them real hard. They can reach them, and it gives them more time to make the play. We keep the passes off the ice and that's to our advantage because the puck doesn't get blocked by anybody's stick that way."

Unlike a lot of his Boston teammates, Stanfield did not take a lot of penalties. But does not mean he did not play physically.

"Fred can hit when he was to, but he doesn't look for trouble. This works out pretty well because Pie seems to stir up enough fuss for that line," said Milt Schmidt, Bruins legend and GM.

Stanfield, who had 4 brothers who all play professional hockey, had a reputation as a speedy playmaker, a fine faceoff man and a strong specialty teams player. He showed up to play every night, earning him the nickname Steady Freddy.

He also earned two Stanley Cups with the Bruins, in 1970 and again in 1972.

http://bruinslegends.blogspot.com/2008/10/fred-stanfield.html

In Boston, Stanfield joined Johnny McKenzie and Johnny Bucyk to form what is often considered to have been the best second line in hockey from 1967 to 1972. Known as "Steady Freddie." Stanfield had a reputation as a player who showed up to play every night. His hard work, fine skating and face-off prowess endeared him to the Bruin fans and made an important contribution to the team's two Stanley Cup victories in 1970 and 1972.

http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=14422

The unsung hero is no longer unsung. Boston hockey fans made sure of that, when they made him an overwhelming selection for Channel 38's "Seventh Player Award" . .. Fred Stanfield won a foreign sports car for his selection and also recognition as a major cog in the vaunted Bruins machine. . . But the Bruins brass and teammates have been aware of Fred's capabilities right along . . . Since his acquisition from Chicago, four years ago, he has centered for John Bucyk and John McKenzie. . Playing together consistently, this trio has become one of the most effective in the N.H.L. greatly due to Standfield's playmaking . . .

http://www.jwen.com/hock/bruins/fstan.html

Stanfield, the former Bruin, should help Minnesota the most. A crafty center, he excels as a point man on the power play, which until now has been misnamed in Minnie. "Our power play has been a disaster," Gordon says. "The other clubs never worried about taking penalties against us because they knew we probably wouldn't score. But Stanfield will have the patience to make it work."

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1087923/index.htm

Besides Orr, Boston's main strength will lie at center ice, where the Bruins have the best threesome in hockey—Esposito the goal scorer, Freddy Stanfield the playmaker and Sanderson the agitator.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1084206/3/index.htm

With Orr and Green anchoring the defense, the Bruins easily have the best backline group in the league. They are strong and deep at center, with Esposito, Fred Stanfield, Sanderson and Harrison. "The key position on a team is center," says Esposito, "and I think we've got the best around. When Montreal won all those cups, they were always strong down through center. Now we've got the strength and the balance."

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1082053/4/index.htm

Generally the mark of a solid scoring team is reflected in the caliber of the centers. The Bruins have three outstanding ones—Phil Esposito, Fred Stanfield and Derek Sanderson

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1081848/3/index.htm

They are strong and deep at center, with clever Phil Esposito (35 goals), smooth Fred Stanfield (20)

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1081682/2/index.htm

Of course, the Bruins needed more than pep talks; they needed scorers, big, strong forwards who could shove their way in front of the goal and stay there. So Schmidt gave up his highly rated young defenseman, Gilles Marotte, and a clever center, Pit Martin, to get Esposito, Ken Hodge and Freddie Stanfield from Chicago.

Stanfield has been a superb playmaker for McKenzie and Johnny Bucyk.

With Stanfield's help, Bucyk, a notoriously slow starter, has been so hot that he is second only to Bobby Hull in scoring

While Stanfield sparked one line and Esposito and Hodge joined another...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1080660/3/index.htm

The line got away to a slow start, but they’ve been going great the last few weeks and Freddie has been out most consistent player. That’s all it takes, really, just one guy to get his line going. And a hot line can pick up the whole club.

Freddie’s play might seem more noticeable now but he’s always been a good body and forechecker. He’s been hitting real well lately and it isn’t the penalty kind of hitting, either. What’s he have, four minutes in30 games.

Fred’s problem of not being recognized as a truly outstanding player is because we have superstars on this club. When another center leads the league in scoring, he tends to get the publicity. The same is true on defense. Fred makes his line go. On a real good line like that, all three complement each other. They’ve been playing together for four years now and it’s a matter of instinct knowing what the next man is going to do, where he’s going to be. You just watch Freddie. He’s as good at that as anyone in the league.

-Tom Johnson

… Stanfield scored 135 goals in six seasons with the Bruins. He took a regular shift at center and also played the point on power plays.

-Pittsburgh Post Gazette, May 23, 1973

National Hockey League fans are slowly coming to realize what Boston Bruins fans have knows for a long time – that Fred Stanfield is one whale of a hockey player.

-Bangor Daily News, December 24, 1971

Coach Floyd Smith splits penalty killing chores this season, with Fred Stanfield and Jim Lorentz...

http://books.google.com/books?id=cj...a=X&ei=9RFIT9_IDcbr0gH5odivDg&ved=0CDUQ6AEwAQ

Esposito centered the first line with Ken Hodge and Wayne Cashman, but when they were checked to a standstill, a second line, composed of Bucyk and John "Pie" McKenzie on the wings and centered by Stanfield proved wonderfully effective and productive.

Underrated by the Blackhawks, Stanfield emerged as a crackerjack two-way center...

Pie worked alongside Fred Stanfield, the vastly underrated center, and John Bucyk, a future Hall of Famer.

"By 1970," said McKenzie, "we had been together three years. We got to know each other's moves."

The line was particularly effective during the Bruins' 1970 march to the Stanley Cup.

When it came to winning faceoffs, Esposito, Sanderson, and Stanfield were unbeatable.

http://books.google.com/books?id=Zx...EQ6AEwATgK#v=onepage&q=fred stanfield&f=false

Hodge, Stanfield, and Esposito formed the backbone of the feared Bruins' power play that enabled them to walk away with the Stanley Cup in 1970 and again in 1972.

http://books.google.com/books?id=wp...oQ6AEwCDgK#v=onepage&q=fred stanfield&f=false

Fred Stanfield of the Bruins proved himself Tuesday night but he isn't about to get cocky.

Stanfield, often overshadowed by star teammates Phil Esposito and Bobby Orr, registered the second hat trick of his NHL career as Boston crushed the St. Louis Blues 6-1 in the first game of the best-of-7 Stanley Cup semifinal playoffs.

http://news.google.com/newspapers?i...AIBAJ&pg=6317,1750983&dq=fred+stanfield&hl=en

Veteran center Fred Stanfield, who played a key role in helping Boston to two Stanley Cup championships...

http://news.google.com/newspapers?i...AIBAJ&pg=4969,3503710&dq=fred+stanfield&hl=en

Boston, weary of seeing small forwards get banged around, boasted added muscle up front with the acquisition of Esposito, Hodge, and Stanfield from Chicago.

http://news.google.com/newspapers?i...AIBAJ&pg=3126,4278861&dq=fred+stanfield&hl=en

Fred Stanfield, John Bucyk, and John McKenzie, Boston's crackerjack linemates...

Coach Harry Sinden of Boston, generous in praise of the Bucyk-Stanfield-McKenzie line, crowed: "Stanfield played a whale of a game."

http://news.google.com/newspapers?i...AIBAJ&pg=6106,2775846&dq=fred+stanfield&hl=en

 

[Velociraptor]

Ken Morrow, D

Position: Defenseman
HT/WT: 6'4", 205 lbs
Handedness: Right
Nickname(s): "Wolfman"
Born: October 17th, 1956 in Flint, MI

- 4-time Stanley Cup Champion (1980, 1981, 1982, 1983)
- 1980 Olympic Goal Medallist
- Member of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame (1995)
- scored 17 goals and 88 assists for 105 points in 550 regular season games, adding 309 penalty minutes.
- scored 11 goals and 22 assists for 33 points in 97 playoff games, adding 127 penalty minutes.

Top 10 Finishes:
Plus/Minus - 1x - (7)

Voting Record:

Norris Voting Record:

12th (81-82), 13th (83-84)

Quotes

Legends of Hockey

After Morrow started playing with the Islanders, he quickly proved he was an NHL-caliber player. The team's front office felt so confident with him in the lineup that they traded veterans Bill Harrison and Dave Lewis to the L.A. Kings for Butch Goring, the last player the Isles needed to put together a Cup-winning team.

Morrow was never a great goal scorer. In his best season with the Islanders, he accumulated only 19 points from one goal and 18 assists, but he made a significant contribution to the game in many other ways. In the 1983-84 playoffs, for example, he registered only three points, but two of them were crucial to the team's success. One was the winning goal in overtime that eliminated the New York Rangers in the first round of the playoffs; the other was an assist on the game-winning goal by Mike Bossy in the fourth game of the semifinals against Montreal.

In all, Morrow played 10 seasons in the NHL and was a member of the New York Islanders dynasty teams of 1980 to 1983 that won the Stanley Cup four straight times. Plagued by knee problems late in his career, Morrow was forced into early retirement. After his playing career, Morrow coached with Flint and Kansas City of the International Hockey League.

Greatest Hockey Legends

Following the Olympics [Morrow] joined the Islanders for the rest of the NHL season. It turned out to be an incredible year for Morrow.

After winning a gold medal with the Olympic team, he helped the Islanders capture their first Stanley Cup. He was the first player to win an Olympic gold medal and the Stanley Cup in the same season. In fact, Morrow helped the Islanders capture three more Stanley Cups, four in all, from 1980 to 1983.

A sound defensive defenceman, former Islander Denis Potvin once called Morrow as "steady as the Empire State Building." He never put up big offensive numbers on a team that was stacked with future Hall of Famers like Potvin, Bossy and Trottier, but he seemed to have the uncanny knack of scoring big goals whenever his team needed them.

In fact, Morrow's career numbers only included 17 goals and 105 points in 550 regular season games. But during the post-season, he seemed to thrive as he recorded 11 goals and 33 points in 127 playoff contests. More importantly, three of his post-season goals were overtime goals, his most memorable being the overtime tally that eliminated the New York Rangers during the 1984 playoffs.

Who's Who in Hockey

Ken Morrow, the most underrated Islanders defenseman.

As a traditional defensive defenseman, Ken's goals were unlikely, but timely. Teamed alongside Hall of Famer Denis Potvin, Morrow developed an uncanny knack of scoring game-winning overtime goals.

Morrow patrolled the Long Island blue line for ten years, until the dissipation of the Islanders dynasty. His steadiness was recognized by Islanders brass.

Los Angeles Times - Nov 9, 1983

Ken Morrow, after helping thwart the Philadelphia Flyers on the defensive end for most of the game Tuesday night.

Newsday - Oct 11, 1987

power plays in the first two periods and [Ken Morrow] was among those who did a good job penalty-killing. ...

Toronto Star - Feb 5, 1987

Ken Morrow arrived and was excellent on the penalty-killing team when there was a lead to protect.

 

[jkrx]

Lennart "Lill-Strimma" Svedberg

Position: D
Length: 183 cm or 6'0"
Weight: 76 kg or 168 lbs

SM-gold 1964
WC-silver 1969, 1970
WC-bronze 1965, 1971

Lill-Strimma died one morning after he drove a car after a wet party at his house.*He was returning from Timra, as he had gone to the festival.*His so-called "friends" tried to stop him but failed.*The rest is history, tragic though.*Curiosity in this context is that one of the firemen who were first responders, an old teammate.
Lennart Svedberg, who is his real name, is probably the most complementary hockey player born in Sweden.*Even the Russians invited him to training camp to special study him.*All for to find a way to defeat him.
He made friends with the legendary Russian player Firsov, and they spent time at leisure.*Firsov spoke no English so they could not talk to each other but get drunk together, they could.

I would argue that Lill-strimma was much more dominant then than what Mats Sundin has ever been.*Lill-strimma played defense and took the ice in almost every exchange.*His skating enabled him to keep the puck himself for several minutes.*No one simply had to catch him.
The reason that the Russians invited him was to study him.*All according to Tarasov was their legendary coach.*He visited Little Strimmas tomb when he was a special invited guest when TV puck was held in Timrå.*An emotional experience of those who attended.
Lill-strimma and Firsov was also late for one of the training sessions in when Strimma was there, and as punishment, they were jumping up and down over the rim until they vomited.*It was a bit harder in the old Sovjetuninonen

Lill-strimma was strong as an ox, among other things, he carried the big russian defenseman Ragulin on his shoulders.

Lennart "lill-strimma" Svedberg was the elegant on the ice.*When he took off on his skates, there was always an awe from the crowd because it meant a goal was in the air. The kid was born 29 February 1944.*In the early days he showed that he would be a great hockey player.*A slapshot from the hockey rink at Ostrand, he grew up with his parents.

Lennart was playing on the ice and people shouted with admiration and delight when he got off on his skates.*During the week he was a painter, but in people's memory, he is "Lill-strimma" - hockey legend.*He was an incredibly popular dude, even away from home.*Much thanks to his dazzling technique and his elegant and explosive skating.

During his career he did not score as many goals because he thought it was fun to make a nice pass, or make a nice play.

Always we will remember Little-strimma.*For these things ..

..*He was one of the best hockey player of all time.
..*he was a different "luxury player" who were doing their best in every match.
..*his virtuosic puck treatment and dazzling skating technique could make a boring game interesting and meaningful.
..*His whole casual behavior and refreshing, warm smile made him a respected and popular profile.
..*his always good playing mood rubbed off on teammates.
..*He was a very good sport, both in prosperity and adversity.
..*He never came up with some excuses, even though they would seem to be justified.
..*he respected the sport's rules.

"Lill-strimma" made Premier Division debut as 15-year-old, season 1959-60, in Wifsta / Ostrand (cur Timrå NS), age 17, he was let out of the Tre Kronor.*Immidieate success in his debut match against Czechoslovakia.*Yes they were the beginning of a fabulous career on the hockey ice surface.*Look what he did with:

125 matches in the Three Crowns, 9 of the B-squad, and 9 of the J-Team.
278 premier league matches in Timrå, Mora and Brynäs.
Swedish champion in Brynäs 1964th
World Championship silver medalist in 1969 and 1970, European Championship silver in the same year and the European Championship bronze 1971st
Nominated as the world's best left back in two World Cups, -69 and -70.

Early in his career, he was forward.*The big break came in the season of 1961/62 when he was one of the most thrilling Allsvenskan players.*Among other things, he spun up Leksands best defenseman Ã…ke Larsson significantly.*He did not play the World Cup because he was considered too young.

He was recruited to Grums 1962 where he had his friend Erling Eje Lindström.*When he came Grums for Brynäs he was retrained as defenseman and won the SM-Gold with them 1964.*Then he evolved to become the world's best back in Mora IK where he remained for four seasons.*At the peak of his career turned around Lill-Strimma home to Timrå (1969) and played "at home" to his tragic death.*When the "prodigal son" came home, created an incredible suction within Timrå hockey team.*The audience liked it and enjoyed ...

1967, he was close to sign professional contract with the St. Louis Blues but since he was going to have a baby and get married he decided to stay home.*1968 played "lill-strimma" a pre-season match with CSKA Moscow against Dynamo Moscow, invited by the legendary Anatoly Tarasov.*1969 Lill-strimma attended a training camp with the Detroit Red Wings, and was offered a contract with the club, which he however declined. Supposebly he was the fastest player Gordie Howe had ever seen but I can't find the statement unfortunatly.

Sunday, July 30, 1972 Lill-Strimma died in a car accident in Stravreviken Timrå when he collided with Leif Engvalls orchestra bus.*Rune Wahlman, who drove the band bus on E4'an says:
-I came up with a car with a family in and drove it.*A while later we came to a curve, where we had rock wall on one side and river on the other.*Suddenly I see a car coming towards me in the curve, but in my driveway.*I tried to stay as far out as it was possible without running into the rock wall.*I managed to shout to the others in the bus that "now slamming it" and then they said they just bang.
The collision was violent.

For Eje Lindström was the worst weekend of his life when he was the one who passed the death commandment to his wife and parents.*Besides that, he was the interviews with the press and television.*The entire hockey Sweden buried in grief.*He was 28 years.*In a survey during a match in Timrå it turned out that 3,000 people came to see Lill-strimma play.*The audience was then to around 1,000 people.*In memory of Lennart so we started a memorial fund.*The foundation for the fund came when the Russian national team came to Timrå in March-73 in honor of Lill-strimma.*4000 people showed up to the game. Every year they award a scholarship to the best defenseman in the TV puck from the Fund.*The price is the finest in Swedish youth hockey.

World Championships in Tampere.*Lill-Strimma, the games fastest players, is gearing up for shots.

The artist's death was an enormous sadness for Timra IK, friends and supporters.*Many believe that Timrå IK would have taken SM Gold season 72/73 if Strimma has remained.*Lill-Strimma left a big gap.*Yet we lack this divinely gifted player.*To put it Eje Lindström at one time.
- "Lill-Strimma" was almost perfect as a hockey player.*It felt good to have him on the team.*The other players looked up to him and he was a wonderful driver who could pull up an entire team.*He was positive in nature.*It's hard not to have him among us.

To back this, he became one of the best, perhaps the best defender ever.*The audience's reaction when Lill-strimma started their unreplicaple rushes starting behind his own goal - that we will never forget.*Lennart represented a new deck, the rapid slope that makes raids into the opponents zone.*In August 1963 were invited Lill-strimma as the first western born player to visit Moscow and attend a training camp during Tarasovs management.*Then Strimma and Firsov was late to a training punishment commanded Tarasov them by the Soviet school.*They were jumping up and down over the rim until they vomited.*He loved to meet the Russians.*Lill-Strimma were sent to Soviet clubs for them to learn.

WO IF and Timrå IK as used by Lennart jersey numner 5 we must no longer be used by any player in Timrå IK from the A-team to the smallest toddlers.*1994 opened Lill-Strimma hall of Lennart's 50th birthday had he lived.

Lennart left behind his wife Lisbeth, son Thomas and daughter Puck.*The nick Lill-Strimma came from the fact that Lennart Dad called Big-Strimma.* When his son Thomas was born 1967 in Mora as he was called thus mini-strimma.

 

[Velociraptor]

Bobby Holik, C/LW

Position: Centre/Left Wing
HT/WT: 6'4", 240 lbs
Handedness: Right
Nickname(s): "Herf", "Crash"
Born: January 1st, 1971 in Jihlava, Czech Republic

- 2-time Stanley Cup Champion (1995, 2000)
- Played in NHL All-Star Game two times (1998, 1999)
- Finished 6th in All-Star Voting
- scored 326 goals and 421 assists for 747 points in 1314 regular season games, adding 1423 penalty minutes.
- scored 20 goals and 39 assists for 59 points in 141 playoff games, adding 120 penalty minutes.

Top 10 Finishes:
Game Winning Goals - 2x - (3, 6)

Voting Record

Selke Voting Record:

5th (97-98), 7th (01-02), 9th (00-01), 11th (99-00)

Quotes

When you're that big and strong you don't get hurt too often, he didn't know his own strength. He'd hurt guys in practice. No wonder guys didn't like to play against him.

Legends of Hockey

Hockey may have been in Holik's blood, but he worked hard every step of the way to becoming one of the greatest talents his country had ever known. His father, who could not stand sloppy habits or laziness, was sometimes very tough with him. Whenever young Robert slackened in his duties, his father would take him to a factory gate early in the morning. "If you don't work hard, you'll end up in here," he said. "It is better to make a living doing something you enjoy." That always helped Robert to regain his focus.

Holik gained a reputation for his hard shot and physical style of play. He was also a headstrong player who stopped for no one. Just as Andrea Holik ruled the world's tennis courts in the late 1980s, so the offensive trio of Jaromir Jagr, XXXXXX XXXXXXX and Robert Holik reigned over junior hockey, playing together in the 1990 World Junior Championships. After that tournament all three entered the NHL, but each headed to a different city: XXXXXXX to Calgary, Jagr to Pittsburgh and Holik to Hartford.

Bobby scored 20 goals in each of his first two seasons. In 1992, he was traded to the New Jersey Devils, where he did not ease up one bit. After the Stanley Cup win in 1995 Bobby Holik took a drink of alcohol for the first time in his life.

In 1996-97 and 1997-98 Holik led his team in scoring, netting a career-high 29 goals in the latter season. In 2000, his checking ability was central to New Jersey's success in the Stanley Cup finals, as the club won its second championship.

Greatest Hockey Legends

For a long time I really thought Bobby Holik was underrated.

He was this hulking, 6'3" 220lb shutdown center, a fantastic faceoff man and one of the best defensive forwards in the game, shutting down the likes of Mark Messier and Eric Lindros. He was a serious hitter, applying bone jarring checks at times. He was a bull in a china shop with the puck, able to drive to the net and apply a bullet of a shot. He was a consistent two way player, better than his annual statistics ever suggested. He was a key player for the New Jersey Devils' Stanley Cup runs in 1995 and 2000.

His status as underrated changed greatly in the summer of 2002, when the New York Rangers grossly overpaid for Holik's services, offering him a $45 million contract over 5 years. $9 million, a whopping $6 million a year increase, for Bobby Holik? For a player who relied on Crash Line teammates Mike Peluso and Randy McKay to light a fire under him? For a player who lacked creativity and vision to ever be more than a third or fourth line defensive stop gap? For a player who in his best years scored 25 goals and 60 points? For a blunt and opinionated aging player who once sprained his ankle playing ping pong?

It's funny how money can make you look differently at a player. I certainly would never blame Holik for taking the contract. He likely never had any offer like that one. And he was one of the most important members of a Devils' near-dynasty that also went to game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals in 2001. But try as he might, he looked like a fish out of water after he crossed the Hudson and played for the Rangers. After two seasons he would have his contract bought out.

Holik signed with Atlanta for three seasons, where I think he once again returned to an underrated role. He was captain of the Thrashers in 2007-08. The Thrashers have never been a good situation, but Holik's experience and savvy was appreciated by teammates and coaches.

Holik returned to New Jersey for one final season in 2008-09. The 38 year old was a shadow of his former self, like most aged players. But he went out on his own terms.

John Fischer, Devils Issues

Holik was a player who always "got it" as a Devil. Where the team needed grit, Holik was more than happy to oblige. The guy was as strong as a bull, sometimes to a fault (as we saw this season). When the Devils needed him to shut down a player, Holik did his job and did it well. Anytime the Devils had a crucial defensive zone faceoff and had to protect a lead? Holik often won that big faceoff (and a lot of faceoffs in general), hold possession, and battle like a beast possessed to keep that puck. Holik knew what Devils hockey was all about then, especially in the days of Lemaire and his neutral zone trap.

He was more than a defensive player, he truly was solid in both ends.

Planet Jackson Hole - 31 Jan 2012

...following in the footsteps of another hockey great, Bobby Holik, the former Devils center.

New York Times - May 13, 2001

Of the game-high eight hits that the Devils' Bobby Holik was credited with delivering tonight, at least two were of highlight-reel quality. ...

New York Post - Apr 24, 2002

Nevertheless, [Bobby Holik] most certainly distinguished himself. With Joe Nieuwendyk still less than 100-percent physically, Holik has stepped up as his team's premier pivot. After a cautious opening game in which he was warned to watch himself by referee Mick McGeough on the very first shift, No. 16 has taken the mean out.

Beyond that, though, required to score goals for the lowest- scoring team entering the playoffs - the 1943 Red Wings and 1949 Maple Leafs are the only teams in NHL history to win the Cup as the lowest - scoring playoff entry, and those teams won when only four teams qualified-Holik is doing just that. He scored his third of the series last night, scored in his third straight game, giving the Devils a 1-0 lead at 1:16 by playing a bank shot off the overmatched whisper of Arturs Irbe.

Holik - who caught a [Rod Brind'Amour] stick across the mouth in Game 3 without drawing a penalty for his sacrifice and without histrionics - doled out abuse all night long, a sly stick here, a face-wash there. The Carolinians spent much of the night running after him, much good that did them.

nydailynews.com - May 29, 2001

Bobby Holik, all sinew and steely determination, is never better than when he is given a target. Not the 6x4 goal cage - more like a 6-4 opposing forward. He's the New Jersey Devils' version of the smart bomb.

In the first round of the playoffs, Holik faced off against Rod Brind'Amour, who was Carolina's top center due to the absence of injured Keith Primeau. Brind'Amour was held to a single goal in six games.

Next up was Toronto, in a series the Devils nearly lost until they decided to put Holik against Shayne Corson's line, which had been terrorizing New Jersey's top line centered by Jason Arnott.

 

[Hawkey Town 18]

This is pretty much an exact copy of Dreakmur's bio from last year with the Norris voting corrected...



Hockey's Golden Era

When Boston general managed Lynn Patrick was looking for a successor to tough guy Fern Flaman, he spotted young Ted Green who was playing with the Winnipeg Warriors of the Western Hockey League. In June, 1960 Patrick took the opportunity to draft Green before the Montreal Canadiens and the Bruins had a new leader for their blueline corps.

…

He needed to be physical since the Bruins were not once of the bigger team sin the league. Green forced the opposition to keep their heads up in the Bruins end of the ice.

Through sheer determination Green’s play steadily improved. A good shot blocker, Green was also used as a forward to kill penalties which gave him more confidence. He was effective at carrying the puck and showed he could handle the point position for the Bruins.

Legends of Hockey

In Green, the Bruins got a solid enforcer who provided the club with crease-clearing spine and leadership during the lean years of the early sixties.

Joe Pelletier

Though he was brought in initially for his physicality and intimidation, Green developed into a good NHLer through sheer determination. A monster in his own zone, Green kept the other team honest. A hard hitting and willing fighter with a short fuse, Green became an integral part of the Bruins. An excellent shot blocker, Green saw time as a forward on penalty kills.

Who's Who In Hockey

For almost 8 years, Edward Joseph “Ted†Green epitomized the style of the Boston Bruins, bruising, roughhousing, and intimidating members of the opposing team every time he stepped out for a shift.

The Greatest Players and Moments of the Boston Bruins

Pound for pound, Ted Green was the toughest of the post-World War II Bruins and – with the exception of Eddie Shore – the meanest player to ever don the black, gold, and white.

Milt Schmidt

It’s really rough now with Green out too – especially offensively. They’re two of the best defensemen at getting the puck out of their own zone.

Ted Green

I had one philosophy, and that was this – the corners were mine. Any man who tried to take corner away from me was stealing from me. I get mad when a man tries to steal from me.

One thing in my favor – when you play the way I did then – was reputation. Players on the other team knew I was going to get them. They had to be thinking about it.

Ted Green !!!​

Awards and Accomplishments:
Stanley Cup Champion (1972)
3 x Avco Cup Winner (1973, 1976, 1978)

Second Team All-Star (1969)

2 x All Star (1965, 1969)
Norris voting – 3rd(1969), 7th(1965), 9th(1968)
All-Star voting - 3rd(1969), 6th(1965), 6th(1968), 10th(1966)

Scoring:
Points among Defensemen – 2nd(1965), 2nd(1968), 3rd(1969), 8th(1971)
Goals among Defensemen – 3rd(1965), 3rd(1968), 5th(1966), 7th(1967), 8th(1969)
Assists among Defensemen – 1st(1968), 2nd(1965), 3rd(1969), 6th(1971)

Led WHA Defensemen in goals (1973)

Play-off Points among Defensemen - 2nd(1969)

1965 Coaches’ Poll:
3rd Best Bodychecker

 

[Hawkey Town 18]

Built upon Dreakmur's bio...

Bill Cook

Joe Pelletier

A burly right winger with the desire of Rocket Richard and the physical prowess of Gordie Howe…played a very similar style to that of Gordie Howe - a hard and physically dominating style, overpowering his opponents, going through them instead of around them. But like Gordie he had some great skills as well, especially his nose for the net.

Keith Lenn

He had it all - he was an intelligent hockeyist, charismatic, and a physical force. If he were around for us to see play today we would be in awe of his uncanny stickhandling skills, his "hard and fast" skating, and his fantastic shooting ability. And if you were an opponent of him you surely wouldn't want to get on his bad side for his temper and mean streak were among the most volatile of his era.

Ultimate Hockey

“He was a remarkable blend of brains, beauty and brawn. He was an outstanding stick-handler, a hard and fast skater, and had an incredible shot. He was a huge physical presence with a mean streak.”

Canadian Sports Hall of Fame

Considered by many to be the greatest right winger ever to play the game, he was an undeniably focused and gifted competitor...

Legends of Hockey

“He was a remarkably gifted and rugged competitor who served as the catalyst on the New York Rangers' famous Bread Line”

Frank Boucher

“He's my choice for the best right winger hockey ever knew. He was better than The Rocket and, in my estimation, better than Gordie Howe as well……he had a very hard wrist shot from close in and could score equally well backhand or forehand"

Undrafted Player

Nobody fooled around with him because he was tough - real tough...he was the best (right winger) we ever played against.

Montreal Gazette, 1954

He (Joliat) picked an all star team (at the request of W.A. Howard, a writer for Canadian National Magazine) confined to players who played against him during his 16 years as a professional. He puts Benedict or Gardiner in goal; Shore and Noble on defense; Nighbor at centre; with Cook and Jackson on the wings. It's a well balanced unit.

The Morning Leader – Jan. 26, 1929 (Talking about an All Star team for half-way through the 1928-29 season)

Right wing on the team would be filled by the far-famed Bill Cook, who knows all that’s needed about the game, can adapt himself to a clean or rough game as occasion may call for and is an exponent of combination play at all times.

New York Times – Apr. 4, 1927 (Naming an All-Star Team for the 1926-27 season)

There will be no lack of argument over the leading forwards of the season, but Bill Cook of the Rangers, high scorer of the league, seems to be entitled to first honors.

Charlie Gardiner - Montreal Gazette – Jan. 28, 1942

Bill had a great backhand shot and he scored a lot of goals with it, Gardiner told us. "One of his pet tricks was to fake a shot on one side of the net, but hold the puck and go right across the mouth of the goal and then let fly with that backhand into the other corner. I used to pretend that I had fallen for that fake and then crowd the near side of the net. But before the puck had left Bill's stick on his favorite backhand shot, I'd have swung over to the other side and was ready for it.

Frank Boucher – Meriden Record – Feb. 9, 1962

Boucher tapped for his all-time, all-star team goalie Chuck Gardiner of the Chicago Black Hawks, defensemen Eddie Shore of the Boston Bruins and Ching Johnson of the Rangers, center Frank Nighbor of Ottawa, left winger Aurel Joliat of the Montreal Canadiens and right winger Bill Cook.

Awards and Achievements:
2 x Stanley Cup Champion (1927, 1933)
5 x Stanley Cup Finalist (1927, 1929, 1932 1933, 1937)

New York Times First Team All-Star (1927)
GM’s First Team All-Star (1928)
3 x First Team All-Star (1931, 1932 1933)
Second Team All-Star (1934)

Hart Voting – 2nd(1927), 2nd(1933)

3 x WCHL First Team All-Star (1924, 1925, 1926)


Scoring:
WCHL Points – 1st(1924), 1st(1925), 1st(1926), 7th(1923)
WCHL Goals – 1st(1924), 1st(1926), 4th(1925)
WCHL Assists – 1st(1924), 1st(1925), 2nd(1923), 6th(1926)

NHL Points – 1st(1927), 1st(1933), 4th(1930), 4th(1931), 4th(1932), 7th(1929), 10th(1928)
NHL Goals – 1st(1927), 1st(1932), 1st(1933), 2nd(1931), 5th(1935), 6th(1929), 6th(1930), 10th(1928)
NHL Assists – 3rd(1930), 6th(1933), 8th(1929)

Play-off Points – 2nd(1928), 3rd(1933), 5th(1932), 8th(1934)
Play-off Goals – 2nd(1928), 3rd(1933), 4th(1932), 6th(1931), 8th(1927)
Play-off Assists – 1st(1928), 3rd(1932), 4th(1934), 6th(1933)

Cook's NHL prime was from 1927 to 1935. Here is where he ranks within those years:
3rd in Points
1st in Goals
8th in assists

2nd in Play-off Points
3rd in Play-off Goals
3rd in Play-off Assists


One of the most remarkable things about Bill Cook’s career is that he only joined the NHL after turning 30 years old. By the time he was putting up these numbers, he was already past his prime!

 

[Hedberg]

Dale Hunter

323 G, 697 A, 1020 Pts in 1407 GP
Played in 1997 All-Star Game
Captain of the Washington Capitals 1994-1999
Number Retired by Washington

Capitals Legends

Some people called Dale Hunter the NHL's ultimate warrior. Others considered the loathsome character to be hockey's most hated villain since Bobby Clarke. Love him or hate him, you have to admit he was a vitally integral player.

Hunter retired as the first and only man in NHL history to collect 300 goals, 1,000 points and 3,000 penalty minutes. But while he was a superior defensive player, face-off specialist and offensive sparkplug, it was Hunter's mean-spirited, sometimes dirty play that summed up Hunter best. He was the ultimate team player and leader; a player who played with every last ounce of heart and soul he had; a player who would and did just about anything to win.

The NHL's Lord of Darkness wreaked havoc at any given opportunity.

"I assumed he picked his spots to play the way he does because nobody can play that way all the time," goalie Bill Ranford, both an opponent and teammate, said. "Then I found out he plays that way every game, every rink, against everybody."

In a career of wrong-doings, one incident sticks out more than any other. A frustrated Hunter blindsided NY Islanders captain Pierre Turgeon several moments after Turgeon scored a decisive goal that all but eliminated Hunter's Capitals from the playoffs. The attack came a good 5-7 seconds after the goal as Turgeon was celebrating the goal. Hunter was suspended for the first 21 games, exactly 1/4 of the schedule, in the following season. With fines and lost salary, Hunter lost $150,000.

Ron Wilson

“He was a real warrior,†Wilson said. “I had him the last two years of his career, and the only time he went to the finals.

“At that point in his career, he was kind of a third or fourth liner. Didn’t play that much, but he was a real leader in the room. He had an incredible sense of humour and was a practical joker. He’s a great guy. A very down-to-earth person.†[]

Hockey Draft Central

NHL Records: Most career playoff penalty minutes (729), most games played in playoffs without ever winning the Stanley Cup (186)

Mike Vogel

And so it is with Dale Hunter. He began his career with the Quebec Nordiques and finished it with the Avalanche. But when you think of Dale Hunter, you think of the Washington Capitals. And when you think of the Capitals, you think of Dale Hunter.

Throughout the years, win or lose, regardless of personnel, one thing has remained fairly constant about the Capitals. If you’re the opposing team and you’re going up against the Caps, you know you’re in for a struggle from the opening faceoff to the final horn. That’s how Dale Hunter played it every night—1,407 times over 19 seasons.

“He taught me a lot of things,†says Capitals defenseman Brendan Witt. “He taught me how to play hard and to pick your spots [to make a hit]. And every night he came to play. I really admire that. As a kid I grew up watching him with the Nordiques and the Capitals. I remember the first time I met him, he was on the Stairmaster. He looked like a normal little guy. I thought, ‘He doesn’t look much like a killer, but he’s got the reputation.’ But just to be in his presence; he is a great hockey player with a lot of hockey smarts. He is great for the game. I admire him a lot, he came to play every night and I think he did a lot for this organization.â€

“It was awesome playing with Dale Hunter,†says Steve Konowalchuk, who cut his NHL teeth playing on a line with Hunter and Kelly Miller. “He was such a smart player and he came to play every night. I played seven, eight years with him and I don’t know if I can remember a bad game he had. That’s pretty amazing. Every night he came and played good. That’s what I really learned. Yeah, he had skill and they had talent. But he was mentally ready every game. And that is what I strived to learn from him.â€

When the playoffs rolled around that year, Hunter proved why he was known as “Big Game†Hunter.

Later in his career, Hunter’s playoff exploits were more defensive in nature. He’d shut down the opposing team’s scoring line, kill penalties, goad opponents into taking bad penalties and supply his younger teammates with the wisdom that years of experience had given him.

 

[EagleBelfour]

Floyd James Curry

Nickname: Busher
Height: 5'11''
Weight: 175 lbs
Position: Right Wing, Left Wing
Shoots: Right
Date of Birth: August 11, 1925
Place of Birth: Chapleau , Ontario, Canada
Date of Death: September 16, 2006 (Age: 81)

Memorial Cup Champion (1945)
Memorial Cup Finalist (1944)
Allan Cup Champion (1947)
Stanley Cup Champion (1953, 1956, 1957, 1958)
Stanley Cup Finalist (1951, 1952, 1954, 1955)
Played in NHL All-Star Game (1951, 1952, 1953, 1956, 1957)
Assistant captain

- #68 in the history of the CH in the book Habs Heroes: The 100 Greatest Canadiens Ever

Seasons|GP|G|A|PTS|PIM
11|601|105|99|204|147

Playoffs|GP|G|A|PTS|PIM
11|91|23|17|40|38

Top-10 Playoff Scoring (1st, 6th, 10th, 11th, 12th)
Top-10 Playoff Goalscoring (2nd, 2nd, 4th, 5th)
Top-10 Playoff Assist (4th, 7th)


Top-10 Playoff Goalscorer of the 1950's

Players|GP|G
Bernard Geoffrion|98|51
Maurice Richard|84|48
Ted Lindsay|77|34
Jean Beliveau|55|31
Gordie Howe|63|27
Dickie Moore|87|25
Floyd Curry |89|23
Alex Delvecchio|56|21
Fleming Mackell|71|20
Jerry Toppazzini|40|13

Award Nomination:

Lady Bing Trophy:
1951-52: 5th position (Sid Smith)
1955-56: 2nd position (Earl Reibel) (-56.0%)
1956-57: 5th position (Andy Hebenton)

Curry, known as a defensive specialist, played on some powerhouse Canadiens' teams, which included the likes of Maurice Richard, Doug Harvey, Bernie Geoffrion, Jean Beliveau, and Jacques Plante in goal.

A valued team player and an essential component of several championship teams, Floyd Curry spent a decade playing in the shadows of more celebrated teammates.

A defensive specialist who excelled at blanketing the scoring stars of the day, ''Busher'' Curry was a fixture on the right wing for the next eight years, managing to add at least a dozen goals to his team’s offensive efforts in most seasons.

Neutralizing the top left-wingers in the league without resorting to illegal tactics, the hard-hitting Curry accumulated a mere 147 regular season penalty minutes over the course of his career.

Every succesful Canadiens team had its embarrasement of riches when it came to offensive stars, but there was also a strong defensive conscience and Curry was just that for 10 years. Had the Selke Trophy been in existence in those days, Curry would have been a perennial contender. Despite the fact that he had to check some of the game's biggest stars, Curry was also a very clean player.

But it's interesting to ponder what might have been had Curry not decided to become a defensive player. When Richard was suspended in the playoffs in 1955, Curry moved to his spot on right wing and had a monster post-season, scoring eight-goals and 12 points, including five goals in the Stanley Cup final, as the Canadiens lost to the Red Wings in seven games.

Floyd Curry was known to most as "Busher," a hard working teammate and the best friend you could ever hope for.

Floyd ''Busher'' Curry was a solid, work-manlike winger. One of the lesser lights on the power-packed Montreal Canadiens squad of the mid 1950's, Curry speciality was stopping the opposing teams' big scorers. Busher went about his task without complaint, forsaking the offensive duties and backchecking like a demon to blunt his opposing number. Called a coach's ''dream player'' during his days in the NHL, Busher went on to coach and generally assist in the Habs' system.

Presented by the Canadiens to rugged defensive forward Floyd Curry.

On offensive Canadiens powerhouses, Curry was a brilliant defensive forward.

Quotes:

- ''Floyd loved to talk about that night and it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. I remember he hadn't scored in a long time, then he scored three in front of The Queen. He liked that.'' - Ken Reardon

- ''When I first came out of junior hockey, I was known as a scorer, but when I arrived in Montreal, I knew right away I could not compete with the likes of some of the stars they had there, so I made a conscious effort to change my game to a defensive style.'' - Floyd Curry

- ''He was an honest, hard-working hockey player who'd wear a rut in the ice going up and down his wing. If you had 15 of him, you'd fall asleep watching them play but you need guys like that on your team.'' - Ken Reardon

- ''I wasn't playing any differently, that's for sure, but I was getting on the ice more often'' - Floyd Curry When Richard was suspended in the playoffs in 1955, Curry moved to his spot on right wing and had a monster post-season, scoring eight-goals and 12 points, including five goals in the Stanley Cup final, as the Canadiens lost to the Red Wings in seven games.


Fun and Interesting Facts:

- Curry spent his entire 11-year NHL career with the Canadiens
- In 1950, Floyd Curry played left wing on a line with Elmer Lach and Maurice Richard, replacing Toe Blake
- From 1949 to 1955, Curry played with Kenny Mosdell and Calum Mackay to form the 'Wrecking Line'
- On October 19th, 1951, Curry scored his only hat trick in his career, in front of Princess Elizabeth, months from being crowned queen, and her husband, Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh


Signing, Trades & Injuries:
- On October 18th, 1945, Curry signed as a free agent by Montreal
- On October 29th, 1957, Floyd Curry undergo an operation on his left ankle

Abbreviation:

NHL: National Hockey League
QHL: Quebec Hockey League
SSHL: Saskatchewan Senior Hockey League


Internet Sites:
http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=12391
http://www.sihrhockey.org/member_player_sheet.cfm?player_id=856&CFID=4976859&CFTOKEN=46058421
http://habslegends.blogspot.com/2008/07/floyd-busher-curry.html
http://ourhistory.canadiens.com/player/Floyd-Curry
http://canadiens.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=489215
http://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/pursuit+Heritage+Classic+tickets/3967854/story.html
http://michaeljmorrisreports.blogspot.com/2010/09/floyd-busher-curry-chapleau-born.html

 

[Hawkey Town 18]

Thanks to TheDevilMadeMe's post in the HOH Top 60 Defensemen Project for some of these quotes

Ivan “Ching†Johnson

Stanley Cup: 1928, 1933

Hart Voting: 2nd (1932) , 5th (1928)

All-Star Team
1st Team: 1932, 1933,
2nd Team: 1931, 1934
GM’s Unofficial 1st Team: 1928
Total: 3 First Team, 2 Second Team


Legends of Hockey

It was his physical play and his charismatic leadership that made Ching one of the most valuable rearguards of his time.

During his playing days, Johnson was considered one of the hardest bodycheckers ever to play the game. More significantly, he perfected the technique of nullifying the opposition by clutching and grabbing them as discreetly as possible - a pragmatic defensive strategy for the wily but slow-footed rearguard.

The burly Johnson spent 11 productive years with the Blueshirts and was part of the team's first two Stanley Cup triumphs in 1928 and 1933. Johnson and Abel's blanket defensive coverage was particularly evident during the 1928 finals against the Montreal Maroons, a low-scoring series in which the teams combined to score only 11 goals in five games.

Following the 1931-32 season, Johnson was runner-up to Canadiens superstar Howie Morenz in the voting for the Hart Trophy. The next year he and defense partner Earl Seibert aided the Rangers in their Stanley Cup victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Johnson played his hard-hitting game to perfection during the playoffs and scored the key first goal in the Blueshirts' 2-0 win over Detroit in game one of the semifinals. The Rangers sagged somewhat in the second match but held on for a 4-3 win. Johnson's supreme defensive work was considered to be the key factor in the club's not having to play a third and deciding contest. In the finals, the Rangers' speed was too much for the Maple Leafs. When Toronto did venture into New York territory, Johnson and Seibert controlled the play. Johnson would knock the Maple Leafs forwards off the puck, then send it over to his swifter partner to launch the next counterattack.

New York Evening Post - "Managers Sextet Honors Two Men From Local Squad" - March 24, 1928

Alongside of this Boston Bruin (Shore) is "Smiling Ching" Johnson, one of his deadliest rivals and foes during the competitive season.

Strong, powerful, a real iron man, a fast albeit clumsy skater, daring, a hard shot, a great team man, who can co-operate with his mates or do a solo starring act, according to the demands of the game, Johnson has been the main cog of the New York contenders.

When "Taffy" Abel was disabled and Leo Bourgauit, a sub last winter, was overnight compelled to become a regular, "Ching" was the main bulwark of the Rangers' defense. When his forwards slumped, Johnson became the scoring threat of the Patrickmen. You can't leave him off.

Team MVP
According to the NY Times (accessed via wikipedia), fans voted Ching Johnson the most valuable player for either of the two New York teams in 1927-28 (the year the NHL GMs selected him a 1st Team All Star on the unofficial team).



CHING JOHNSON’S 1931-32 SEASON WAS EXTREMELY IMPRESSIVE

Ching finished 2nd in Hart voting, only 1 point behind Howie Morenz. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...g=5504,3568097

Ching received more total votes for the all-star team than any other player at any position


Saskatoon Star Phoenix, Mar 3, 1932

Massive framed Ching Johnson, who took up hockey as an after-thought, stands out today as the most highly-regarded player in the National Hockey League. In qualifying for a defense position on the Canadian Press All-Star Team, the big guard of the New York Rangers was named oftener on the sports writers' ballots than any other player.
...
Johnson was a football and lacrosse player when he went to France a decade and a half ago, but when he returned from overseas, he sought a thrill in hockey.
...
His chance in the "big time" came with the Rangers in 1926 and he has been a mainstay of the blueshirt defense ever since. He has been a pillar of strength to Lester Patrick's crew in five National league eliminations.

Good-natured Ching is one of the most battle-scarred hockeyists. Seldom does he take advantage of his weight and gigantic strength but he plays with all his fighting hart and seldom comes out of a game without a cut, bruise, or fracture.

Elite Defensively

Originally Posted by pitseleh

Well, I just came across Mackenzie's defenseman article, and this is what he had to say (interestingly, he notes that it's very difficult to compare players from before the forward pass to after it because of the big changes in style of play):

- Eddie Shore and Sprague Cleghorn are the best all around defensemen he has seen. Both were steady blockers, better than average pasers and goal scoring threats every second they were on the ice. He goes on to talk about their glaring weakness as being penalty prone and how it has cost their teams games in the past. He also groups Eddie Gerard with these two, but as a cleaner version of them.

- He calls Hitchman and Ching Johnson the best defensive defensemen of his day. Nels Stewart on Hitchman: "I'd rather carry a puck through a picket fence than try to get past Hitchman". He says that "Johnson broke every rule in the book, using his tremendous strength to hold, maul, and smear up opposing plays." and that he always got away with it. He goes on to say that he never took advantage of his strength in a mean way but "if he did not break every hockey law he at least bent them all considerably".

Originally Posted by Hockey Outsider

Eddie Shore was not even regarded as the best defensive player of his era. Although he was known as a good offensive player, even during his absolute peak (1933), contemporaries thought that there were several other defensemen in the league who were superior defensively (ie King Clancy, Lionel Hitchman, Ching Johnson). Source: Globe & Mail, April 20, 1933

Leadership and Size

Great Defencemen: Stars of Hockey’s Golden Age By Jim Barber

With Johnson, Able, and their blueline backups, the Rangers boasted the largest defense corps in the league, averaging 225 pounds. Johnson was its leader, both for his enthusiasm on the ice and his take-charge, rah-rah manner in the dressing room.

Popular Science – Feb. 1935

The average big-time hockey player weighs about 155 pounds. “Ching†Johnson, defence ace of the Rangers, is an exception, tipping the scales at 210.

Physical Play/Toughness

Great Defencemen: Stars of Hockey’s Golden Age By Jim Barber

Hitting and grinning. Those are two of the things that Ching Johnson was best known for, and he was usually doing both at the same time. Johnson loved action, loved the physicality of the game, the one-on-one battles for supremacy that occurred dozens of time during the game.

Saskatoon Star Phoenix, Mar 3, 1932

Extreme bad luck dogged him during the campaigns of 1928-29 and 1929-30, but he always comes back for more. In the former season he crashed into the board of Montreal forum and fractured and ankle that put him out for the major part of the schedule. The following year he broke his jaw but refused to go down. Rangers were on the threshold of a cup play-down. Big Ching donned a metal chin guard and kept right on playing to take a leading role in the cup games.

Frank Boucher in Who’s Who in Hockey By Stan Fischler, Shirley Fischler

Ching loved to deliver a good hoist early in a game because he knew his victim would probably retaliate, and Ching loved body contact. I remember once against the Maroons, Ching caught Hooley Smith with a terrific check right at the start of the game. Hooley’s stick flew from his hands and disappeared above the rink lights. He was lifted clean off the ice, and seemed to stay suspended five or six feet above the surface for seconds before finally crashing down on his back. No one could accuse Hooley of lacking guts. From then on, whenever he got the puck, he drove straight for Ching, trying to out-match him, but every time Ching flattened poor Hooley. Afterwords, grinning in the shower, Ching said he couldn’t remember a game he’d enjoyed more.

The New York Rangers By John Halligan

Although he finished his career with the hated Americans, Ivan “Ching†Johnson was one of the most beloved of the Original Rangers, a darling with the fans. “Ching, Ching, Chinaman,†they would yell. A fierce open-ice bodychecker, Johnson was injury prone, but he played on anyway. “Hey, it’s what I do,†he would explain. “I recover in the summer.â€

Detroit Red Wings Greatest Moments and Players By Stan Fischler

Like the Rangers’ legendary Ching Johnson, Stewart took a joyous delight in bodychecking

Saskatoon Star – Phoenix – Apr, 12, 1933

Ace Bailey, flattened by Ching Johnson, giant Ranger defenseman, with a fair body check in the second period, had a cartilage in knee torn.

Vancouver Sun – Apr. 2, 1931

Ching Johnson is probably the most talked of player in hockey. He is a veritable dynamo on the ice, carries more scars than the average and is always tearing in for more.

Playoffs

The Montreal Gazette – Apr. 4, 1933

Bulky Ching Johnson, defence star and rated one of the greatest “money†players in the game, had five stitches on his forehead that were required after the stick of Ebbie Goodfellow, Detroit centre, struck him.

Montreal Gazette: 4-6-1928 - Game 1 of the 1928 finals:

The two Cooks, with their flashy style, and the crafty Frank Boucher, continue as prime favorites here. But Ching Johnson, 220 pounder on the Ranger defence, is still the local "hate." Johnson plays a clean, robust game. He received as many spills as he handed out last night, particularly when he ran into Dunc Munro and was crashed to the delight of Maroon devotees.

Montreal Gazette: 4-9-1928 - Game 2 of the 1928 finals:

Montreal fans still hold Ching Johnson, the big Ranger guard, as their chief "hate." But Johnson plays a game that is much more to the book than the cross-checking style of Taffy Abel, who has a hard time keeping his stick down to the proper level.

Montreal Gazette: 4-11-1928 - Game 3 of the 1928 finals:

Red Dutton took the final penalty of the match for chopping at Ching Johnson, Montreal fandom's chief "hate." Dutton objected to Johnson's ubiquitous elbows.
....
The crowd were shrieking for penalties against Ching Johnson, whose style of bringing up the elbow around the face practically every time he bodies an opponent was not to the liking of Maroon supporters.

Nashua Telegraph – Apr. 11, 1932 – talking about the 1932 Stanley Cup Finals

The Toronto Maple Leafs, taken as a whole, the youngest team in the National Hockey League, are the new champions of the hockey world. They won the Stanley Cup, ancient emblem of the title in a way which left no doubt as to their championship ranking. This youthful team trounced the New York Rangers, a team of veterans, in three straight games with a scoring exhibition such as seldom has been seen in a world's championship series. The scores were 6-4, 6-2 and 6-4.

Most of the Rangers had helped win the cup in the 1928 playoffs but the defense contained three "first year" men in Major League hockey and it was here that they developed a weakness. Big Ching Johnson played a great game and Goalie John Roach shone in the final game Saturday night but they could not handle the job alone.

Great Defencemen: Stars of Hockey’s Golden Age By Jim Barber - 1933 Playoffs vs. Detroit

Detroit clamped down on defence, and ramped up the rough play in the second game of the series. Johnson was keeping the Falcons at bay, until Ebbie Goodfellow, whose name belied his violent actions that night, chopped him in the head. While Johnson was in getting repairs, Detroit began to light the goal lamp. Ultimately, Johnson’s return and Dillon’s great offensive play carried the game and the series for New York.

Great Defencemen: Stars of Hockey’s Golden Age By Jim Barber - 1938 Playoffs vs. his former team (NYR)

Throughout the series, Johnson’s solid play belied his advancing years, a fact not lost on Lester Patrick, the man who cut him loose…Patrick shook his hand and complimented Johnson on a great series…

Other
Howie Morenz - Esquire's First Sports Reader - 1945

The toughest men I've encountered are Eddie Shore of Boston and Ching Johnson of the New York Rangers. Both are husky and agile.

Frank Boucher

Boucher tapped for his all-time, all-star team goalie Chuck Gardiner of the Chicago Black Hawks, defensemen Eddie Shore of the Boston Bruins and Ching Johnson of the Rangers, center Frank Nighbor of Ottawa, left winger Aurel Joliat of the Montreal Canadiens and center Bill Cook.

Eddie Shore – Ottawa Citizen – Jan. 30, 1934

What a reception! What great sportsmen those New York hockey fans are! Why, they cheered me to the rafters every time I made a move, and how they yelled when Ching Johnson flattened me!

Saskatoon Star-Phoenix – Oct. 31, 1934

Monday Johnson returned from the United States capital and received an offer of $7,000 per season, which is tops under the National Hockey League salary code.

 

[EagleBelfour]

Milan Nový

Nickname: Balik (Country Bumpkin), Balvan (boulder)
Height: 5'10''
Weight: 196 lbs
Position: Center
Shoots: Left
Date of Birth: September 23rd, 1951
Place of Birth: Kamenne Zehrovice, Czech Republic

Czechoslovakian Extraliga Champion (1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980)
Olympics Silver Medalist (1976)
WEC-A Gold Medalist (1976, 1977)
WEC-A Silver Medalist (1975, 1978, 1979, 1982)
WEC-A Bronze Medalist (1981)
WEC-A First All-Star Team (1976)
WEC-A Czechoslovakia Top-Three Player (1982)
Canada Cup Silver Medalist (1976)
Canada Cup Bronze Medalist (1981)
Czech Golden Stick Trophy (1977, 1981, 1982)
Czechoslovakian Extraliga Scoring Leader (1976, 1977, 1978)
Czech League Goalscoring Leader (1975, 1976, 1977)
Canada Cup All-Star Team (1976)
Canada Cup Czechoslovakia MVP (1976)
Czech League All-Star (1977)
Team Captain (1980-1982)
Czech Hockey Hall of Fame (____)
IIHF Hall of Fame (2012)


Czechoslovakian Elite Hockey League: [1970-to-1982; 1987-to-1989]

Seasons|GP|G|A|PTS|PIM
14|563|446|361|807|218

No Data:
Penalty minutes: 1970-1973; 1976-77; 1978-79

Top-10 Scoring (1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 2nd, 2nd, 2nd, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 9th)
Top-10 Goalscoring (1st, 1st, 1st, 2nd, 2nd, 2nd, 2nd, 2nd, 3rd, 3rd, 7th, 9th)
Top-10 Assist (1st, 1st, 2nd, 2nd, 2nd, 2nd, 5th, 6th, 6th, 9th, 9th)

Playoffs [1971; 1973]
Only a handful of players are recorded in each of those playoff years. In parenthesis, only forwards

Season|GP|G|A|PTS
1971|9|7|2|9

Scoring: T-3rd (Over Jiri Holik, Jaroslav Jirik, Josef Augusta / Under Vaclav Nedomansky, Richard Farda)
Goalscoring: T-1st (Over Richard Farda, Jaroslav Jirik, Josef Augusta, Jiri Holik, Josef Cerny)
Assist: T-6th (Over Jaroslav Jirik / Under Josef Cerny, Richard Farda, Jiri Holik, Vaclav Nedomansky)

Season|GP|G|A|PTS
1973|10|9|3|12

Scoring: 2nd (Over Vladimir Veith, Stanislav Pryl, Jiri Holik, Jiri Novak, Eduard Novak, Vaclav Nedomansky, Vladimir Martinec, Julius Haas, Jaroslav Holik / Under Bohuslav Stastny)
Goalscoring: 1st (Over Bohuslav Stastny, Vladimir Veith, Stanislav Pryl, Jiri Holik, Jiri Novak, Eduard Novak, Vaclav Nedomansky, Vladimir Martinec, Julius Haas, Jaroslav Holik)
Assist: T-6th (Over Vladimir Martinec, Julius Haas / Under Bohuslav Stastny, Vladimir Veith, Stanislav Pryl, Jiri Novak, Vaclav Nedomansky, Jaroslav Holik)


World and European Championship:

Seasons|GP|G|A|PTS|PIM
7|62|32|25|57|24

Years|GP|G|#|A|#|PTS|#|PIM
1974-75|10|4|24th|4|18th|8|17th|4
1975-76|10|9| T-1st |6|10th|15| 4th |4
1976-77|10|6|15th|10| 2nd |16| 3rd |2
1977-78|9|4|24th|0|---|4|54th|2
1978-79|5|0|---|2|43rd|2|81st|4
1980-81|8|6| 5th |2|52nd|8|12th|2
1981-82|10|3|20th|1|55th|4|38th|6

Olympic:

Seasons|GP|G|A|PTS|PIM
2|11|14|10|24|0

Years|GP|G|#|A|#|PTS|#|PIM
1976|5|7| 1st |2|31st|9|6th|0
1980|6|7| 2nd |8| 2nd |15| 1st |0

Canada Cup:

Seasons|GP|G|A|PTS|PIM
2|13|6|5|11|9

Years|GP|G|#|A|#|PTS|#|PIM
1976|7|5| T-1st |3|17th|8| 4th |2
1981|6|1|33rd|2|25th|3|38th|7

National Hockey League: [1982-83]

Seasons|GP|G|A|PTS|PIM
1|73|18|30|48|16

Czechoslovakian Golden Hockey Stick Nomination:

1973: 8th position
1975: 4th position
1976: 3rd position
1977: 1st position
1978: 4th position
1980: 2nd position
1981: 1st position
1982: 1st position

The Greatest Czech gunner, Milan Novy. On a domestic or even a world scale, there has probably never been a better center. His brilliant play determined the outcome of many matches, and he holds his place in history among the rankings of all Czech and Slovaks who ever played hockey. He also put out solid performances in the NHL, in Switzerland, in Austria and in lower-level competition. At least one goal of his career made history. It was scored in the 1976 Canada Cup in a game against the home team. Czechoslovakia won 1-0 and for the first time ever beat the pick of the NHL.

Milan Novy wasn't the kind of hockey player whose personal style captured the imagination of fans. At first glance, he wasn't too tall - rather inconspicuous, in fact - but he was a very tough forward and remarkably efficient. Always at the right place at the right time and very quick to take a shot, he could reap the maximum benefit from almost every opportunity.

The essence of his efficiency on the ice was his sense of timely approach for a pass, for a hard, accurate flick of the wrist, a short swing, and a determination to follow through on a play.

Novy never took shortcuts in training, It was often reported that in addition to regular workouts with the team, he took private lessons. He would go for long jogs with weight on his chest.

Stamina was Milan Novy's other great strength. He earned another record by not missing a single game in the league eight season in a row.

Novy's brilliant play determined the outcome of many matches, and he holds his place in history among the rankings of all Czechs and Slovaks who ever played hockey. He also put in solid performances in the NHL, in Switzerland, in Austria and in lower-level competition. At least one goal of his career made history. It was scored in the 1976 Canada Cup in a game against the home team. Czechoslovakia won 1-0 and for the first time ever beat the pick of the NHL in the country that gave birth to the game of hockey.

Six times he was named the team's most productive player, and three times he won the Golden Stick Award for being the best player in the league. With Kladno, he won the, national title five times. And in 1976 and 1977 he became a world champion.

Stamina was Milan Novy's other great strength. He earned another record by not missing a single game in the league eight seasons in a row.

Milan Nový is regarded as one of the all-time greats in Czech hockey history.

Milan's strength was that he could score from anywhere. He beat the goalies with slapshots, wristshots, high, low or dekes. He also handled the passes delivered to him on the fly better than most players. He was truly a world class player. Some journalists labeled him the best skater outside of the NHL, outranking several Soviet stars of the day.

On skill alone, few could keep up with Milan Novy. He was a star in the Czechoslovak league, played a year in the NHL, and shone brightest on the international stage, winning a medal eight of nine times he played at the Olympics or World Championships.

From his first international tournament in 1975 to his last (1982), Novy failed to win a medal only once, the 1980 Olympics. But at the Lake Placid games, Novy led all scorers with 15 points in just six games.

Novy was one of international hockey's greatest stars between 1975 and 1980. He led Czechoslovakia to two IIHF World Championship gold medals in 1976 and 1977, scoring 15 points (9+6) in the 1976 event and 16 points (7+9) a year later. He was named to the Worlds' All Star Team in 1976.

He led the Czechoslovak league in scoring three times thanks largely to his speed and skill, and excellent shot which he mastered by practicing off ice with a steel puck.

A very well conditioned athlete who was a deadly shooter. He had a very accurate shot and positioned himself very well for scoring chances.

Milan Novy, known as Europe's counterpart to Philadelpia's Bobby Clarke for his hardworking style of play.

-'' Life goal? I have no such thing. Every goal scored was equally important to me.'' - Milan Novy

-''It takes a little bit of everything. Talent, honest preparation, being lucky with teammates. But the most important are the prerequisites. Having a good feel for goals constitutes up to 70% of success. If someone isn't naturally gifted, all the hard training - weeks, months and years - will not help. I learned to skate on a pond, and when I came to Kladno for my first practice, I had no hockey gear and knew no one. But I started firing those goals in right away, even though no one taught me how to do it before. I guess it was in me.'' - Milan Novy


-''If you want to make it to higher levels, you must do something for it. I, too, had moment when I couldn't score. That's when I intensified my training. When you work hard, you overcome crises better and get back into shape faster.'' - Milan Novy

Vladimir Martinec, Vaclav Nedomanaky & Milan Novy comparision:

- It's a summary of the seasons they played all together in the same league. I will do a far more complete overview when writing my complete biography

- I am NOT trying to say that Novy is equal or superior to Nedomansky and Martinec, but to bring a discussion as to how well or bad he compares to these great players

- All three played in the same league in the Czech league from the 1970-71 season to the 1973-74 season (4 total)

Vladimir Martinec: 21 years old to 25 years old - 4th season in the league +
Vaclav Nedomansky: 26 years old to 30 years old - 9th season in the league +
Milan Novy: 19 years old to 23 years old - 1st season in the league +

1970-71 season:
Vladimir Martinec: 21 years old: 6th in scoring, 8th in goals, 4th in assists
Vaclav Nedomansky: 26 years old: 2nd in scoring, 2nd in goals, 9th in assists
Milan Novy: 19 years old: 13th in scoring, 13th in goals, 9th in assists

1971-72 season:
Vladimir Martinec: 22 years old: 3rd in scoring, 4th in goals, 5th in assists
Vaclav Nedomansky: 27 years old: 1st in scoring, 1st in goals, 4th in assists
Milan Novy: 20 years old: 9th in scoring, 9th in scoring, 11th in assists

1972-73 season:
Vladimir Martinec: 23 years old: 1st in scoring, 3rd in goals, 1st in assists
Vaclav Nedomansky: 28 years old: 5th in scoring, 8th in goals, 4th in assists
Milan Novy: 21 years old: 3rd in scoring, 2nd in goals, 11th in assists

1973-74 season:
Vladimir Martinec: 24 years old: 4th in scoring, 3rd in goals, 6th in assists
Vaclav Nedomansky: 29 years old: 1st in scoring, 1st in goals, 1st in assists
Milan Novy: 22 years old: 2nd in scoring, 2nd in goals, 2nd in assists

-------------------------

Career results in the Czechoslovakian league:


Vladimir Martinec: [1967-1981]
Top-5 Scoring (1st, 2nd, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th)
Top-5 Goalscoring (1st, 3rd, 3rd, 4th, 4th)
Top-5 Assist (1st, 1st, 5th, 5th)

Top-5 Czech Hockey Stick (1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 3th, 4th, 5th)

WEC Best Forward (1976)
WEC All-Star (1974, 1975, 1976, 1977)

Vaclav Nedomansky: [1964-1974]
Top-5 Scoring (1st, 1st, 1st, 2nd, 2nd, 3rd, 3rd, 5th, 5th)
Top-5 Goalscoring (1st, 1st, 1st, 2nd, 2nd, 2nd, 2nd, 3rd, 4th)
Top-5 Assist (2nd, 5th)

Top-5 Czech Hockey Stick (3rd, 3rd, 4th, 5th)

WEC Best Forward (1974)
WEC All-Star (1969, 1970, 1974)

Milan Novy: [1970-to-1982]
Top-5 Scoring (1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 2nd, 2nd, 2nd, 2nd, 3rd)
Top-5 Goalscoring (1st, 1st, 1st, 2nd, 2nd, 2nd, 2nd, 2nd, 3rd, 3rd)
Top-5 Assist (1st, 1st, 1st, 2nd, 2nd, 2nd, 5th)

Top-5 Czech Hockey Stick (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 4th)

Canada Cup All-Star Team (1976)


Conclusion:

Now, I am not that biased or foolish enough to call those players out on those statistics alone. We have to put those stats into context, while also giving credit to things I havn't heavily research yet.

All three: Incredible offensive machine, but Nedomansky was renown as someone who never backcheck in Czech, while I found nothing on Novy in the defensive zone. Martinec also was an all offensive guy. Tell me if I'm wrong, but none of them bring intangible worth a big plus in the positive column. Actually, Novy was probably the toughess, and he was someone know as resilient who could take care of himself, but nothing more.

Vladimir Martinec: The first contradiction arise in between the scoring results of Martinec and his placement in the Golden Stick. By a wide margin, Martinec has provide the less spectacular results in the Czech league, compare to both Novy and Nedomansky. So why as he placed that high in the Golden Stick voting? An obvious and a perhaps less unanimous conclusion arise in my opinion. First of all, the obvious conclusion: Martinec was incredible in the World Championship and in the Olympics. In his prime, he was name on the All-Star team four straight years, while winning best forward in 1974. Those performances do count when voting for the best Czech player award (unlike the Hart Trophy, where only the regular season count). He was a clutch player for his national team (even though his overall statistics arn't earth shattering compare to the other two, look at the bottom of my conclusion). The second conclusion, perhaps that will be less openly received, his the fact that Martinec was an extremely flashy and love hockey player. Martinec was the poster boy for his nation, and I think it did play a role in his award recognition. Obviously, the first reason far exceed the importance of the second reason, but you will see where I'm going with this conclusion with Nedomansky and Novy.

Vaclav Nedomansky: An amazing goalscorer, my opinion the best of the three. However, as you can see, I believe Novy was really close to him in term of scoring goals. In term of overall offence, all three are actually pretty close together, all thing consider. Martinec > Nedomansky >> Novy on the international stage, but Novy = Nedomansky > Martinec in the Czech league (look at Novy conclusion for the explanation). In 1972 and 1974, Nedomansky finished 1st in scoring in the Czech league. Golden stick result: 4th and 5th. Even though he was an incredible offensive machine, with great success in the local and international stages. However, he never received a golden stick, or even a very serious nomination, even at his best. Why? It's difficult to comprehend, but I return again to my second conclusion in the Martinec bio: Nedomansky always been a loner on and off the ice. Never the one to talk loudly. I may be stretching the reality, and I hate to give too much credit to a guy feeling, but I really can't figure out those Golden Stick results in a way that statistics would prove them completely correct.

Another thing is to give credit for his career outside Czechoslovakia:

WHA Scoring: 12th, 18th, 3Xst
NHL Scoring: 3Xst, 3Xst
WHA Most Gentlemanly Player (1976)

Just how much does those results affect positively Nedomansky overall career? It sure is a positive, and showed that he could adapt to the NA style of hockey. However, he didn't set the WHA or the NHL on fire. It's a small plus, but his legend lays in his country.

Milan Novy: Surprisingly (well, I was surprise!), Novy did incredibly well in the Czech league. Statistics alone without analyzing them would give Novy the edge over Nedomansky and the greater edge over Martinec. However, I feel I need to give Nedomansky some credit to get all those results during the shorter period of the two. However, Novy was incredible all the way to his last few season in the Czech league. 1980: 2nd in scoring over the Stastny, Martinec and at least five players that will be selected. 1981: 1st in scoring over Martinec, and at least 3 players that's going to get picked. 1982: 1st in scoring over four players that will be selected. Was the mid-to-late 1960's (where Nedomansky got a part of his great results) superior in term of elite players, than the early 1980's? I think the forward corp are about equal, but both Pospisil and Suchy were there. Overall, perhaps I slightly prefer Nedomansky to Novy in the Czech league, but it is VERY close. Another think to add: with those results, his Golden Stick results are kinda underwhelming ... but Novy was known to have a style of play that was not catching attention ... I'm just saying!

Internationally, Novy is behind both Martinec and Nedomansky, and didn't received the awards both of them got. However, Novy was still a very important part of those teams and his offensive results are not far behind when compare to both of them:

WEC & Olympics:
Martinec: 134GP, 124PTS (0.925PPG)
Nedomansky: 124GP, 142PTS (1.145GGP)
Novy: 105GP, 113PTS (1.076GGP)

THE BIGGER CONCLUSION

At the end, I believe Nedomansky and Martinec are extremely close together, but giving a small edge to Nedomansky. While Martinec received better awards on the international stage, Nedomansky isn't far behind. Nedomansky czech league results, adding his results on the North American soil, give him the edge over Martinec. In my book, Novy is the third player on this list, mostly because he didn't receive that much awards on the international stage. However, Novy was definitely just as offensively talented as those two.

Vaclav Nedomansky: 171st overall
Vladimir Martinec: 197th overall
Milan Novy: 371st overall

I think I've proved clearly that Novy shouldn't be taken 200 picks after Nedomansky and 180 pick after Martinec. I actually prove that the difference isn't even close to be those numbers. I think Novy one of the better value of the draft, and an invaluable part of my team. Milan Novy should be taken at the very least a few rounds earlier.

Signing, Trades & Injuries:
- Novy was selected 58th overall by Washington Capitals in NHL Entry Draft in 1982


Fun & Interesting Facts:
- Novy studied law at Karlova University in Prague
- In 1976-77, Novy scored 59 goals in 44 games playing on a line with Eduard Novak and Lubomir Bauer
- Buffalo GM Scotty Bowman signed Novy early in 1982, when Czech authorities indicated he would be available after that season. Before the 1982 draft, new Capitals GM David Poile traded two picks in exchange for Alan Haworth and the rights to draft Novy
- In June 1983, Novy was released by Washington after having played only one season, because he had difficulty adjusting to the NHL style of play and wanted to continue his career back in Europe.
- In his last season in the Czech league, Novy played on a line with 16 years old Jaromir Jagr
- Novy was Kladno team secretary for seven years after his retirement
- Novy was ranked the #2 European player of all-time behind Vladislav Tretiak in a pre-draft poll of European journalists
- He made several comebacks in the Czech and Slovakian Extraliga between 1997 and 2003 and played his last league game at the age of 52 years


Miscellaneous:
- Milan Novy was simultaneously a rookie and the oldest player on the Washington Capitals in 1982
- Novy spoke no English when he arrived in North America and had to do all of his interviews through an interpreter
- Before the 1981-82 season, he left for the NHL, where he played for the Washington Capitals. The number 6 he usually wore on his jersey was already taken. At first he wore number 26 and then 66, later made famous by Mario Lemieux. ''Originally, I wanted it right away. But at the time only true stars could afford to have their way. In the first match, however, I scored and got two assists. Before the next match I came to the cabin and was surprised. Apparently the club management wanted to show their appreciation of my efforts.''
- Novy now work in the cosmetic business

Novák, Eduard: Played 16 seasons and 560 league games in Czechoslovakia (306 goals). He was primarily a finisher. He had a very quick release of his shot. Worked well with Milan Nový. Novy played on the same line as Martinec numerous time in the WEC-A.

Abbreviation:
IIHF: International Ice Hockey Federation
WEC-A: World and European Championship - Pool A


Youtube:


Famous Milan Novy goal against Canada in the Canada Cup 1976


Internet Sites:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milan_Nový
http://www.sihrhockey.org/member_player_sheet.cfm?player_id=2819
http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=13865
http://internationalhockeylegends.blogspot.com/2006/09/milan-novy.html
http://www.zlatahokejka2009.cz/historie?rubrid=39
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=36252
http://www.hockeydraftcentral.com/1982/82058.html
http://www.azhockey.com/No.htm#Milan Novy
http://www.iihf.com/home-of-hockey/news/iihf-hof-2012.html
http://caps-memories.blogspot.com/2007_11_01_archive.html

Special Thank You: Dreakmur

 

[EagleBelfour]

Valeri Vasiliev

Nickname:
Height: 5'11''
Weight: 187 lbs
Position: Defense
Shoots: Left
Date of Birth: August 3rd, 1949
Place of Birth: Nizny Novgorod, Russia, USSR


U19 EJC Best Defenseman (1968)
Soviet Best Defenceman (1975, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1981)
Soviet Second Best Defenceman (1973, 1974, 1978)
WEC-A Gold Medalist (1970, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982)
WEC-A Silver Medalist (1972, 1976)
WEC-A Bronze Medalist (1976)
WEC-A Best Defenseman (1973, 1977, 1979)
WEC-A First All-Star Team (1974, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1981)
Olympic Silver Medalist (1980)
Olympic Gold Medalist (1972, 1976)
Olympic Silver Medalist (1980)
Canada Cup Gold Medal (1981)
National Team Captain (____)
Merited Sports Master (USSR Hall of Fame) (1973)
Order of the Red Banner of Labour (1978)
IIHF Hall of Fame (1998)

Seasons|GP|G|A|PTS|PIM
18|618|71|118|189|494

-Very incomplete statistics from 1966 to 1970. Will only be writing down the 'top stats' from the start of the 1970-71 season
'*' - Incomplete penalty minutes stats, 1970-71 season

Top-10 Assist (11th, 12th)
Top-10 Penalty minutes (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th*)

Top-5 Scoring Among Defenceman (1st, 2nd)
Top-5 Assist Among Defenceman (1st, 1st, 2nd, 5th)
Top-5 Penalty minutes Among Defenceman (1st, 1st, 2nd, 3rd*)


World and European Championship & Olympic:

Seasons|GP|G|A|PTS|PIM
14|115|18|34|52|54

Top-10 Assist (4th, 8th)
Top-10 Penalty minutes (3rd)

Top-5 Scoring Among Defenceman (1st, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 5th)
Top-5 Goalscoring Among Defenceman (1st, 3rd, 3rd, 3rd, 4th, 4th)
Top-5 Assist Among Defenceman (1st, 3rd, 4th, 4th, 5th)
Top-5 Penalty minutes Among Defenceman (2nd)


Summit Series & Challenge Cup:

Seasons|GP|G|A|PTS|PIM
3|17|4|6|10|15

'*' Among his teammates, 1974 Summit Series
'**' Single penalty, Challenge Cup 1979

Top-10 Scoring (2nd)
Top-10 Assist (1st)
Top-10 Penalty minutes (1st**, 3rd)

Top-5 Scoring Among Defenceman (1st, 1st*, 4th)
Top-5 Goalscoring Among Defenceman (1st*, 1st)
Top-5 Assist Among Defenceman (1st, 3rd*, 5th)
Top-5 Penalty minutes Among Defenceman (1st*, 1st**, 4th)


Canada Cup:

Seasons|GP|G|A|PTS|PIM
2|11|0|4|4|10

Awards Nomination:

Russian Most Valuable Player

Seasons|Ranking
1972-73|5th
1973-74|3rd
1974-75|6th
1975-76|12th
1976-77|7th
1977-78|14th
1979-80|4th

European Golden Stick

Seasons|Ranking
1979-80|3rd
1980-81|8th
1981-82|8th

Professional Career:

As the defensive team, Dynamo provided the Soviet nationals with outstanding rearguards. [...] Vasiliev, a good-mood guy in the dressing room, was more known for his fearless and punishing use of his body. When playing Dynamo, Tarasov always sought to put Kharlamov and Firsov out when Vasiliev wasn't there.

In the 1972 Summit Series, there were moments when it appeared to fans of the Soviet national team that the NHL squad possessed total physical superiority. It even looked for a while as if the Soviet hockey players would be literally smashed into pieces. But there was always some relief when Valeri Vasiliev stepped into the ice. While his teammates were afraid to take their adversaries on in a physical contest, let alone get into fights, Vasiliev had no such qualms.

A trait particular to Vasiliev yet unnoticed by most fans was once pointed out by Anatoli Tarasov. While skating, he had an unusual way of propelling himself down the ice. He could really turn on the speed without lifting his skates, and it was this that gave him his remarkable stability on ice. It is hard to remember anyone ever knocking Vasiliev of his feet.

It is said that if Vasiliev hadn't entered the world of hockey, where the roles of each participant are clearly defined, he might have been quite comfortable as a boxer or a bouncer, since he had all the makings. From everything he'd heard about the first legendary Russian defensemen, Ivan Tregubov and Nikolai Sologubov, Vasiliev chose to remember only that Sologubov was unusually spiteful. He never forgave anyone even the slightest offense and relished making his opponents quiver.

Vasiliev joined Dynamo Moscow, a team known for its highly restrained tempers. In the very beginning, he looked like an overambitious and somewhat obnoxious loner. Beside his 'measure of physical persuasion', as he liked to call them, Vasiliev was quite fond of demonstrating his speed-skating prowess. [...] Davydov put a lot of effort into changing Vasiliev's way of thinking and taught him the ABC's of Dynamo's science of playing hockey.

Strongman Vasiliev eventually transformed into a refined tactician. He was able to determine quite well when to get physical with his adversary and when to concentrate more on the puck, when to forecheck aggresively and perhaps even con his rival into skating alongside him for a while until the right time came to smah him into the boards and when to recognize an opportunity to steal the puck using nothing but his stick. Still, Vasiliev truly enjoyed making his opponents feel like rabbits facing down a boa constrictor. It was a tactic at which he was especially adept when a superior number of opponent raided his team's rear.

Vasiliev learned to switch off his anger and even his temper to such an extent that duting a game he was able to strike up the most unexpected conversations with his opponent or with the referee.

Considered by many to be the toughest and most physical defenseman in Russian hockey history, Valeri Vasiliev was a punishing hitter who loved the physical play. Valeri reminded people of Hall of Famer Tim Horton.

He didn't have the offensive flair like Alexei Kasatonov or Vyacheslav Fetisov but was better defensively. Opponents hated to play against him because it could be painful. As a surprise to many opponents Valeri was only 6'0" and 190 Ibs but played like a much bigger player. He put several opponents on the injury list during his career.

Long time Soviet observers talk about a young and over rambunctious Vasiliev who enjoyed the physical game far too much for the Soviet theory of hockey. It was veteran defenseman Vitaly Davydov who took the short-tempered Vasiliev under his wing and turned him into not just a refined tactician, but one of the greatest defensemen in the world.

Valeri was a born leader and was a longtime captain of the national team.

Yet he never experienced a Russian league championship. He was one of very few players on the Soviet national team who never played for the Red Army team CSKA. The Red Army team dominated the home league because it was essentially comprised of the national team. Only a few players like Vasiliev were brought in to join those players for the national team.

Because of his physical style he loved to play against NHL opposition. He thrived in that environment, and because of that the Russian Strongman was one early Russian player who likely would have excelled in the NHL.

He played in the 1972 Summit Series as well as the 1979 Challenge Cup. Valeri had a big part in neutralizing Wayne Gretzky, Guy Lafleur, Marcel Dionne and the other Canadian superstars in the 1981 Canada Cup final. That was the only year the Soviets won the Canada Cup. Vasliev, as team captain, accepted the famous trophy.

Vasiliev was also a very efficient and speedy skater, despite looking quite awkward. He had an unusual way of propelling himself down the ice. He did not lift his skates off the ice while rapidly accelerating. This allowed him incredible stability. He was almost impossible to knock him off his feet.

Valeri has never been replaced on the national team by someone who could match his physical play and toughness. It's an element that has been sorely missed on the Russian national team over the years.

Valeri Vasiliev was a slick skater and passer, but also known for his physical play, which was sometimes frowned upon back in the Russian leagues. That opinion seemed to change after 1972.

Many experts on Soviet hockey would name Valery Vasiliev as one of the most successful Russian players in the history of the game. Born in Gorky (Nizny Novgorod), Valery was brought to Dynamo Moscow in 1967 for his promising results in the junior teams. The young prospect impressed Moscow recruiters with his strength, skating skills and passing. Like his teammate Alexander Maltsev, Vasiliev spent his hockey career with Dynamo Moscow and, though he received plenty of gold medals and awards on the international level, he wasn’t able to capture gold in the USSR Championship. Vasiliev established himself as a flashy blueliner that loved to play physical game with effective and seemingly effortless bodychecking and impressive scoring results.

Valeri Vasiliev was a captain and defensive cornerstone of the great Soviet National Teams of the 1970s.

Quotes:

- ''At first, it took practically nothing to knock me off kilter. If anyone clipped me sneakily, I had only one thing on my mind - how to get even with this guy. He was the only one I saw on the ice, and I would rush to nail him, putting all I had into a bodycheck. But at the same moment I found out that he passed the puck away long ago and that myself was a long distance away from the main events that were unfolding in front of our goal. That happened time and again, until I finally realized that a defenseman was obliged to keep his cool. Gradually, I learned how to control myself and useless passions very rarely got out of my control.'' - Valeri Vasiliev

- ''I was even very much attracted by the possibility of wrecking havoc of the enemy's rear. I could see the opposing team panicked when I joined an assault to the goal.'' - Valeri Vasiliev

- ''Although I may seem to lack humility, I think that as of now, the Canadians know that the Soviets can hit just as hard as them.'' - Valeri Vasiliev, after the 1972 Summit Series

- ''We knew that Vasiliev was a rough and tough player. he had been criticized by the media for some 'dirty tricks. But comparing him with Canadian players, he looked like one of the cleanest hitters in the world.'' - Yuri Vanjat, Russian sports writer

He also said the dressing-room leadership of retired captain Boris Mikhailov has been difficult to replace, although defenceman Valery Vasiliev has stepped into the role of enforcer of discipline and dedication."
- Tretiak quote from article in the Calgary Herald, Sept. 3, 1981

"We have seen others return like Valery Vasiliev. The great Soviet defenceman was dropped from the team, but came back for the '81 Canada Cup, playing with a broken nose, crushed fingers and cracked ankle bone."
- Edmonton Journal, Aug. 28, 1984

"He called goalie Vladislav Tretiak one of the best, praised the play of Boris Mikhailov, XXXXXXXXXX, and Valeri Vasiliev, among others, as top pro quality."
- Rod Gilbert quote from article in The Press-Courier, Feb. 20, 1980

Fun & Interesting Facts:
- Vasiliev was a member of the "super five" together with his partner on the blue line Vladimir Lutchenko and behind the troika of Kharlamov-Petrov-Mikhailov, the predecessors of the Makarov-Larionov-Krutov unit with Kasatonov and Fetisov.
- Vasliev 618 games in the Soviet league is still a league record
- Both Yuri Liapkin and Vasiliev were on the ice when Henderson scored "The Goal"


Abbreviation:
IIHF: International Ice Hockey Federation
WEC-A: World and European Championship - Pool A


Youtube:

10 minutes of Valeri Vasiliev Highlights

Valeri Vasiliev profile

Valeri Vasiliev hit on Bobby Clarke

Valeri Vasiliev hit on Dennis Maruk


Internet Sites:
http://www.sihrhockey.org/member_player_sheet.cfm?player_id=45698&mode=2
http://internationalhockeylegends.blogspot.com/2009/05/valeri-vasiliev.html
http://www.chidlovski.net/1972/h_playersru.asp?fname=Valery&lname=Vasiliev
http://eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=21832
http://www.hhof.com/htmlTimeCapsule/t7gp12.shtml
http://www.chidlovski.net/1954/54_player_info.asp?p_id=v002


Special Thank You: BiLLY_ShOE1721, Hawkey Town 18

 

[DaveG]

C Dale Hawerchuk

Points Finishes:
1409 points (518G, 891A) in 1188 career regular season games
99 points (30G, 69A) in 97 career playoff games
11 points (6G, 5A) in 17 career Canada Cup games
4 top 10 finishes in points (3, 4, 7, 9) - 18th all time
5 top 10 finishes in assists (4, 4, 5, 6, 8) - 20th all time
3 top 10 finishes in goals (7, 7, 10) - 34th all time

Awards Voting:
1982 Calder Trophy Winner
All Star History: 2 (Gretzky), 3 (Gretzky, Lemieux), 6, 6, 10
Hart Trophy History: 2 (Gretzky), 5, 6, 7

Articles:

http://winnipegjetslegends.blogspot.com/2006/08/dale-hawerchuk_29.html

Hawerchuk was the Winnipeg Jets’ first round choice (first overall) in the 1981 Entry Draft. He made an immediate impression with the Jets as he was the first NHL rookie to record 40 goals and 100 points in the same season finishing with 45 goals and 103 points in 1981-82. Following the season, he won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL Rookie of the Year, beating out a great young goalie in Edmonton named Grant Fuhr.

In nine seasons with Winnipeg, Hawerchuk established himself as one of the NHL’s premier forwards. He led the team in scoring in each of his nine years in Winnipeg and broke the 100-point barrier six times. Seven times he scored more than 40 goals. During the 1984-85 season, he established career highs in goals (53) and points (130) while finishing second in the voting for the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s Most Valuable Player.

Hawerchuk was a joy to watch. He was an excellent though not smooth skater, deceptively fast and blessed with great lateral agility. He had the rare ability to handle the puck and create plays even at top speed. A tremendous one on one player, Hawerchuk learned not to over handle the puck and became a great playmaker as well as a goal scorer, particularly on the power play.

He represented the NHL All Stars at Rendez Vous 1987 and most importantly was a big part of two Canada Cup championship teams - in 1987 and 1991. Dale's role in 1987 in particular is looked upon as one of the greatest examples of gamesmanship in hockey history. Dale was a high scoring superstar in the NHL, but at this level he graciously accepted a lesser role and became more of a gritty checker. That selflessness played a big role in Canada's victories, and in the maturing of Dale Hawerchuk into a complete hockey player.

Dale played in his first and only Stanley Cup final in 1997, yet he and his Philadelphia Flyer's came up short against the Red Wings. Dale played admirably in that series, and you couldn't help but route for him even if you weren't a Flyers fan.

http://www.legendsofhockey.net/Lege...er.jsp?mem=p200103&type=Player&page=bio&list=

Dale Hawerchuk was born on April 4, 1963, in the Rexdale area of Toronto. At an extremely early age his parents, Ed and Eleanor, moved the family to Oshawa. Dale received his first pair of skates at age two and, as his father put it, "He was skating before he could walk." Beginning competitive hockey at age four, Hawerchuk demonstrated superior skills almost immediately. At a Peewee tournament in Montreal, he scored all eight goals during an 8-1 victory in the finals, smashing Guy Lafleur's long-held record. By age 15, the famed Oshawa Generals offered him a tryout. He didn't make the club, but the Generals tried to hide him in their local Junior 'B' club, a plan that didn't work.

Based on their last place overall finish, the Winnipeg Jets earned the right to select first at the 1981 Entry Draft. John Ferguson made quite clear to teams around the league who their choice was going to be. Two months after the draft, on August 13, 1981 while the Jets were celebrating the club's tenth anniversary at the corner of Portage & Main Streets, Hawerchuk was introduced to Winnipeg fans. He was driven to the celebration in a Brinks truck, signed his first pro contract, and was handed jersey #10, all with the Mayor and members of Provincial Government present. The pressure was now on for him to produce.

At age 18, Hawerchuk took Winnipeg and the NHL by storm, smashing team records along the way. By season's end, "Ducky" as he was called by teammates, had led the Jets to the largest single season turn-around by one team in NHL history, a 48-point improvement. He shattered 17 club records in the process and became the youngest NHL player in history to reach the 100-point plateau, finishing with 103 points, the second best total by a rookie in NHL history. For his efforts, he captured the Calder Memorial Trophy as Rookie-of-the-Year -- the youngest to win that award -- and played in his first All-Star Game. Hawerchuk was now the darling of Winnipeg and was showered with media attention.

Admittedly a shy, reserved young man, Hawerchuk moved to a ranch outside the city limits to get away from the constant attention; however, his play would continue to attract notice. Other than a slight slump during his sophomore season in which he recorded 91 points, he reach the 100-point mark for five consecutive years, including a career-high 53 goals and 130 points in 1984-85, becoming the third youngest in NHL history to score 50 goals in a season. Goal Magazine referred to him as, "Mini-Gretzky," as he was named a Second Team All-Star behind #99 himself and was runner-up for the Hart Trophy. By the 1989-90 season, after three more All-Star Game appearances and Rendez-vous '87, Hawerchuk had re-written the Jets record book.

Throughout his career, Hawerchuk was the consummate Canadian, always answering the call to international play when asked upon. Following a disappointing first round exit from the playoffs during his first year in Winnipeg, he met up with Canada at the 1982 World Championships winning a bronze medal. He also joined Canada in 1986 and 1989, winning another bronze and a silver medal, respectively. While perhaps his biggest hockey disappointment was not being invited to the 1984 Canada Cup training camp, his greatest hockey thrill (along with the Memorial Cup wins) was playing for Team Canada at the 1987 tournament. Hawerchuk played a checking role on the team behind Gretzky, Lemieux, and Messier, yet was instrumental in their success, winning the face-off that led to Canada's second-most famous goal. He was again a key cog in Canada's 1991 victory, moving to centre following an injury to Wayne Gretzky.

http://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/16/sports/canada-cup-canada-beats-soviet-for-title.html?src=pm

Canada's checkers had kept the fast-skating Soviet team bottled up, preventing the Russians from getting a good scoring opportunity at the Canadian goaltender, Grant Fuhr, until Semak's goal.

While Canada's big scorers, Lemieux and Gretzky, were being held in check, Brent Sutter, Brian Propp, Dale Hawerchuk, Rick Tocchet, and Murphy did the damage.

Hockey Hall of Fame Video:

 

[JFA87-66-99]

Newsy Lalonde, C

- Member of the HHOF
- 1 Stanley Cup

Note that all single asterisks represent ties.

IHL Scoring
Goals: 5
Points: 8*

OPHL Scoring (no assists recorded)
Points: 1, 2*

PCHA/NHA Scoring
Goals: 1, 1, 1***, 4, 4, 6*, 10
Assists: 5*, 8, 9*, 10**
Points: 1, 1***, 3, 3*, 4, 5, 10

** 8-way tie with 3 assists, leader had 5.
*** Only year of his PCHA career, no assists recorded.

WCHL Scoring
Goals: 1
Assists: 6*
Points: 4, 10*

NHL Scoring
Goals: 1, 2, 3, 4
Assists: 1, 2, 6, 10
Points: 1, 1, 2, 4

Overall, his scoring looks like this:

Goals: 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2*, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 6*, 10
Assists: 1, 2, 5*, 6, 6*, 8, 9*, 10, 10*
Points: 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2*, 3, 3*, 4, 4, 4, 5, 8*, 10, 10*

It looks very obscene and intimidating, but remember that most (all?) of this was in pre-merger hockey. I think the IHL and OPHL scoring might have been single league stuff that can be taken literally, but I know for sure that at least the NHA/PCHA/NHL scoring was pre-merger. I'm hoping seventies can make a clearer picture of this, if he has time.

Additionally, it's worth noting that while Lalonde's bias is clearly for goal scoring, he's certainly not devoid of playmaking ability.

Additional Scoring
X-Games: 10 points in 4 games.
X-Games Pr: 3 points in 1 game.
Stanley Cup: 14 points in 14 games.
NHL Playoffs: 19 points in 7 games, 2 playoffs total where he went 1st in goals twice, assists once and points twice.

Note that the X-Games were competitive exhibition games, so they are worth looking at.

From this site:

The goal of these matches was to prove that PCHA teams were worthy aspirants as challengers for the Stanley Cup

On to the good stuff!

There was no official NHL trophies being awarded during Lalonde's career, but Ultimate Hockey gave him 6 Retro Harts: 1908 (OPHL), 1912 (PCHA), 1914 (NHA), 1916 (NHA), 1919 (NHL), 1923 (WCHL).

6 Retro Harts in 5 different leagues IS something worth noting, I think.

He's also got these All-Star team finishes:

OPHL: 1st (1908)
PCHA: 1st (1912)
NHA: 1st (1914)
NHL: 1st (1919, 1921)
WCHL: 1924

Legends of Hockey

A native of Cornwall, Ontario, Lalonde earned his nickname by working in a local newsprint plant as a youth. He excelled at his two chosen sports and made his debut in organized hockey with Cornwall in 1905. This squad was known as the "Sweepers" because the players cleared the ice in lieu of renting it. Lalonde next moved to Woodstock, in southwestern Ontario, where his outstanding play at center caught the attention of several scouts.

In 1907 Lalonde joined the Toronto club of the newly formed Ontario Professional Hockey League. This was where he first gained wide attention by winning the scoring race with 29 goals in only nine matches.

Lalonde played a second year in Toronto before moving closer to his roots to suit up for the newly formed Montreal Canadiens National Hockey Association franchise in 1910. Partway through the season he was traded to the Renfrew Millionaires, but this only enhanced his performance. On March 11, 1910, he scored nine goals in one game, an NHA record that was never beaten and only equaled by ***** *****. He also won the league's inaugural scoring title.

In 1911-12, Lalonde headed west to play with the Vancouver Millionaires of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association, where he led the league with 27 goals. The next year he returned to the Canadiens and won another NHA scoring championship. His offensive gifts were a significant factor behind the franchise's first Stanley Cup title in 1915-16.

Lalonde Family Website

Among the descendants of Jean De Lalonde is one of the greatest athletes of Canada. He played both hockey and lacrosse. He is recognized by the Hockey Hall of Fame as the dominant player of hockey's first quarter century. In 1950 he was named Canada's outstanding lacrosse player of the half century. In that same year he was elected to Hockey's Hall of Fame. In the history of the Montreal Canadiens there has always been one dominant player who led the team. Newsy was the first of those dominant players who led the way for the likes of, Howie Morenz, Maurice Richard, Jean Beliveau and Guy Lafleur.

Ultimate Hockey

Best Sniper (1910's)
Best Instincts (1910's)

Although Newsy has been remembered largely for his scoring prowess, he was one of the roughest men ever to play the game.

Edouard Cyril "Newsy" Lalonde was, simply, the greatest hockey player of his time. This brilliant goal-scorer, who once potted nine in a single outing, earned his famous nickname as a cub reporter and printer's apprentice for the Cornwall Free Press. Drawing on a fine blend of grit and glitter, he went on to become hockey's brightest luminary. ...

... Lalonde was the complete package: he could skate, shoot, stick handle, and pass expertly. He also was a skilled fighter with a volcanic temper. ... Many of his "bad" contemporaries - *** ****, *** *******, ***** ******, ******* ******** - bore long-lasting scars from their run-ins with Lalonde.

****** *******, who was playing professional hockey when Lalonde first came up, commented on the Frenchman's ability:"Lalonde had an absolutely wicked knee-high shot that was almost impossible to keep out of the goal if he had a clear area in front. The only way to stop that man was have three or four players, or more if you could spare them, and skate him into the side boards." ...

... Lalonde was on his first and only Stanley Cup winner in 1916, when Montreal defeated ***** ******* and the Portland Rosebuds. Lalonde, of course, was the star of the series. They traveled west to play the Seattle Metropolitans for the Cup in the spring of 1919, and Lalonde was sensational, earning acclaim from the local press. ...

... Is has been implied that **** ****, a deserving Hall of Famer, learned his craft from Lalonde. ...

... From one of the game's first superstars, the man who never made more than $4,500 a season, comes a lovely quote: "I can't go anywhere, on a train, a bus, or in a club without somebody who wants to talk to me. I tell you it's the most wonderful thing. It's worth more than any amount of money that I ever played for."

Kings of the Ice

A remarkable scorer who could also play a rough style of hockey, Edouard "Newsy" Lalonde was one of the premier forwards in the early days of the NHL. His tenacity on the ice became as legendary as his natural affinity for putting the puck in the net. ... But during his hockey-playing days, he earned a reputation as one of the game's bad boys because he knew how to take care of himself. Dick Beddoes wrote that "Lalonde was a survivor of a truly permissive age when hockey was genuinely a mug's racket, mottled with roughnecks who preferred to drink an opponent's blood at body temperature, or near there."

The Trail of the Stanley Cup

Newsy Lalonde was the greatest and most colourful hockey player of the era covered by this record. ...

... His ability as a hockey and lacrosse player is legendary. More has been written about this athlete, both in praise and abuse, than possibly any other. ... Great hockey stars shone in Newsy's era but they never could move the limelight for long from the original Flying Frenchman. ...

... A born leader, he was almost always the captain or playing manager of his team. There were no desultory performances without incurring a whiplash of his tongue. ...

... They defeated Portland for the Stanley Cup when Lalonde was the star of the series. ...

... They went west to defend the Cup against Seattle and in this series Newsy was sensational and won the acclaim of his west coast critics. It was practically Lalonde against Seattle in the second game when he scored all the Canadien goals.

Here are some direct accounts of his play in Stanley Cup games:

March 14th, 1909 vs. Wanderers

The tricky Lalonde cause **** napping and lobbed one past him from centre ice

.

March 22nd, 1917 vs. Rosebuds

Newsy Lalonde and **** ********** were back for the third game and really made their presence felt. Lalonde's flashy and aggressive play particularly annoyed ***** *******.

March 6th, 1919 vs. Seattle

Lalonde and ***** were skating fast and showed some great stickhandling

.

Newsy Lalonde was at his usual spot of centre and was easily the best man on the ice scoring four goals.

March 22nd, 1919 vs. Seattle

In the third game the great Canadien star Lalonde, played centre, rover and defence in an effort to master the western rules but failed to score a goal

I think the fact that Lalonde made an effort to play at any position speaks to him as not just a goal scorer, but a guy who will do whatever it takes to win.

March 30th, 1919 vs. Seattle

At one stage Canadiens were behind 3-0 but led by the tireless Lalonde they fought back and tied the score with four minutes to go. During the overtime Lalonde and ***** moved back on defence and proved impregnable.

I'd say this proves that Lalonde was definitely at least capable of playing well defensively, and in a pinch, he would do it. I think that should count for something.

Globe and Mail, January 8th, 1917

Lalonde was the most useful man on the French line

This was during a game against the Wanderers, I think just a regular season game. This line was noted after they said another important player on the team was knocked out, so I'm not exactly sure what it means - I'd like to think it has more to do with just offense, though.

Globe and Mail, January 8th, 1919, league game vs. Arenas

Veteran Hockeyist Plays in Sensational Style When Most Needed

... and the visitors won mainly because Newsy Lalonde played brilliant hockey throughout. The famous hockeyist was never seen to better advantage in this city and his spectacular and dangerous rushes proved the undoing of Arenas.

*** ****** and ***** did not accompany the visitors, and it was thought that the team would suffer to such a degree that a victory was hardly possible. ...

... The downfall of the locals surprised the large crowd and they were at a loss to understand how their favorites, who appeared to have the edge on the play, were unable to pull out a win. However, the explanation is not hard to find when one considers the heady work indulged in by Lalonde. This veteran of many bitterly fought contests saved himself in the early stages, and when he was most needed gave one of the most dazzling displays of his career. He secured the goal that placed the visitors on even terms with the locals by completely outguessing *******, ***** and ******* in turn. With the players battling at a heart-breaking pace to break the tie, Lalonde skated down the side, drew the defence out, and passed to *******, who was uncovered near the net. The latter tallied and the game was won and lost right there.

Globe and Mail, March 24th, 1919, Stanley Cup game against Seattle

Newsy Lalonde gave a great exhibition of skating and scored all four of the Canadiens' goals. Lalonde was the star of both teams. The leader of the visitors was a fiend on the defense and was impossible to stop when he gained possession of the rubber. He beat ****** and **** time and time again around the Seattle net, and his shooting was deadly accurate. Out of the score of bullet shots he sent ******' way, four got by the local net guardian.

Globe and Mail, March 31st, 1919, Stanley Cup game against Seattle

Lalonde Plays Sensational Game and is Main Factor in Victory

... but it was the great and only Lalonde who was responsible for the Montreal win. Urging his team on, Lalonde was not only a tower of strength on the defense, but he scored the second and tieing goals himself.

Globe and Mail, February 7th, 1921, league game against Hamilton

Ok, this one is a little hard to read, so I'm going to just get the gist of it out.

... Lalonde ... attempted to stop shots aimed by that well-known marksman, **** ***. They stopped the shots all right ...

Lalonde got injured on the play. It was really fragmented so it was really hard to read. However, I think the fact that he was willing to go down and block a shot gives the impression that he was ready to do anything to win, and I think this further plays into this idea that Lalonde likely did defensive work.

As you can see Newsy Lalonde was picked as the starting rover over the likes of Taylor and MacKay

Originally posted by the Trail Of The Stanley Cup, Vol. 1
At the end of Vol. 1 of The Trail of the Stanley Cup the author, Charles L. Coleman, selected his all-star team for the period of 1893-1926. In parenthesis are the other nominations for the team.

Goaltender- Clint Benedict (Hap Holmes, Georges Vezina, Hugh Lehman)
Defense- Sprague Cleghorn, Moose Johnson (Harry Cameron, Eddie Gerard)
Rover- Newsy Lalonde (Mickey MacKay, Cyclone Taylor)
Forwards- Russell Bowie, Frank Nighbor, Joe Malone (Punch Broadbent, Jack Darragh, Cy Denneny, Frank Foyston, Harry Hyland, Didier Pitre, Gordon Roberts, Ernie Russell

The top scorers from the pre-merger era

From the Hockey Compendium:

Top 20 Scorers, 1909-1926
GP G A P
1 Newsey Lalonde ('10-26') 296 gp-362 G*-81 A-443 PTS
2 Joe Malone ('09-24') 273 gp-343 G-58 A- 401 PTS
3 Cy Denneny ('15-26') 259 gp-258 G-82 A- 340 PTS
4 Frank Nighbor ('13-26') 287 gp-238 G-96 A- 334 PTS
5 Frank Foyston ('13-26'>) 297 gp-223 G-72 A- 295 PTS
6 Cyclone Taylor ('09-23') 169 gp-189 G-104* A- 293 PTS
7 Mickey MacKay ('15-26') 247 gp-198 G-92 A- 290 PTS

Newsy Lalonde has a 10% lead on Malone, 30% on Denneny. Denneny only added 29 points after 1926. Nighbor added 32, and MacKay added 63 to also remain on the 1940 leader board.

His 362 goals wasn't passed until Richard did it in 54-55.

Thanks to Jarek for sending me this wonderful bio on Newsy Lalonde which shows he was a the complete package.
To be continued...

 

[JFA87-66-99]

Scott Niedermayor

 

[JFA87-66-99]

Harry Cameron, D

-The premier offensive defenseman of his day, a 3-time Cup winner, and the first man to record a Gordie Howe hat-trick...

Originally Posted by The Trail of the Stanley Cup, vol. 1
He was considered the first man to be able to curve his shot--with a straight stick, no less!--and long before Bobby Orr flew end to end with the puck Harry Cameron was the finest rushing defenceman and goal-scorer of hockey's early pro years.

Originally Posted by The Trail of the Stanley Cup, vol. 1
One of the great defence players of all time who scored more goals than any other defence man in the history of Stanley Cup competition to the end of 1926.

Harry Cameron was quite a boisterous fellow on and off the ice...

Cameron was one of the players acquired for the Toronto team... This pair was outstanding in defeating Canadiens in the playoffs of 1914 that led to Toronto's first Stanley Cup win.

Cameron was fined $100 for breaking training but was back at his post to help win the Cup for a second time against Vancouver in 1918. He was in trouble again ... the next season and after being suspended was sent to Ottawa. He teamed with Sprague Cleghorn on the Senator's defence, pushing Eddie Gerard out of his regular spot.

He returned to Toronto and behaving himself had two of his best years... The St. Pats were in the Cup finals in 1922 when Cameron injured his shoulder in the third game against Vancouver. He was replaced by Eddie Gerard of Ottawa for one game but ... objected to Toronto playing Gerard in the final game. Cameron returned to action and played brilliantly as the St. Pats won the game and the Cup.

Originally Posted by Ultimate Hockey

Retro Norris Trophy
1914 NHA
1916 NHA
1918 NHL
1919 NHL

Best Offensive Defenseman Of The 1910's

Harry Cameron was the first defenseman to shoot from the point in earnest and developed the so-called "curve-shot."

...as a player, Cameron was a dandy. He was one of the first, if not the first, to develop a curved shot - without benefit of a curved stick blade! He was a solid skater who possessed a sixth sense when on the attack. His scoring record is outstanding, especially considering the fact that he was a defenseman. He regularly topped NHL rearguards in scoring and placed fifth overall in the league twice.

Top 10 scoring finishes in the NHL (among all players!)

1917-18: 6th in goals, 1st in assists, 6th in points
1918-19: 7th in goals, 8th in points
1919-20: only played 7 games
1920-21: 8th in goals, 4th in assists, 6th in points
1921-22: 7th in goals, 1st in assists, 4th in points.

-Cameron scored 4 goals in an NHL game, twice, which stood as the record for defenseman for almost 60 years.

Originally Posted by BM67
I said Cameron was top-5 in scoring dominance, not that he was a top-5 offensive defenseman of all-time. He might be closer than many think though.

Here are the top 17 D in my Vs. #2 numbers. The numbers represent their best year, best 3 consecutive years and yearly average totaled together. I compare them to both the #2 scorer in the league, and the #2 scoring defenseman.

Player Vs. League Rank Vs. D only Rank Combined Rank
Bobby Orr 5.1 1 10.525 1 15.625 1
Paul Coffey 4.45 2 7.004 2 11.454 2
Red Kelly 3.478 7 6.691 4 10.169 3
Harry Cameron 3.534 5 5.96 6 9.494 5
Denis Potvin 3.614 4 5.841 8 9.455 6
George Boucher 3.69 3 5.499 11 9.189 7
Viacheslav Fetisov 3.215 11 5.849 7 9.064 8
Alexei Kasatonov 2.903 14 5.985 5 8.888 9
Ray Bourque 3.521 6 5.254 12 8.775 10
Eddie Shore 3.115 12 5.633 9 8.748 11
Nicklas Lidstrom 3.345 9 5.253 14 8.598 12
Brian Leetch 3.263 10 5.126 16 8.389 13
Al MacInnis 3.357 8 4.907 17 8.264 14
Bill Gadsby 2.715 17 5.508 10 8.223 15
Doug Harvey 2.838 15 5.231 15 8.069 16
King Clancy 2.747 16 5.253 13 8 17

Originally posted by Sturminator
You make an interesting point about offensive defensemen. I think a lot of older defensemen (about whom relatively little is known) who are noted for their offense may unfairly end up the victims of Paul Coffey syndrome in the minds of some GMs. Ivanov is perhaps a different case (he wasn't really a defenseman, though clearly he was a good 2-way player), but this does apply to guys like Egan, Cameron, Hollett, etc.

Perhaps the responsibility of showing that these old-time offensive defensemen could also play in their own zones rests on the shoulders of the GM(s) who drafted them? You certainly make a compelling case for Pat Egan. I dunno, but I've been concerned about Harry Cameron carrying that perception since we drafted him, and so I've done a bit more research. It is well accepted that Cameron was considered one of the finest defensemen of his era, and is credited with being the best defenseman in the league (NHA and NHL) four times by Ultimate Hockey, but all that is mentioned specifically about his skills by the common sources is that he was a great rusher of the puck and supposedly the first man to curve his shot. He is almost universally called the "mainstay" or "leader" of the Toronto defense during his era, but that really tells us nothing. We also know that Cameron was thin: various sites list him between 5'10" and 6'0" but by all accounts he weighed little more than 160 pounds or so and is described as "light" anecdotally in a couple of resources I've come across.

Without further evidence, the inevitable conclusion is "soft". The thing is, you couldn't succeed as a star in professional hockey during Cameron's era (especially as a defenseman) if you were soft. This was a time when stick duels weren't considered uncommon, charging and spearing were basically unpenalized and vicious brawls were a regular occurrence. Here's a brief description direct from the Toronto Star (it's the same article BM referenced in the Jack Marshall write-up) of the final game of the 1914 Stanley Cup Challenge (the first Cup winner Cameron played on in Toronto):

Originally Posted by Toronto Star - March 20, 1914
Take a generous helping of scraps, a good measure of stick-swinging and slashing, a gill of tripping, a few rib-disturbing body-checks, no small portion of real, good hockey, and a dash of police intervention, and you have the tobasco cocktail which the Toronto and Victoria pro. hockey teams served up to the fans in what proved to be the deciding game for the Stanley Cup. Torontos won by 3 to 1, and take the silverware and title of world's champions in three straight.

Not a game for the meek of heart. Harry Cameron was in his second professional season at the time the Blueshirts won their first Cup. He had turned twenty four a month before the Cup Challenge, had just played his first really good season, putting up 15-4-19 in 19 games, and was already considered arguably the best defensemen in hockey (he was the best according to Total Hockey). Here is Cameron's specific mention in the article:

Originally Posted by Toronto Star
When it comes to calling stars, little XXX cannot be well overlooked for he did some clever work, while Harry Cameron, who was only fair on Tuesday, showed his old-time form. His defence work was wicked and his rushes dangerous all the time. He was mixed up in a dozen fierce clashes with XXX, XXX, XXX, but he came right back fearlessly

.

It's not actually a ringing endorsement of Cameron. It mentions that he was "only fair" in the second game - which had been played under PCHA rules with seven skaters to a side - though given Harry's youth and the fact that the whole Toronto team struggled under the different rules, it is hardly an indictment, either. Cameron, it should be noted, was always a defenseman; he never played the rover position, which had been abolished in the NHA in 1911, though it persisted in the PCHA for several more years.

At any rate, the article mentions several players, most notably Frank Foyston, who were the stars of the match, but the young Cameron is credited with playing "wicked" defense and getting involved in "a dozen fierce clashes" with a number of Victoria players. Clearly, this is not Paul Coffey we're talking about, here. Perhaps the most telling snippet from the article, however, is this one:

Originally Posted by Toronto Star
XXX, the big defence man, played grand hockey until he was laid out by a heavy body check by Cameron. XXX got a rough passage every time he started and was mixed up in many of the little skirmishes, but he looked as good as any man on the ice until Cameron laid him low.

I found this quite surprising when I read it. Skinny little Harry Cameron taking out a much bigger man with a body check?! I was surprised enough that Cameron was getting into so many fights (he is mentioned on another site as the first pro player with a Gordie Howe hat trick, though given the era it was probably the assist that was the toughest thing about that feat). It's not clear whether or not Cameron actually knocked the big defenseman out of the game, but at any rate Harry was able to effectively neutralize him with a single body check.

The picture I've got of Harry Cameron is of a guy who was (much like King Clancy) not big, but strong, tough, aggressive and obviously very skilled. "Wicked", "fierce" and "fearless" are the words the Toronto rag chose to describe his combination of play and pugilism. Unlike Clancy (who was aggressive, but good-natured), Cameron seems to have been genuinely surly, both on and off the ice.

Whatever his disposition, though, he was clearly a more well-rounded player than is reported in his Legends bio, and at the end of the day, I'd rather have a mean little ******* than a soft one.

Originally posted by the Trail Of The Stanley Cup, Vol. 1
At the end of Vol. 1 of The Trail of the Stanley Cup the author, Charles L. Coleman, selected his all-star team for the period of 1893-1926. In parenthesis are the other nominations for the team.

Goaltender- Clint Benedict (Hap Holmes, Georges Vezina, Hugh Lehman)
Defense- Sprague Cleghorn, Moose Johnson (Harry Cameron, Eddie Gerard)
Rover- Newsy Lalonde (Mickey MacKay, Cyclone Taylor)
Forwards- Russell Bowie, Frank Nighbor, Joe Malone (Punch Broadbent, Jack Darragh, Cy Denneny, Frank Foyston, Harry Hyland, Didier Pitre, Gordon Roberts, Ernie Russell

 

[BillyShoe1721]

The Philadelphia Flyers select a guy that is all heart and soul, a great leader, a very good two-way player, and a penalty killer, Trevor Linden

2x NHL All Star Game Participant
4th in All Star Voting among RW 1992
9th in Hart Voting 1992
5th in Selke Voting 1996
Top Vs2 % Seasons: 70, 70, 61, 57, 54, 54, 51
SH TOI/G Ranks(since 97-98): 2, 2, 4, 1, 2, 2, 1, 1, 8, 5
27.9% PK Usage 88-89 to 96-97

After all these years, Cliff Ronning lets us in on a secret that speaks glowingly of Trevor Linden's competitiveness and tenacity.

"You don't know this, but Trevor Linden had cracked ribs and torn rib cartilage for the last four games of the 1994 Stanley Cup Final," Cliff Ronning said. "You can't imagine what it's like to hear your captain, in a room down the hall, screaming at the top of his lungs as they injected the needle into his rib cage. Knowing him, he probably thought we couldn't hear. He would then walk into our dressing room like nothing had happened. That was inspirational."

"Pat Quinn was inspirational to the younger players and put us in situations that we'd be accountable to each other. That's where Trevor fit in. He showed us that his accountability as a player was to the team, not to Trevor. By playing on the defensive side of the puck and taking hits to make plays, to staying in the night before a big game, Trevor set the disciplinary tone by himself. That's why we saw him as a great leader.

"Quinn slowly groomed our team as he went along and he needed a captain who shared his philosophy of hard work," Ronning said. "Trevor never took a shift off. He sacrificed his body to block shots and did a lot of little things that some scorers won't do. That's what made him an excellent captain."

"Certain people have leadership skills in their makeup and it was abundantly evident in Trevor Linden," said Quinn, who named Linden team captain at age 21. "He had shown it as a young player and we were a team changing our ethic. We hadn't been a winning organization. He seemed the right guy to put in there to be our leader and captain.

"He was a high-level performer who brought his level up in the big games. He didn't make mistakes and he scored important goals. Even if he wasn't a prolific scorer, he was that good, solid, two-way player that coaches love to have in the lineup.

http://canucks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=453227

In comparison to Gretzky and the Soviets, Linden may seem an odd choice. Linden was not flashy or high skilled, not a great scorer or a flawless skater. He was essentially a hard worker, the personification of selflessness, an unquantifiable hockeyist who excelled in intangibles, effort and class.

He was also a great person - the kind of person we all want to be. Perhaps that drew me to him as much as his hockey. His charity efforts, his tireless effort on the ice, and his genuine likability off of it.

Before the beginning of the 1991-92 season, Linden was named as the new team captain, making him the youngest captain in the National Hockey League. The 21 year old Linden would go on to lead the team in scoring for the 2nd straight year. It also was the first season of Canuck dominance. Captain Canuck guided the team to a 42-26-12 record. The 96 points gave the Canucks their first Smythe Division title since 1975. The following season Linden would lead the team to another 1st place finish based on a 46-29-9 record for the team's first 100+ point season.

Linden led the Canucks to the team's greatest moment in 1994 - game 7 of the Stanley Cup playoffs. After a relatively disappointing 85 point, 2nd place finish, the Canucks caught fire in the playoffs. After falling behind 3-1 in the opening round against Calgary, the Canucks stormed back to win 4 games to 3 and then would blow by Dallas and Toronto to face Mark Messier, Mike Keenan and the New York Rangers. Lead by Linden's leadership and physical play, Pavel Bure's goal scoring and Kirk McLean's incredible goaltending, the Canucks took the Rangers to 7 games. The final game was as close as could possibly be. Had Nathan Lafeyette's shot hit the inside of the goalpost instead of the outside, perhaps the Canucks could have forced overtime. Unfortunately, the Canucks would lose game 7 by a score of 3 goals to 2, both scored by Trevor Linden.

1995-96 would prove to be Trevor's best season statistically as he would set career highs in goals (33) assists (47) and points (80). But as anyone who knows Trevor, his value is not determined by statistical output, but rather by intangibles.

At the conclusion of the season, Linden was named the winner of the King Clancy Memorial Trophy as "the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made noteworthy humanitarian contributions to his community." Linden started "Captain's Crew," which gave children who would not otherwise have the chance the opportunity to attend Canuck games. He also is a big supporter of Canuck Place hospice, the Ronald McDonald House, Youth Against Violence and Children's Hospital. Linden would also win the Gillette World Champion Award, given to the Canadian athlete demonstrating athletic excellence, sportsmanship and humanitarian contributions.

1997-98 saw the arrival of Mark Messier, considered by many to be the greatest captain in North American sports. As a sign of true leadership, Trevor handed the team captaincy over to Mark Messier prior to start of season. To hand over something so important and so honored as the captaincy of a NHL team shows that Linden was more concerned with the good of the team than his own ego.

One day after being traded, Linden headed to Nagano as a member of the first ever Olympic Team Canada that included the top 25 Canadian born NHL players. Linden would score the only goal in Canada's disappointing loss to Dominik Hasek and the Czech Republic.

Linden, a natural right winger, was shifted to center ice later in his career in Vancouver and has played there ever since. He excelled on face-offs and is usually in sound defensive position, but the move changed his game immensely. He was much more physical on right wing. Moving up and down the wall, Linden excelled by hitting and banging. He was always at his best when he is playing physically. However at center ice, Linden did not get the chance to play the same physical game, as he remained disciplined and rarely strays from the middle of the ice, so that he was not caught out of position should the other team get the puck. This defensive discipline also hurts Trevor's offensive output. He no longer drove to the net as hard as he would if he were on the wing, again sacrificing his offensive output so that someone remains high to help out the defensemen.

Mike Brophy wrote in The Hockey News a spectacularly wonderful article on Trevor. I'd like to share a small portion of it here:

Linden believes it is attention to detail that has helped him excel.

"People always tell me I'm a great playoff performer," Linden says, "and the only reason I can think that is, is because in the playoffs doing the little things right counts the most."

Watch Linden closely and you won't be blown away by any particular skill; his conviction and determination are his strengths. He doesn't have the hardest shot in the league, yet the puck doesn't flutter when he snaps it towards the gal. He is a deceptively fast skater. In a race for the puck, an opponent might look like he's skating quicker, but Linden often gets there first using a long, fluent stride."

Trevor Linden is a leader. Trevor Linden is a winner. You have to watch his game closely to truly appreciate his excellence.

http://canuckslegends.blogspot.com/2008/03/trevor-linden.html

Against most peoples better judgment, Linden made the team that first year when many believed he could have used some more seasoning in the minors. But like a trooper he took the bull by the horns and would instantly provide leadership to the organization. Something he was known to do throughout his entire 19 year career.

He finished second in Calder voting that year, losing out to an amazing defenseman by the name of Brian Leetch.
Linden was the new savior, the one who would change the face of the franchise. The team had retooled their front office and brought in Pat Quinn in a controversial move from Los Angeles. He would, for many years, be the father figure for young players learning the ropes of the pro game.

For the next ten seasons, Trevor Linden would be the face of the franchise and even through a nasty contract dispute in 1993, he came out of the other side loved; an accomplishment not many players can earn.

Number sixteen, of course, saved his best for the 1994 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Linden played like a man possessed.

Constantly injured and often fatigued beyond belief, he was able to still lead this team to a place they never thought imaginable.

Playing the final series against the New York Rangers, Captain Canuck had a broken nose, a slightly separated shoulder and cracked ribs. Injuries which he never made mention of until after the playoffs were completed.

The site of him sobbing in the corner after the final whistle blew to end the game and with Mark Messier, not Linden himself skating around with the Cup told you all you needed to know about Trevor Linden; especially on that night. Devastation spilled across his face. Not just for personal reasons, but for the team and the city of Vancouver who so desperately needed something to believe in.

However, price was not of concern because Trevor Linden was home as Captain Canuck.

Though his skills had declined, his heart grew in the time he was away. He was very appreciative of all he had in Vancouver, possibly even more from his original days as a Canuck. He played whatever role they threw at him, no longer worrying about having to put the team on his shoulders. They had Naslund and Bertuzzi to take care of those situations.

Trevor Linden may not have been a superstar and will never make the Hall Of Fame but, his number 16 jersey hangs prominently in the rafters for good reason.

The man accomplished his tasks. He saved a franchise through hard work, dedication and a heart of gold. He saved the game we loved by putting it back on the ice. He competed for his country in the Olympics and he left the game on his terms, never regretting the fact he had never won a Cup or any major award. Linden was gratified simply by being a part of the Vancouver Canucks organization.

I personally can not think of a player more deserving of the honor of having his number hang for eternity.

Not a superstar nor flashy; simply put, he was Trevor Linden.

http://thehockeyguys.net/stuff-of-legends-trevor-linden/

Mere statistics, however, are a feeble yardstick of Linden's abilities. He can play every position but goaltender. At 6'4", 200 pounds, he is as comfortable mucking in corners—the NHL's trenches—as he is tinkering under the hood of his vintage Mustang. He dumps the puck in deep and goes in and digs it out. "We knew he was a good cornerman and a good defensive player," says Vancouver coach Bob McCammon. "But we didn't know he'd give us so much offensively." And will be able to for so long—just think, in a couple of years Linden will be legal to go out with his teammates for a postgame beer anywhere the NHL plays. He's the youngest player in the league and won't turn 19 until April 11.

"I don't see how he can miss," says Farwell, now general manager of the WHL Seattle Thunderbirds. "He's got the work ethic of a Bobby Clarke, but I think he may be more talented than Bobby was."

"Usually with a rookie, you're waiting for some sign of maturity," says Snepsts. "With Trev, you wait and wait for him to show some sign that he's still only a kid."

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1068222/2/index.htm

I know for a fact that Trevor goes all out every time he laces on the skates. In the eight years I've been here, there's no player I respect more than Trevor Linden.

Linden was a prototype power forward with a 6'4", 220 pound frame. He was the building block player that Canucks general manager Pat Quinn dreamed about selecting with the 2nd overall pick at the 1988 NHL Entry Draft...According to Brian Burke, "With Pat being in charge, we probably would have taken Trevor anyway. We all respected Mike Modano as a player and saw the offensive gifts that Trevor didn't have. We knew Trevor would be a solid two-way player.

"He's had that leadership quality his whole life. He's a character kid. I think you'll see Vancouver got the best player in the draft."

And like Bobby Clarke, the former gap toothed Flyers captain with whom he was compared, Linden played hard when it mattered the most-the Stanley Cup playoffs.

http://books.google.com/books?id=U4...0CEEQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=trevor linden&f=false

VANCOUVER - Regarded by many in Vancouver as the most clutch hockey player in Canucks history, Trevor Linden bolstered that reputation on Sunday.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=377437

And what else would you expect? Since he arrived in Vancouver from Medicine Hat all those years ago with the heart of a lion and the physique of a one-iron, Linden's message hasn't changed.

It's always been about the win. It's always been about the team. Sure, it's nice to contribute, but there are far more important issues -- and he said that when he was scoring 35 goals a year, and he says it now when he's scoring 12.

"I don't have anything concrete," he said. "We're all no-nonsense players and those guys are big guys. When we forecheck together, we seem to have some success."

http://www.canada.com/theprovince/n...=739a073a-8fe5-47c0-b1ca-0dd81cf528b5&k=78445

Trevor Linden, a board-rattling wing from Medicine Hat

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en....,cf.osb&fp=4312b2b9fb395744&biw=1366&bih=638

 

[Velociraptor]

Yvon Lambert, LW

Position: Left Wing
HT/WT: 6'2", 200 lbs
Handedness: Left
Born: May 20th, 1950 in Drummondville, QC

- 4-time Stanley Cup Champion (1976, 1977, 1978, 1979)
- scored 206 goals and 273 assists for 479 points in 683 regular season games, adding 340 penalty minutes.
- Finished Top 10 in All-Star Voting twice (7th, 10th)
- The Selke Trophy was introduced shortly after Lambert's defensive prime, so who knows what he could've accomplished if it had been introduced before his career began.
- scored 27 goals and 22 assists for 49 points in 90 playoff games, adding 67 penalty minutes.

Top 10 Finishes:
Game Winning Goals - 2x - (6, 6)

Quotes

I know I cannot skate the way people expect the Canadiens to skate and I know skating is the most important part of this sport, but I know other things are important, too, and I have seen that if I do the other things - work hard defensively, take advantage of the openings offensively, and get the odd goal, I can keep a place for myself here.

Legends of Hockey

But the Wings let the hefty winger slip away to the Habs in a reverse draft the following year while Lambert was in the service of the Port Huron Flags of the IHL. In 1971-72, the Canadiens placed him with the Nova Scotia Voyageurs of the AHL. There he put up average results until his second year with the club. Suddenly, Yvon Lambert arrived in professional hockey. He won the league scoring title and led his team to a Calder Cup victory.

At about the same time, several key skaters with the Habs jumped to the WHA. Suddenly the club was in need of some hitting power up front. Lambert's profile made for a perfect fit. He joined the Canadiens in 1973-74 and attained only modest results. But in year two, he established himself as the power forward the club had desired. He was soon billed as the French John Ferguson. a hard-as-nails, rugged performer who excelled in the corners and in front of the net during power plays. He hooked up with Doug Risebrough and Mario Tremblay to form "The Kid Line." The trio formed a superb collective with a finely tuned balance between great defensive play and an ability to score points.

Greatest Hockey Legends

Yvon Lambert is best remembered as two-way grinding forward with the Montreal Canadiens, but it was the Detroit Red Wings who drafted him in 1970. Believing he could not skate well enough to play in the NHL, the Wings proved to be foolish for allowing Lambert to slip through the now-extinct NHL reverse draft that saw Lambert join the Habs organization.

Hard work was never something Lambert was afraid of. Lambert worked tirelessly on his skating, especially after Detroit let him go because they didn't think he could skate well enough to play in the NHL. That was Montreal's gain.

ourhistory.canadiens.com

Yvon Lambert scored over 200 goals in his eight seasons with the Montreal Canadiens but one stands taller than all the others combined.

On May 10, 1979, the Habs went into overtime in the seventh game of their semifinal series against Boston thanks to an infamous too many men call against the Bruins which led to a late tying goal by Guy Lafleur that set the stage for Lambert to play the hero.

Nine minutes into the sudden death period, linemate Mario Tremblay threw the puck towards the Bruins net and Lambert found the mesh, sending his team into the Finals and cementing his place in Canadiens history. While most long-time Habs fans remember the big left winger’s overtime clincher against the Bruins, many have forgotten that Lambert also scored the Stanley Cup winner against the Rangers less than two weeks later.

Lambert, who hoisted the Stanley Cup four times in his career, spent most of his time playing on the Habs’ hard-working second line with Mario Tremblay and Doug Risebrough. Equally effective at shutting down enemy attackers as they were at launching their own assaults, the trio was an essential component in four consecutive Stanley Cup Championships in the late 1970s.

A Century of Montreal Canadiens, 100 Years of Excellence

With six 20-plus goal season, Yvon Lambert scored consistently while patrolling the left side on a checking line with Doug Risebrough and Mario Tremblay in the 1970's. His place in Habs lore was secured when he scored the dramatic overtime winner in Game 7 of the 1979 semifinal series against Boston.

 

[Velociraptor]

Ken Hitchcock, coach

Born: December 17th, 1951 in Edmonton, AB
Nickname: "Hitch"

- Won the Stanley Cup as the coach of the Dallas Stars (1999)
- Stanley Cup Finalist (2000)
- nine 100+ point seasons in the NHL
- 566 wins in 1091 regular season games.
- 66 wins in 121 playoff games.
- Took over coaching the St. Louis Blues on Nov. 5th/2011, in 50 games he has a record of (33-10-7) a winning percentage of .660, taking a non-playoff team into a divisional leader.

Jack Adams Voting Record

1996-97: 2nd, lost by seven votes
1997-98: 3rd
1998-99: 3rd
1999-00: 4th
2000-01: 7th
2002-03: 9th
2003-04: 10th
2008-09: 4th
2011-12: ???

Derek Neumeier, thehockeywriters

Ken Hitchcock should be the early Jack Adams front-runner

Hitch isn't only a great coach so far this NHL season, he's probably the best

Determining the quality of a coach is never an exact science. Unlike players, who can be judged by cold, hard individual stats, a coach doesn’t always have the same luxury. Sure, it ultimately comes down to wins and losses as far as a coach’s neck on the line goes, but there’s usually a gray area that links a team’s overall performance to that of their coach.

However, with regards to Ken Hitchcock’s work with the St Louis Blues this season, there’s no gray area: Hitch’s impact is an obvious one, and one that should be given heavy consideration for the Jack Adams Award for the NHL’s top bench boss.

Let’s start with the big one: the wins. The Blues were a humdrum 6-7 when former coach Davis Payne was canned. Under Hitch, the team is a stellar 21-5-6, and currently sits 4th out of all NHL teams in points, with 79, behind Detroit, Vancouver and the New York Rangers, in that order. That’s some elite company, especially for a team that not many were even considering to be a lock for making the playoffs.

Equally as impressive, however, is the Blues’ 1.92 team goals against average, the lowest in the entire NHL.And that’s with a blueline led by youngsters XXXX XXXXXXXXXX and XXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX, and the team’s only defender over 30, XXXXXX XXXXXXX. Upon signing with the team Hitch had a well-established reputation as an excellent defense-first coach, one that earned him as much scorn as praise in the post-lockout NHL, but the Blues jumping to the top of the league in goals against? That’s an impressive feat.

In fact, as of right now the entire regular Blues roster, with the exception of XXXXX XXXXXX at -3, have a plus minus rating of a 0 or higher, all the way up to XXXXXXXXXX’s team-leading +23. Wow. Hitchcock has the entire team buying into a system where everyone not only accepts their roles, but is performing incredibly well at them. For a team that lacks star power and the heavy cap hit that usually follows it, it’s an incredibly effective strategy.

Many have complained over the years about Hitch’s commitment to the defensive side of the game, and have pointed out how it wouldn’t work in the faster, sexier post-lockout NHL. Well, as this season has shown thus far, Hitch can still coach, and his methods are still effective. You don’t coach a Stanley Cup-winning team (Dallas in 1999) without learning a few tricks along the way.

Blues fans might not be getting the most exciting brand of hockey that the franchise has ever seen, but the team is winning. And when it’s all said and done in the end, there’s nothing more important than wins and losses.

The Spectator - Sep 4, 1998

Ken Hitchcock, a finalist last season for the Jack Adams Trophy as the NHL's coach of the year, was rewarded with a three-year contract extension from the Dallas Stars yesterday.

Hitchcock spent six years as the coach of the WHL's Kamloops Blazers and compiled the highest winning percentage (.693) in league history.

Toronto Star - Jun 8, 1999

Leading the Stars to their first Stanley Cup would help.

Hitchcock never did win a Memorial Cup with the Blazers and was an assistant for some awful Philadelphia teams in the early 1990s. The Stars hired him for their minor league team in Kalamazoo, Mich., in 1993 and when Bob Gainey replaced himself as Stars coach in 1995, he promoted Hitchcock.

Since then, "Hitch" has compiled a .626 winning percentage and has two nominations for the Jack Adams Award. With a salary of $700,000 (U.S.), he's among the NHL's highest-paid coaches.

NHL.com - Mar 26, 2009

Hitchcock picked up his 500th career victory on Feb. 19 when the Jackets beat Toronto 4-3, but surprisingly, he has never won the Jack Adams Trophy as coach

 

[Hedberg]

D Bucko McDonald

1936, 1937, 1942 Stanley Cup Champion
1942 2nd Team All-Star
6th (41-42), 8th (40-41) in Defense Scoring

Legends of Hockey:

At 5'10" and a solid 205 pounds, Wilfred McDonald was known in hockey circles simply as Bucko. The muscular defenseman from Fergus, Ontario began his ascent to the NHL playing with the IHL's Buffalo Bisons in 1933 at the age of 19. He played in the Queen City for two years and then was traded to the IHL's Detroit Olympics. During the 1934-35 season he was called up for 15 games with the IHL's Detroit Red Wings.

McDonald was a steady if not flashy player, who was very much a defensive-oriented player, always taking care of business in his own zone. It was his consistent play which kept him in the Red Wings lineup for the better part of three years before being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Bill Thomson and cash.

Red Wings Legends

Bucko McDonald was a fantastic defensive blueliner for parts of 11 NHL seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Rangers. He was especially well known for his exuberant body checking.

McDonald had little trouble adjusting to the game on ice, quickly establishing himself as a defensive defenseman extraordinaire. He started out in the lowly IAHL with the Buffalo Bisons but by early 1935 he had caught on with the Detroit Red Wings. He would bring his clean, hard hitting play to the Motor City and emerged as one of the upper echelon defenders in the entire league. He was an unheralded member of the 1936 and 1937 Red Wing Stanley Cup championships.

Ultimate Hockey (via EagleBelfour):

Wilfred ''Bucko'' McDonald was likely the first blueliner to master the art of the shot-block. ''Rollicking Bucko'' handed down his shot-blocking secrets to Bob Goldham in Goldham's rookie season.

The Calgary Herald - Mar. 26, 1940

Time has flown since Wilfred (Bucko) McDonald was the toast of Detroit and the champion hamburger consumer of the NHL.

... it's a dramatic opportunity for Bucko, wiser and more serious at 28, to recapture some of the playoff glory that was his when Detroit won the Stanley Cup in 1936 and 1937. Those were the days when he slapped opposition forwards into the stands and ate as many as 10 hamburgers at a sitting, to the vast delight of Detroiters

The Calgary Herald - Jan 18, 1941

McDonald has done such a job of patrolling the blue-line for the Leafs that he has been mentioned in at least one quarter as an all-star candidate

The Telegraph Herald - Nov 17, 1936

Younger members of the aggregation promise a great deal - the bruising Bucko McDonald, perhaps the daddy of all body checkers...

 

[Hedberg]

G Hap Holmes

13-14, 16-17, 17-18, 24-25 Stanley Cup Champion
13-14 NHA, 16-17, 18-19, 19-20, 20-21, 21-22 PCHA Retro Vezina
15-16, 16-17, 18-19, 19-20, 20-21, 21-22, 22-23 PCHA 2nd Team All-Star
24-25 WCHL All-Star
21-22 PCHA Retro Hart
Member of the Hockey Hall of Fame

Legends of Hockey

One of the preeminent netminders of his era, Harry "Hap" Holmes excelled in all five of the top pro leagues from 1912 to 1928. He made an impact in the National Hockey Association, Pacific Coast Hockey Association, Western Canada Hockey League, Western Hockey League and National Hockey League. A sterling playoff performer, Holmes backstopped two Stanley Cup wins in Toronto and one each in Seattle and Victoria. He was the leading goalie six times in the Pacific Coast Hockey Association/Western Canada Hockey League when such rivals as Hugh Lehman and George Hainsworth were still on the ice. In Stanley Cup play, he out-dueled such legends as Georges Vezina and Clint Benedict.

Holmes ventured east again with Seattle in 1920 to challenge Ottawa for the Stanley Cup. Despite his brilliance, the westerners lost a close series to the powerhouse Senators. He led the PCHA in shutouts four times and in wins on two occasions. He enjoyed two successful years with the Victoria Cougars from 1924 to 1926, leading the WCHL/WHL in his goals-against average.

In 1924-25, his brilliance led Victoria past the Saskatoon Sheiks in the WCHL playoffs. In the Stanley Cup championship match with the Montreal Canadiens, Holmes starred along with Jack Walker and Frank Frederickson as Victoria became the last non-NHL team to win the Stanley Cup. The heroic netminder became the first goalie to win the Cup with four different franchises. That year he also attained his own personal triumph over Habs netminder Georges Vezina, against whom he'd waged the memorable but undecided battle in the 1919 championship series.

Wikipedia

Holmes was a stand-up style goaltender; later on in his career, Holmes wore a cap when in goal to protect his head from objects thrown by spectators, as it presented a tempting target to them.

Red Wings Legends

Hockey Hall of Famer Harry "Hap" Holmes played only 103 NHL games, but enjoyed a 15 year career with 5 different leagues. He was one of hockey's early star puck stoppers, and had he not spent his best years out west, Hap Holmes almost certainly would be bigger legend in hockey circles today.

Holmes strapped on the pads for Toronto of the NHA, Seattle of the PCHA, Victoria of the WCHL which would later become the WHL, and Toronto and Detroit of the NHL.

Though much of his career pre-dated the NHL or was spent out west in the PCHA/WHL, the legendary Holmes finally became a NHL star at the end of his career. He, like most surviving members of the Victoria Cougars, relocated to Detroit. He played the final two seasons of his career in the Motor City, earning an impressive 17 shutouts in 85 games.

Described as both fearless and non-chalent almost to a fault. Some mistook his "nerveless" approach to the net as lazy, just like some mistook his efficient play as unspectacular.

Make no mistake, Hap Holmes truly was one of the best goaltenders in the world in his long, 15 year career. He was arguably the best goalie in the PCHA for six straight years. He saved his best play for the playoffs. His four Stanley Cup championships with four different teams should be stuff of legend. He even outduelled the likes of Georges Vezina and Clint Benedict.

The Toronto World, Mar 30, 1920

Harry Holmes, goalie without peer, was his old self. His saving was of the finished order, and he kept the score down.

The Toronto World, Oct 22, 1918

Harry Holmes, the sterling goaler, is still in Toronto

The Trail of the Stanley Cup, Vol. 1 (via BM67)

Happy Holmes was an exceptional goaler who played in both the east and west, compiling an average that is second only to that of Clint Benedict when weighted with the length of his career. He was on seven chamionship teams, four of which won the Stanley Cup.

This great goalkeeper seemed taken for granted and little refence was made of the extraordinary record that he was compiling. The eccentricities of other goalers kept many of them in the news but Holmes, if mentioned, was usually reported as playing a steady game. This he maintained throughout his career.

Ultimate Hockey (via BM67)

Harry "Hap" Holmes was goalie of uncommon grit. Sportswriters called him "Nerveless." He played in 409 top-level contests in his career with Toronto, Seattle, Detroit, and Victoria. If there had been a throphy for the league's top goalie in his day, he may very well have taken half a dozen. In all, he counted 40 shutouts, adding 7 more in 48 playoff contests, and he put up a career goals-against average of 2.81 and backstopped seven league championship squads and four Stanley Cup winners.