Nels Stewart Biography: Debunking Myths

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So I did heavy research on Mr. Nelson Stewart for the 2018 ATD, hoping to find more information on his apparent lack of defensive accumen and speed as it's been circulating for years, based largely on a handful of accounts, one of them being Eddie Shore, who was notorious for holding grudges.

What I found after many long hours sifting through Montreal newspapers was incredibly revealing and I wanted to share the research with the HoH section. It's a pretty long read all together but I hope you can take the time to go over it because there is A LOT of information that contradicts the long standing stereotypes that have been attached to Stewart, again, often from limited sources, at least compared to what I dug up.

Not only was Stewart routinely cited for outstanding defensive play during his Montreal Maroon days, there is also a good amount of first hand accounts of his speed, including a direct quote from one of the greatest coaches of all time, Toe Blake. Stewart also spent a significant amount of time at LW in Montreal as well. I'm not entirely sure how much, if any this would move the needle on Stewart in an all time light, when looking at say, a comprehensive ranking system, but if the time comes when we redo the all time C rankings, this information should come in quite handy.



So, here it is. The 2018, Nels Stewart bio:



Nels Stewart, C/LW

Awards and Achievements
2 x Hart Trophy Winner(1926, 1930)
1 x Stanley Cup Champion(1926)
1 x Retro Conn Smythe Winner(1926)
1 x Retro Art Ross Winner(1926)
2 x Retro Maurice Richard Trophy Winner(1926, 1937)

Scoring
Ranking Finishes:
Goals: 1st(1926), 1st(1937), 2nd(1929), 3rd(1928), 3rd(1934), 4th(1930), 4th(1931),5th(1935), 7th(1932), 8th(1927), 8th(1938), 9th(1933), 9th(1939), 15th(1936),

Assists: 6th(1926), 8th(1928), 11th(1931), 12th(1934), 14th(1928), 14th(1933), 18th(1939), 19th(1930), 20th(1935), 22nd(1936), T-25th(1938),

Points: 1st(1926), 2nd(1929), 4th(1934), 5th(1928), 6th(1930), 7th(1931), 8th(1937), 9th(1933), 10th(1935), 10th(1938), 15th(1939(, 17th(1932), 17th(1936), 18th(1927)


Long-Term Percentages
From 1926-1940 (career), Nels Stewart is 1st in goals(141% of 2nd place Morenz), 4th in assists(93% of 2nd place H.Smith in 6 more games), and 1st in points(123% of 2nd place Morenz).

He is 2nd in GPG(only a 200+ less game Conacher is ahead), T-34th APG, and 6th in PPG(playing at least 150 games more than everyone ahead of him)

From 1926-1936 (10-year peak), Nels Stewart is 1st in goals(114% of Bill Cook in 25 more games), 8th in assists(77% of 2nd place Joe Primeau), and 2nd in points (1 less point than 1st place Morenz playing 12 more games)

He is 2nd in GPG (to Conacher who played over 100 games less), T-23rd in APG, 4th in PPG amongst 100+ game players(playing 100 or more games than everyone ahead of him except Morenz)

From 1926-1931 (5-year peak), Stewart is 2nd in goals(3 less than Morenz playing 7 more games), 8th in assists(80% of 2nd place Morenz), and 2nd in points(17 less than Morenz in 7 more games)





Changing the narrative on Stewart's 2 biggest "negatives":

There are generally 2 big knocks against Stewart. One, his skating and speed is often cited as being terrible (more on that later). The second is he was a zero sum player defensively. Somebody that should be viewed in the Bill Cowley or Gordie Drillon tier, which is about as bad as you can get. The following accounts should change that mindset to one degree or another. After going through the vast majority of available game reports here is what I unearthed about Stewart's abilities to play a strong defensive game from C/W.


Nels Stewart surprisingly good defensively throughout his Montreal Maroon days. Almost all of these quotes have not been brought forth previously:


Dec 2 1925: Montreal Gazette: Stewart called a power in defensive play at center ice
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"Babe Seibert established himself as the hero of the night along with Nelson Stewart. The playing of this pair was as effective as it was varied. Siebert, the aggressive type, a husky young who works diligently, speedily and fairly cleverly, while Stewart, though not so flashy, is absolutely finished in his play; tricky, deceptive in attack and a power in defensive play at center ice."


Dec 4 1925 Montreal Gazette: Maroon forwards noted for bottling up the speed of the Canadians before it could get going. Sounds like the Maroon forwards fore checked hard and played up aggressively against an elite squad, featuring Morenz.
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"Canadians offensive strength was in the brilliant individual efforts of Morenz and Billy Boucher the latter going through practically the entire struggle without rest and without penalty. This pair were dazzling in their speed, but they were too closely checked to get their combination play going. Montreal forwards played out for the Canadian rushes and as often as possible, checked Canadian's speed before it could get going."


Dec 17 1925: Montreal Gazette: Stewart again cited for defense
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"Nelson Stewart was conspicuous by his breaking-up of Pirate attacks, although he failed to score, he figured on the offense considerably."


Dec 24 1925: Montreal Gazette: Stewart and Reg Noble figured in continually stopping Pirates attacks
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"but the trickiest of play by such deceptive stars as Reg Noble and Nelson Stewart was as naught to this fighting aggregation. They stemmed attacks and carried the play to the other end, only to have to start all over again. And so the battle waged up and down the ice, with the crowd in an uproar as speed was pitted against a machine."


Jan 20 1926 Montreal Gazette: Stewart noted for great defense, poke checking many attacks away at center ice.
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"The Maroons set their great defense to work in the final period with a one goal margin in their favor. Nels Stewart poked many an attack to the boards at center ice."


Jan 26 1926 Montreal Gazette: Stewart steals puck from Simpson and passes out to Broadbent.
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"Mickey Roach substituted for Burch. Stewart cleverly robbed Simpsons and sending out to Broadbent, who steer the puck into the net, but the referee ruled offside."


Feb 3 1926: Montreal Gazette: Stewart noted as being strong point of Montreal defense, scores a SH goal and poke check was in great form
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"Montreal adopted different tactics from those used in previous games this season. The forwards did not chase the puck around the opposing goal with the same persistence, but rather fell back to meet the return rush. The switch gave Nelson Stewart an opportunity to star in a new role. After a rush, instead of chasing the puck carrier on the return journey back, Stewart immediately dropped behind to mid ice and awaited the rush. Attack after attack he broke up with his sweeping stick and a judicious use of his skates and body. His work as a strong point of the Montreal defensive bulwark."

"Munro drew the first penalty for elbowing Joliat. He had hardly climbed into the bench, when Nels Stewart stole the puck. The Maroon center swerved by Morenz, completely tricking the Canadian center and shot past Coutu to find the corner of the net. It was a brilliant play especially coming when the Maroons were short."

"With Siebert and Noble in the penalty box Montreal was sent on the defnsive. Montreal ragged and the crowd roared its disapproval. Nelson Stewart's poke check was greatly in evidence."


Feb 24 1926 Montreal Gazette: Stewart among multiple Maroon players who thwarted attacks.
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"The game was another fast, rugged contest. Players were spilled right and left as dash after dash ended against heavy body checking. Siebert, Stewart and Munro were deadly in dropping Ottawa attackers."

"Stewart was the same crafty leader. He held his own in attack and showed early willingness to get back with Broadbent and cover up the right defense, where Kitchen was filling Noble's place."

"The Maroon center was fairly scintillating in attack. He was tireless in his work and was of inestimable help to the Maroon defense."


Feb 27 1926 Montreal Gazette: Stewart, in a loss, cited for playing great defense despite being bottled up offensively.
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"Stewart was unable to accomplish on the offense, being constantly covered. He was doing fine work on the defense and was instrumental in stopping frequent rushes."


Mar2 22 1926 Montreal Gazette: Stewart, shifted to D in 2nd period, cited for strong pokechecking. FIRST ROUND OF PLAYOFFS
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
Holway's defense was not to strong in the opening period, so manager Eddie Gerard shifted Nelson Stewart to Dunc Monro's defensive post and he remained there until the end of the game. Stewart's poke checking stood out.


Mar 31 1926 Montreal Gazette: SCF Game 1, Stewart is a monster offensively, defensively, quoted as playing a fast game, etc
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"Stewart fairly towered over the pother players on the ice, and he was alone worth the victory which the local team scored in the game under eastern rules. The Victoria defensive was baffled by the rangy Maroon star. His crafty style of play was something new to them, and they failed to solve his tactics. This player, recently judged the most useful man to his club in the NHL accounted for two goals, the first and last of the game, and both tallies were out of the ordinary. The first, which came after two minutes of play in the initial period was a novel counter, the like of which is seldom witnessed in hockey. Stewart cleared a Victoria rush from close to Benedict's cage. He rushed through the Victoria players at mid ice with long swerving strokes and when he reached the defense, poked the puck through Loughlin. Stewart attempted to round the Victoria captain and defenseman but was spilled face down and full length on the ice....."

"Stewart's second goal came in from the third period less than four minutes from the end of the game. He cleared a rush by Frederickson and started for the Victoria end. He tore down the right wing and Babe Siebert flashed up on the left. At the defense Stewart gave Siebert the puck. The hero of Montreal's league title victory rushed in until almost even with the Victoria net. Stewart was following in fast on the cage and Siebert whipped him a pass. The Maroon star took it in full flight and did not give Holmes a chance to act against the flip from 2 feet out. It was a beautiful play."

"Seibert, Stewart and Broadbent rushed in turn. Then Stewart came down in a tricky rush through center. He evaded the Victoria outer guard, and then slipped the puck past Loughlin. He attempted to recover the disc, but fell. While sliding along the ice, face down, Stewart reached out with his stick, and pushed the puck behind Holmes, who had rushed out from his net to clear. The trick, a novel one, was done in two minutes."
"Frederickson made gallant efforts to get through the Maroon defense. He hit them from every angle and at every pace but Noble and Stewart kept him out. Benedict was having a soft time in the Maroon net."

"Stewart intercepted Fraser's pass to Hart and a dangerous rush by the westerners was wrecked. Stewart and Phillips took play to Holmes net, where they were joined by Dinsmore. All three started to snipe at the Victoria goalie but were thwarted by the brilliant play of Holmes."

"One of the smartest plays of the night brought a third goal Montreal about five minutes before the end of the game. Stewart cleared when Frederickson fell in rushing. The Maroon start tore down right wing. He gave Siebert a pass. The latter rushed in and whipped the puck back to Stewart at the goal mouth. Traveling like lightning Stewart gave Holmes no chance to save. The time was 16:10."


Apr 2 1926 Montreal Gazette: SCF Game 2, Stewart again dominates up and down the ice. But he is playing as a defensemen here.
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"The big Maroon start is still an enigma to the Cougars. He has tricked them with such a variety of stunts that they hardly know what to expect. In the first game he slipped the puck through the Vic defense and rounded them to score the first goal while prone on the ice. Last night he rushed to the defense, but instead of around, he crashed between them. Still half off balance from the impact, Stewart kept to his purpose and blazed the puck past Holmes for goal number one."

"Stewart, teaming with Noble, was strong defensively and the biggest threat up forward."


Apr 7 1926: Montreal Gazette: Stewart has another monster game clinching the Cup for the Maroons. Again, Stewart is paired with Reg Noble on D. Cited for stealing the puck from Frank Foyston which directly led to a goal.

Nov 19 1926 Montreal Gazette: Stewart steals puck
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"The ice was sticky for the third period. Langlois got the first rush but shot from outside and Benny easily smothered the drive. Stewart took the puck away from McKinnon near the NY goal but shot wide."


Dec 31 1926 Montreal Gazette: Stewart described as tower of strength defensively, while constantly hooking checking attackers
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"Dutton almost broke the boards with a drive as the second chapter opened, but the shot was high. Holmes cheated the same player, a minute later. Stewart intercepted a pass, but had no one with him."

"Benedict got Gordon's shot and then spilled in his net to block a drive off the rebound. He was faultless in his work every minute. Stewart was a tower of strength defensively as well as offensively, hook checking the puck away from the puck carriers time and again at center ice."


January 26th 1927 Montreal Gazette:

Feb 11th 1927 Montreal Gazette: Stewart's hustle and smart defensive play saves likely goal
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"A spectacular stop by Worters deprived Punch Broadbent of a seemingly certain goal while Milk's and Carson languished on the side lines. McCurry retrieved the puck on Worters clearance and flanked by Drury, piled through wildly. Either Corsair might have tallied on the thrust had not Stewart hustled his frame across the glaze to sweep Drury's path and whirl the disc to a corner."


Feb 18th 1927 Montreal Gazette Stewart playing solid defense opposite of Frank Boucher, breaking up multiple rushes.
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"The teams started off at a rapid pace and after several rushed by both sides Nels Stewart took a pass from Dutton and sent a sizzling shot past Chabto fro the first counter in 3:55. This stimulated the Ranger forwards but they could not penetrate the Munro Dutton defense. Frank Boucher and Stewart broke up several plays around center ice where most of the play was confined"


Feb 25th 1927 Montreal Gazette: Montreal forwards mentioned for aiding the strong Maroon defense
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"Noble had a pot shot from ten feet out, but Holmes outguessed him and saved smartly. At every threat the Maroons packed their defense, the forwards rallying to the aid of the defense."


Mar 9 1927 Montreal Gazette: Stewart praised for his demon like work ethic and toughness
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"Montreal were as splendid in defeat. Never have they played better this year. Stewart worked like a demon and he gave and took his bumps with a willingness that was surprising. He was frequently spilled to the ice, his face barked by the falls, but he always came up for more and was ever dangerous as such closely watched."

"When Broadbent went off for heavy work, Gange started the Canadians on a sortie, which Stewart finally cleared. He was again tripped by Gange at the Canadian defense."


Mar 11 1927 Montreal Gazette: Stewart mentioned for being part of an impregnable defense
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"Ottawa were trying to desperately score but Noble and Stewart, aided by Phillips and Siebert and Broadbent were impregnable on defense."


Nov 15 1927 Montreal Gazette: Stewart played magnificent and was hard working. Again noted speed
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"Stewart was playing a magnificent hard working game at center for the Maroons, but was being closely watched and heavily bodied. Stewart and Munro traveled fast in an attack on the Senator goal...."


Nov 23 1927 Montreal Gazette: Stewart dropping back and blocking a Ching Johnson attack
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"Ching Johnson had a try all on his own but Dutton charged him off before he could get his shot in. Ching kept on breaking through, but Nels Stewart dropped back and cleverly blocked him."


Nov 30 1927 Montreal Gazette In a 4-0 loss Stewart was only Maroon player who had any luck stopping Boston attacks. Noted as playing a strong physical came, checking anyone who got near him.
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"Shore tore and stumbled through for a shot and Gaynor tried on the rebound. Nothing could stop the Bruin attackers except occasionally Stewart's big body."

"Shore got apparently loose in front of the Maroon goal, but Stewart came from the side, and bodied him out of the picture. Bodying tactics were becoming common, and Stewart was doing a job on whoever came near him."


Dec 2 1927 Montreal Gazette: Stewart again dropped back to play D
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"Stewart had to drop back to the Maroon defense, along with Dutton."

"Maroons were playing a sound back checking game to smother Ranger rushes as the final period reached the half way mark."


Feb 1 1928 Montreal Gazette: Stewart raced back to bowl over Frank Boucher who was about to let a shot rip from point blank range
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"Frank Boucher wriggled his way through, but Nels Stewart raced back and bowled him over as he was about to shoot only a few yards from the cage".


Jan 23 1929 Montreal Gazette: Stewart singled out with 2 others for backing checking and poke checking brilliance. Stewart was on the LW in this game.
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"Stewart, Smith and Ward while working so dangerously on offensive also saw to it that there was no Couger retaliation. They back checked and poke checked so successfully that they had the Detroiters completely tied up. The Cougars couldn't move."


Feb 20 1929 Montreal Gazette: Stewart and Hooley Smith singled out for great poke checking efforts. Nels is still on the wing here.
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"Being out in front, the Maroons centered their efforts chiefly upon preserving their lead, which brought out some of the uncanniest poke checking ever seen here by Nels Stewart and Hooley Smith. The Americans drove down in three, four and finally five man attacks but nearly always great stick work by Smith and Stewart would sweep the puck away from them to pull their attempts to score up short. The crowd was almost delirious with excitement as the wonderful defensive tactics of the Montreal players baffled every effort t drive the disc into the net for the tying goal."


Nov 27 1929 Montreal Gazette: Stewart back at C, cited for back checking like a fiend.
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"Ward and Stewart played bang up games tonight. Big Bels was in on everything and back checked like a fiend."


The Calgary Daily Herald – January 19th said: (pulled from Dreak's bio)

It was a somewhat mild encounter, with the heavy checking of Hooley Smith and Nels Stewart smothering Ottawa attachs in the centre area.​

Feb 12 1930 Montreal Gazette: Stewart was a "COLOSSUS" with noted back checking efforts and great passing.
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"Big Nelson Stewart stood out like a colossus last night. He backed checked effectively, fed his mates with passes, and when opportunities were presented him, made no mistakes. Both his goals were characteristic of him. The first Maroon goal of the game was propelled with mighty force in Stewart's quick shot fashion to beat Roach cold. John Ross never moved his stick on a low drive to the corner. Nelson's second goal, Maroon's fourth of the game, saw the big fellow pounce in on his own rebound to toss the puck high into the corner of the net. Stewart's goal getting average rose appreciably higher last night. Besides his two tallies, he gave a pair of assists, one to Seibert and the other to Smith."

"Smith, Stewart, and Siebert came on after about five minutes of the third period had gone, and at once achieved the double task of stemming the desperate Hawks attempts to score and of giving their own team an additional margin of safety by adding a second goal."


Jan 21st 1931: Ottawa Citizen: Stewart and Smith cited for playing well and poke checking many Leaf attacks in a loss
Ottawa Citizen - Google News Archive Search
"Stewart and Smith played well on their poke checking breaking up many a dangerous Leafs attack"


Feb 10 1932 Montreal Gazette: Stewart knocks player out of game with huge hit at center ice. He's 30 by this point.
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
"The game was no pink tea affair, however. The lusty lads on both sides were handing out old fashioned body checks which, on more than one occasion, saw the victim decorate the ice with his prostrate form. Nels Stewart doubled up Wildor Larochelle with a bone rattling body check in center ice in the first period and they helped Wildor off with his feet dragging behind him, no to appear again well until the middle session was well on its way."







Was Nels Stewart a pylon?


Debunking the myth that Stewart was slow as molasses throughout his career. What I've found should certainly change the mindset as he was described as anything but slow, at the very least, throughout his Montreal Maroon days.


Toe Blake flat out refutes the notion/stereotype that Stewart was a slow skater:

The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Beliveau has often been likened to the late Nels Stewart. Toe Blake was asked if Stewart was a slow skater, as has been alleged.

"I've heard that and it wasn't true," he said. "You couldn't catch him from behind. He didn't look to be going fast because he took those long strides. Beliveau is like that, too."

Mar 31 1926: Montreal Gazette: SCF Game 1 Stewart was amazing. Defense, Scoring, Speed. "Rushed through the Victoria players at mid-ice with LONG, SWERVING STROKES". Sounds A LOT like what Toe Blake described above, doesn't it???

Same game: "He tore down right wing"....."Stewart was following in fast on the cage"

Same game: "Traveling like lightning".....lightning is pretty fast

Nov 26th 1927 Ottawa Citizen: Stewart and Siebert noted making a "speedy" rush

View attachment 98527



Nov 26 1930 Montreal Gazette: Stewart shows great speed and then makes a great drop pass to Siebert who scores. "Sped down center" sounds like he was moving pretty darn fast....

Jan 26 1931 Montreal Gazette: Stewart scores game winner of full length of the ice rush. "Speeding abreast the length of the ice" wouldn't be used to describe a slow skater.

Dec 1st 1933 (Stewart would be 31 years old now, so well past his prime)

Ottawa Citizen - Google News Archive Search

"Nels Stewart appeared with the familiar black cap. He has lost a great deal of his speed, but is still a dangerous customer around the inner defense."

Kind of hard to lose A GREAT DEAL of speed if you didn't already posses it in the first place. Based on all my findings the speed stereotype surely came about from his Boston and NY days, certainly not from his time in Montreal which was his peak and prime.





Nels Stewart's resume on the LW. He's got more than seasons worth of time spent at LW:

52 game reports below with 30 goals scored over that time frame which would be a 47 goal pace over 82 games.


Dec 28th 1927 - Stewart LW (1 goal)
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Jan 6th 1928 - Stewart at LW (1 goal) - Ottawa citzen cleary says Nels Stewart would be LW while box score Pitt Post Gazette listed him as a sub.
Ottawa Citizen - Google News Archive Search
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Jan 15th 1928 - Stewart LW (2 goals)
The Pittsburgh Press - Google News Archive Search

Jan 18 1928 - Stewart LW (no stats)
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Jan 20 1928 - Stewart LW (no stats)
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Jan 27th 1928 - Stewart LW (1 goal)
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Feb 1 1928 - Stewart LW (no stats)
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Feb 8th 1928 - Stewart LW (1 goal)
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Feb 11th 1928 - Stewart LW (1 goal)
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Feb 12th 1928 - Stewart LW (1 goal, 1 assist) - noted as Maroons "huge wing"
The Pittsburgh Press - Google News Archive Search

Feb 17th 1928 - Stewart LW (no stats)
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Feb 22nd 1928 - Stewart LW (2 goals)
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Feb 29th 1928 - Stewart noted as Montreal LW
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Mar 2nd 1928 - Stewart LW (1 goal)
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Mar 7th 1928 - Stewart LW (1 goal)
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Mar 9th 1928 - Steart LW (no stats)
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Mar 14th 1928 - Stewart LW (no stats)
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Mar 23rd 1928 - Stewart LW (no stats)
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Nov 16th 1928 - Stewart LW (1 assist) - reconstructed assist, clearly described shows Siebert scoring off a pass by Nels
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Nov 18th 1928 - Stewart LW (2 goals)
The Pittsburgh Press - Google News Archive Search

Nov 21st 1928 - Stewart RW (1 goal) - interesting to see RW. Not sure, could be a typo. Ottawa Citizen just has him listed as wing
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Google News Archive Search
Ottawa Citizen - Google News Archive Search

Nov 23rd 1928 - Stewart LW/RW (no stats) - Ottawa paper lists him at LW, Pitt RW
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Google News Archive Search
Ottawa Citizen - Google News Archive Search

Nov 28th 1928 - Stewart LW (1 goal) - Hooley Smith called the Maroons "regular center" - Also, had 2 goals called back to offsides.
Ottawa Citizen - Google News Archive Search

Nov 30th 1928 - Stewart LW (no stats)
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Dec 2nd 1928 - No editions available. Would be no reason to assume Stewart was anywhere other than wing given his position before and after this date.

Dec 7th 1928 - Stewart LW (2 goals)
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Dec 9th 1928 - Stewart LW (no stats)
The Pittsburgh Press - Google News Archive Search

Dec 12th 1928 - Stewart LW (no stats)
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Dec 14th 1928 - Stewart LW (no stats)

Dec 16th 1928 - Stewart LW (no stats)
The Pittsburgh Press - Google News Archive Search

Dec 19th 1928 - Stewart LW (no stats)
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Dec 21 1928 - Stewart LW (1 goal)
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Dec 26th 1928 - Stewart LW (?) paper is in bad shape. Can't see who scored but can tell Stewart was LW
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Dec 30th 1928 - Stewart LW (1 goal) - Maroon forwads also noted for strong backchecking effort. Called "strong help to the defense"
The Pittsburgh Press - Google News Archive Search

Jan 2 1929 - Stewart LW (3 goals)
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Jan 4 1929 - Stewart LW (no stats) - noted poor game/lacksadiscal after a "bad penalty"
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Jan 6 1929 - Stewart LW (no stats)
The Pittsburgh Press - Google News Archive Search

Jan 9 1929 - Stewart LW (1 goal)
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Jan 11th 1929 - Stewart LW (1 assist)
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Jan 13th 1929 - Stewart RW (no stats)
The Pittsburgh Press - Google News Archive Search

Jan 18th 1929 - Stewart LW (no stats)
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Jan 20th 1929 - Stewart LW (1 goal)
The Pittsburgh Press - Google News Archive Search

Jan 23rd 1929 - Stewart LW (no stats) - noted strong offensively and defensively
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Feb 20th 1929 - Stewart LW (no stats) - noted that he played extremely effective defense
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Feb 22nd 1929 - Stewart LW (no stats)
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Feb 24th 1929 - Stewart LW (2 goals)
The Pittsburgh Press - Google News Archive Search

Feb 27th 1929 - Stewart LW (no stats)
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Mar 6th 1929 - Stewart LW (1 goal)
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Mar 10th 1929 - Stewart LW (no stats)
The Pittsburgh Press - Google News Archive Search

Nov 19th 1930 - Stewart LW (no stats) - Stewart one of the few Maroon players who showed up well despite being shut out
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Nov 21st 1930 - Stewart LW (no stats)
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Dec 24th 1930 - Stewart C/LW? (2 goals) - Listed in lineup card as C but called big left wing in the game report.
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Other references of Stewart on the wing: (from Leafs Forever bio in 2011)

Nels Stewart, Montreal Maroon Left Winger, is leading all scorers in either section of the National Hockey League...- The Border Cities Star, Dec 4, 1928

....came off the stick of Stewart, Maroon wingman....-Ottawa Citizen, Jan 28, 1931

Stewart, high scoring left wing of the Montreal Maroons, is now the undisputed scoring leader of the Canadian section of the national hockey league- New York Times, Mar 12, 1929

Nels Stewart, Montreal Maroon left winger, is leading all scorers in either section of the National Hockey League.- The Border Cities Star, Dec 4, 1928

Nels Stewart, high scoring left-wing of the Montreal Maroons, is now the undisputed scoring leader of the Canadian section of the National Hockey league- New York Times, Marc 12, 1929

Nels Stewart, big Montreal Maroon left winger, has been a powerful factor in leading his club in (word cut out) rush from a lowly position to top most position in the National Hockey League race.- The Pittsburgh Press, Dec 7, 1928

Stewart noted as tantalizing stick handler, as well versatile, specifically left wing here:

View attachment 98535​

Stewart picked as the first team AS LW

A writer picks his all-star teams for the first half of the 1928-29 season picked Nels Stewart as the first AST LW. Here is what the writer said about him(credit to TDMM for the find):

"a big man, dangerously rough at times, a very hard man to check, and one of the most finished players around the goal. In one game at Montreal I saw Stewart back-check like a most enthusiastic rookie, but after his team had scored two goals, he assumed his careless manner, merely standing around until someone brought the puck up to him... must drive a manager frantic... but when bearing down, he is the best left wing in the game."


​

Odds and ends for Stewart:


Dec 4 1925 Montreal Gazette: Stewart has huge game vs Howie Morenz and the Canadians. Cited for matching Morenz's speed with cleverness and cunning. Goal scoring and passing brilliance.

Maroon forwards noted for bottling up the speed of the Candians before it could get going.

Nels Stewart was the spectacular player of the evening.

Dec 24th 1925 Montreal Gazette: Stewart and Reg Noble figured in continually stopping Pirates attacks.

Jan 13 1926: Stewart has huge game. Bags 4 goals. Highlights of his stickhandling ability.

Jan 20 1926 Montreal Gazette: Stewart noted for great defense poke checking many attacks away at center ice.

Jan 26 1926 Montreal Gazette: Stewart steals puck from Simpson and passes out to Broadbent

Feb 10 1926 Montreal Gazette: Stewart outstanding, great combination work with wings

Feb 19 1926 Montreal Gazette: Stewart with another brilliant game.

Feb 24 1926 Montreal Gazette: Stewart called smartest player in pro hockey

Same game: Stewart among multiple Maroon players who thwarted attacks

Same game: Again, Stewart singled out for his back checking efforts

Same game: Stewart called out for his tireless work and defensive contributions

Feb 27, 1926 Montreal Gazette: Stewart, in a loss cited for playing great defense despite being bottled up offensively

Jul 13 1932 Lewiston Daily Sun: Stewart called best inside player in game

Apr 3 1954 The Manitoba Ensign: DAL MacDonald calls Stewart the best scoring center he ever saw

Nov 12 1930 Montreal Gazette: Maroons shut out but Stewart still cited for hard working efforts

Nov 26 1930 Montreal Gazette: Stewart shows great speed and then makes a great drop pass to Siebert who scores

Dec 3 1930 Montreal Gazette: Nels Stewart cited for a nice pass to Hooley Smith who scores.

Dec 26 1930 Montreal Gazette: Stewart and Hooley Smith brilliant combination work nets a goal

Jan 26 1931 Montreal Gazette: Stewart scores game winner of full length of the ice rush. Speed shown and debunks the myth that Stewart couldn't skate or just stood in the slot

Nov 19 1930 Montreal Gazette. Stewart mentioned as showing up well despite Maroons losing 3-0

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Nov 25 1938 Montreal Gazette: Stewart creates goal due to good fore check

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Dec 19 1938 Montreal Gazette: Stewart noted "coming in fast" scores backhand goal
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Dec 6 1933 Montreal Gazette: Stewart assist

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Dec 19 1933 Montreal Gazette: Stewart big game with goal from behind net, using long reach.
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Dec 3 1930 Montreal Gazette: Stewart makes a nice pass/assist to Hooley Smith who scores
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Nov 26th 1927 Ottawa Citizen: Stewart scores a spinning backhander
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Poor games noted below:

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Feb 8 1928, Montrela Gazette, Stewart distinctly off, nothing would go right for him but nothing specific mentioned.

Feb 27 1928 Montreal Gazette, Stewart had poor game, Larry Aurie continually leaving him behind on rushes.

Click to read more...

 

[Killion]

... My God Import/Export.... quite the wall of text....
nicely done... I take it you now appreciate Nels Stewart huh?

 

[VanIslander]

Nels Stewart was phenomenal in his first 5 seasons, then his career was mediocre.

I've always thought he BECAME slow and lazy.

There are tons of references to his lack of speed.

Stan Fischler, for example:

He was slow but deadly with the stick and tremendous around the net.

We Are the Rangers

 

[ImporterExporter]

... My God Import/Export.... quite the wall of text....
nicely done... I take it you now appreciate Nels Stewart huh?

Thank you, Killion.

I certainly appreciate him now more than I did because the amount of information dug up is pretty substantial IMO. Especially when considering the time period.

 

[ImporterExporter]

Nels Stewart was phenomenal in his first 5 seasons, then his career was mediocre.

I've always thought he BECAME slow and lazy.

There are tons of references to his lack of speed.

Stan Fischler, for example:

We Are the Rangers

This is what I'm talking about with stereotypes, and it pisses me off to be honest.

Stan Fischler was born in 1932. I fail to see how he would have had any real life experience watching Nels Stewart considering Old Poison's career was mostly over by the time Fischler popped out of his mother. Not to mention Fischler is one of the all time great exaggerators and yellow journalists known for making a mockery of all time rankings. He writes one sentence and people use it as some sort of actual evidence without looking beyond the actual text itself.

 

[Canadiens1958]

Well done and extensive effort.

A few comments.

First five years have been referenced.Ironically this is coincides with the liberalization of the forward pass before the 1929-30 season. This deserves further study especially his Boston days.

First five years. From what I have read, the Maroons used ,mainly a team defence featuring zone coverage.

Boston years. Different responsibilities with Shore rushing. Someone would have to cover.Like with Orr rushing it would not be Esposito. This could be the genesis of Shore's comments.

Blake comparison to Beliveau. Leaves out the ability to shield the puck. Lost art today. Imagine Zdeno Chara with offensive skills and hands. With the reach advantage, catching the skater from behind would not be enough.

 

[ImporterExporter]

Well done and extensive effort.

A few comments.

First five years have been referenced.Ironically this is coincides with the liberalization of the forward pass before the 1929-30 season. This deserves further study especially his Boston days.

First five years. From what I have read, the Maroons used ,mainly a team defence featuring zone coverage.

Boston years. Different responsibilities with Shore rushing. Someone would have to cover.Like with Orr rushing it would not be Esposito. This could be the genesis of Shore's comments.

Blake comparison to Beliveau. Leaves out the ability to shield the puck. Lost art today. Imagine Zdeno Chara with offensive skills and hands. With the reach advantage, catching the skater from behind would not be enough.

Great points.

If you look at the Maroon teams and all the game reports I went over, Stewart and the team in general absolutely played a very zone (imagine him patrolling the neutral zone today with his huge frame and long stick) orriented system which made it tough for oppenents to even skate through center ice. You see a lot of references about Stewart sweep/hook checking players at mid ice, even going up against the greats like Nighbor and Morenz.

I'm working on getting a short term subscription to the Boston Globe to futher investigate those years in a Bruins uniform. There isn't much in the way of free access, unless you get the sporadic reports from games against Montreal which don't tell us much. Believe me, I've looked haha.

Pretty sure I have a handful of quotes stashed regarding Stewart's elite ability in shielding the puck from opposing players. I'm quite confident he was the premier player in his day regarding that skill. He was nearly impossible to knock off the puck and he was a master stickhandler to boot.

 

[57special]

Sounds like he had some things in common stylistically with F. Mahovlich. He was often accused of being lazy, or slow due to the length of his strides, when in fact he was one of the fastest players in the league. Beliveau was similar, though he was never accused of being lazy.

 

[ImporterExporter]

I have little doubt Stewart slowed down as he aged (like most players).

Here's a direct quote that not only makes that pretty clear but also, in the same breath, shows Stewart once possessed great speed.

Dec 1st 1933 (Stewart would be 31 years old now, so well past his prime)

Ottawa Citizen - Google News Archive Search

"Nels Stewart appeared with the familiar black cap. He has lost a great deal of his speed, but is still a dangerous customer around the inner defense."

Kind of hard to lose A GREAT DEAL of speed if you didn't already posses it in the first place. Based on all my findings the speed stereotype surely came about from his Boston and NY days, certainly not from his time in Montreal which was his peak and prime.