ATD2020 Bio Thread

[Dreakmur]

Anatoli Firsov !!!

If the opponents treated me fairly, I never touched them. But if they played dirty, I always kept my stick on the level of their teeth.

International Awards and Achievements:
3 x Olympic Gold Medalist (1964, 1968, 1972)
6 x World Championship Gold Medalist (1965, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1971)

Olympic MVP (1968)

3 x IIHF Best Forward (1967, 1968, 1971)
5 x IIHF All-Star Team (1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971)


International Scoring Accomplishments:
Olympic Points - 1st(1968), 7th(1972)
Olympic Goals - 1st(1968)
Olympic Assists - 3rd(1972)

World Championship Points - 1st(1967), 1st(1969), 1st(1971), 3rd(1970), 6th(1965)
World Championship Goals - 1st(1967), 1st(1969), 1st(1971), 7th(1970), 8th(1965)
World Championship Assists - 1st(1967), 1st(1970), 2nd(1971), 6th(1965), 9th(1969)


Domestic Awards and Achievements:
9 x Soviet League Champion (1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973)
5 x European Cup Champion (1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973)

3 x Soviet League MVP (1968, 1969, 1971)

5 x Soviet League First Team All-Star (1964, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969)
Soviet League Second Team All-Star (1971)


Domestic Scoring Accomplishments:
Points - 1st(1966), 2nd(1967), 2nd(1968), *3rd(1964), 4th(1965), *5th(1969), *5th(1970), 7th(1963), 9th(1973), 10th(1972)
Goals - 1st(1966), 2nd(1967), 2nd(1968), 3rd(1964), 3rd(1973), 5th(1969), 5th(1970), 8th(1965)
Assists - 1st(1965), 2nd(1968), 3rd(1966), 9th(1972), 10th(1967)

1964 - no player has assist totals
1969 - some players have assist totals, but Firsov does not
1970 - some players have assist totals, but Firsov does not


Batis did a statistical comparison where he combined all international scoring from each season - from 1965 to 1989 - and compared those totals to the average total of scorers 2 through 10. The methods can be seen in this thread.

The 5-year average for some of the top players:
1. Sergey Makarov: 154.4
2. Anatoly Firsov: 153.5
3. Valery Kharlamov: 147.6
4. XXXXXXXXXX: 145.6
5. XXXXXXXXXX: 144.7
6. Boris Mikhailov: 144.1
7. XXXXXXXXXX: 140.7
8. Vyacheslav Fetisov: 119.1

Batis also did a deep dive into the Soviet Player of the Year voting. He compared the voting shares of the top forwards in this thread.

Soviet Player of the Year voting shares:
3-year average
1 Anatoly Firsov 0.769
2 Sergey Makarov 0.747
3 XXXXXXXXXX 0.630
4 Valery Kharlamov 0.628
5 XXXXXXXXXX 0.592
6 Boris Mikhailov 0.434

5-year average
1 Sergey Makarov 0.660
2 Anatoly Firsov 0.594
3 Valery Kharlamov 0.522
4 XXXXXXXXXX 0.516
5 XXXXXXXXXX 0.469
6 Boris Mikhailov 0.358

7-year average
1 Sergey Makarov 0.551
2 Anatoly Firsov 0.451
3 Valery Kharlamov 0.440
4 XXXXXXXXXX 0.388
5 XXXXXXXXXX 0.383
6 Boris Mikhailov 0.316​

Tarasov always admired Firsov, and together they were a fortunate combination. They both valued hockey above anything else in their lives. For them, hockey was where you could be creative and invent new strategies every day.For Tarasov, Firsov's total dedication to hockey was backed by a unique combination of abilities. Firsov's style of play was based on his speed in several aspects of the game. The first was his ability to think fast. Firsov's game was a continuous flow of actions. In tough situations, he got his bearings instantly and came up with the most unexpected solutions. He also displayed uncanny speed in executing any technical maneuver in handling or passing the puck. And finally there was his terrific skating speed.

Each of these abilities compounded the others. During a play, his thoughts and actions were synchronous and usually resulted in a complete and correct solution. Firsov's game on the ice consisted of a blend of his own peculiar manner of back and forth skating, stickhandling and sudden and covert passes topped of with a variety of shots on goal. He moved all the time without knowing it, even when taking a shot on goal. He was especially good at the trick of "losing" the puck by letting it slide towards his foot. Naturally the opposing defenseman would make a grab for it, but Firsov would pass the puck with his skate up to the blade of his stick, all the time picking up speed.

No one was as selflessly dedicated to hockey as Firsov or as hard on himself and fanatical in workouts. He even augmented the tough drills designed by Tarasov. Coming down the ice with the puck, he would perform a variety of hops, skips and jumps at the same time.

Of all the Russian players Seth Martin faced in the 1960s, none, he said, compared with Firsov. To Martin, he was the Gretzky of his time, a creative scoring machine. Firsov wasn't a big man but possessed a whiplash shot. An unselfish player, he enjoyed setting up goals as much as scoring them. The Soviet coaches had tried teaching their players a "skate-stick" feint. The player would pass his stick over the puck, as if missing it, and then, when the defending player went for it, kick it around him with the skate. Only Firsov would perfect it.

One of the best players in the history of Soviet and world hockey. Equally skilled as a playmaker and a finisher. A fine technician, he particularly stood out with his powerful and sudden slapshot, his fast skating and his perfectly honed dekes, including the feint 'skate to stick'. Had good vision of the ice and directed the attacks of his linemates impressively. He was masterful on his skates. A very clean player and a smart mentor for younger players.

The next torch-carrier of Soviet hockey was Anatoli Firsov. He was a forward and played from 1958 to 1974. Firsov was one of the best hockey players ever because of his brilliant skills and extremely hard slapshot. He also innovated many of the moves that today’s forwards use to beat defenders.

It is a common argument by proud Canadians that if Bobby Orr was not unable to play due to injury, the 1972 Summit Series would have been a much different story. Orr was at the prime of his career and the best in the world. Russia too was missing one of their biggest stars, if not their biggest: Anatoli Firsov

Firsov was perhaps faster than Kharlamov, who of course wowed Canadian audiences with awesome speed. It was Firsov's scoring exploits that helped establish the Soviet Union's dominance of the international hockey scene. Firsov, along with names like Vyatcheslav Sharshinov, Vsevolod Bobrov and Victor Populanov paved the ways for the powerfully awesome Red Army squads that would prove that they were the equals of the professionals in the National Hockey League.

In all fairness, by the time 1972 rolled around, Firsov was near the end of his career and was not the dominant player in Soviet hockey at that time. The torch had been handed to Valeri Kharlamov earlier in 1972 as Kharlamov led the Red Army to Olympic Gold. The Soviets believed that young hockey players were better because of their fitness level and biological clock, and almost as a rule would retire hockey players in their early 30s. That changed after the 1972 and 1974 Summit Series after they saw first hand the greatness Canadian aging stars like Gary Bergman or Gordie Howe.

Firsov likely would have been a part of the 1972 series had Anatoli Tarasov been the coach. Tarasov and Vsevolod Bobrov, who ended up coaching the 1972 team, were undergoing a power struggle at the time, and Bobrov was winning at that point and time. Firsov however was a staunch Tarasov loyalist, and refused to participate in the series against Canada. The official reason for his absence was injury.Anatoli Firsov never had the chance to prove to the world that he could play and excel against North American professionals. That's a shame because that means only a precious few saw perhaps the greatest Russian hockey player ever.

Anatoli Firsov also missed the 1972 Summit Series showdown between the Soviets and the NHL. He is of legendary status in Russian hockey. Some old time Russian observers will tell you he was the best ever. Legendary coach Anatoli Firsov was probably his biggest fan. Then again, he was also Tarasov's most dedicated disciple.

Known for his booming slapshot, Firsov might have rivalled Canada's Bobby Hull if he had been permitted to play in the NHL; enjoyed three straight Olympic gold medals from '64 to '72.

No one was as selflessly dedicated to hockey as Firsov or as hard on himself and fanatical in workouts. He even augmented the tough drills designated by Anatoli Tarasov. Coming down the ice with the puck, he would perform a variety of hops, skips and jumps at the same time.

He strengthened his body by choosing the roughest, toughest defense men as his opponents, Alexander Ragulin and Viktor Kuzkin.

Hockey fans appreciated Firsov’s professionalism that often helped him score eyebrow-raising goals, which was, for example, the case with one scored during the decisive match between the USSR and Canada at the 1968 Olympic Games in Grenoble. He managed to score a goal from a long distance without even looking at renowned Canadian keeper Seth Martin.

Being himself was Firsov’s trait that helped him to adequately perceive his skyrocketing popularity ratings in the 1960s, and that was especially thumbed up by his fellow players, fans and journalists.

Anatoli Firsov, the hard shooting Russian centre, played a strong, vigorous game, consistently setting up linemates Vladimir Vikulov and Victor Popupanov.

A perfect hockey player? To me Anatoli Firsov was one. Anatoli had it all. [...] That man (Firsov) was a shooter, skater, passer, playmaker. And he was tough - which was rare among the Russian forwards at the time. [...] A top player in every way; he had incredible vision.At his best, Kharlamov might have been a better 'solo artist' and a better dangler, but he lacks Firsov's skills in many other areas.

My teammates and I believed that Anatoly Firsov was the number one player in Soviet hockey, not only in his time but also in the history of our sport.

In my opinion Firsov was the best forward of the 1960s, even if you compare him with the Canadian professionals.

The most striking feature of Anatoly's game is speed. First of all, the speed of thought. Sometimes it seems to me that Firsov's game consists of a continous succession of brilliant thoughts: even in the most tense situation, he immediately orients himself and finds the most surprising solutions. Next the speed with which he uses this or that technical skill, passes or stickhandles. And then the speed of his feet. Put these three speeds together and they multiply. The way he thinks the game, there is no separation between the idea and the execution. He conceives synchronously with the actions and acts synchronously with the search for the right solution.

Both the NHLers and the Soviets have their own qualities. It would be difficult for the players to play on the team of the opponent. In my opinion the only Soviet players who wouldn't be at loss [switching to the NHL] would be Firsov and Starshinov.

Don't let him get started. Pressure him actively. Playing against Firsov is no joke. Vikulov's shot is not always on target, but Firsov can shoot and he knows how to give a sharp pass. Firsov is Firsov. He's a stronger player than his linemates.

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In the technique of Firsov and in his manner to play, all the best qualities of our strongest forwards seem to come together: the ability to change the direction and rhythm of the attack abruptly and unexpectedly peculiar to Boris Mayorov and the brilliant stickhandling and fine speed of Veniamin Aleksandrov.

Hockey is not just a game of strength, agility and speed, but also one of tactical prowess. And that's why Firsov is one of the best masters. (...) He's a clever and cunning fox who knows dozens of paths to the cherished goal. For every step you take, for every attempt you make to beat him, Firsov has a convincing answer, a witty reply and an unexpected feint.

Firsov was more often on the ice than anyone else and the demands on him were high. He was sent on when CSKA had the man advantage and he stayed on the ice when the team was shorthanded.

He went out on the ice and the stands immediately started to buzz in expectation of a goal.

An individual uniqueness in performing a cascade of feints, stickhandling, concealed passes, and of course his shots, trained to perfection and used variably depending on the game situation, but with the invariable outcome of a goal – all of this is what made Anatoly Firsov stand out even among the relatively small group of elite forwards from our country and others. Anatoly mastered all means of attack perfectly well.

A couple of generations of kids grew up wanting to play hockey because of Firsov and what he did on the ice. He was electrifying. His shot was unstoppable. All the tricks he did on the ice are unrepeatable.

Firsov might have been the best hockey player I've ever seen.

Russia have always had great players , but the best I've seen, was no doubt, Firsov. He was just a brilliant passer! And had magical hands.

Creativity and Deception:

The partners on his forward line know him well, but even they can never say with certainty what he is going to do in the next moment. Therefore they always try to be ready. They're always waiting for his pass.

To me, the most outstanding feature of Firsov's talent is the speed of his actions and his decisions. And the way he covers and hides them. Approaching the opponent, he appears relaxed, perhaps even a bit sluggish, but in the next instance he explodes and turns into a passionate and fierce athlete. These instant transformations are the feature of Firsov's talent that make him stand out...

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In his constant search. In his endless and inexhaustible creativity. In the constant and unique novelty of his decisions.

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Who understands a complex game situation better than Firsov? His shots – sometimes spectacularly powerful and sometimes cunning and stealthy – deceive every goaltender and his passes are perfect and unexpected. Even his smart linemates are often unaware of what he is about to do.

Puck Control:

Puck control? Both [Boston Bruins and the Soviet national team] are on par. Esposito and Firsov are exemplary.

If you look closely at Firsov you will notice that he always opts for a solution that is on the verge of a mistake. He rarely beats an opponent cleanly when he goes one against one and he often loses the puck over the course of a battle. But his strength is that he most often wins it back immediately. Occasionally Firsov loses the puck two or three or even four times during an individual battle. The reason is not a weakness in his stickhandling, it's his decision to make a direct, knife-like move towards the goal that leads him into a difficult spot. Without looking for a simple solution, he jumps straight into the risk and tries to slip through two or even three opponents at once. He wants to draw the main force of the opponent on him to make the job of his comrades easier. Of course, that approach doesn't allow him to count on simply outplaying the opponents. Firsov 'plans' to lose the puck, so to say, but at the same time he sets himself up to get it back quickly.

Put yourself in the position of the defenceman and try to imagine his attitude and psychology in the happy moment when he has stopped the attack and beat the forward. Now, as soon as he has won the puck, he must raise his head to see who to pass to and what decision to make. And because of that, he is forced to take his eyes off the puck for at least a split second... And that is exactly the moment Firsov anticipates to win back the puck.

Team Play:

On the second line [of CSKA] there were Leonid Volkov, Valentin Senyushkin and Anatoly Firsov. It's no secret that Firsov was individually the strongest player on that line. But the manner of Firsov's game is such that he never asks others to serve him. He gladly plays towards his comrades.

He never leaves a partner in trouble, he always comes to his rescue and always works for him. In order to make life easier for his partners, Firsov puts himself second.

Anatoly Firsov set records not only with the results he achieved but also with how devoted he was to the interests of his comrades.

This great master was demanding to himself and selfless towards his linemates in the game.

Shooting:

Both CSKA and the national team have frequently used Firsov as a defenceman, ususally when we have a powerplay. More than once have his shots from the distance reached the net. The high accuracy and power of Firsov's shots are explained by his magnificent technique, great strength of hands and the excellent development of his pectoral arch.

Goaltenders were afraid of his lethal slapshot. He shot the puck with such force and speed that it was not possible to follow it.

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Swedish hockey has a lot of experience in training goaltenders. As far as I know, there was only one player in amateur hockey who made the Swedish goaltenders tremble: Anatoly Firsov. Once he had unleashed his famous slapshot, the goalie didn't have time to blink before the puck was in the net. Sometimes I think how lucky I was that Firsov played on my team and I never had to face him as an opponent. I know that some goaltenders surrendered in advance and just closed their eyes when he swung his stick.

Unlike many current hockey players, he never used his famous shot blindly. Anatoly saw everything and took everything into account: the goaltender coming out and the position of the partners and the opponents. Depending on the situation, he could pause before shooting or put the puck on the stick of a linemate. Only the result remained the same: a goal was scored.

Firsov possessed the hardest slap shot in international hockey, as well as a quick and accurate wrist shot.

He was often used as the fourth forward and his slapshot was the best in Europe.

Toughness:

During the match, Firsov willingly takes on a tough battle. Lean and of medium height, he doesn't look like a giant but is inclined to demonstrate his colossal strength at any time.

He was tough – which was rare among the Russian forwards at the time.

True, he never had the appearance of a strongman, but only a few opponents were able to win a one against one battle against him and even then rarely.

Leadership:

He is an Olympic champion, four times champion of the World and of Europe, has won the championship of the USSR and is written and spoken about, but the glory has not spoiled him at all. This 'star' is the furthest from the disease of considering himself a 'star'.

This talented hockey player appears to already have learned and mastered everything, but he still approaches me and he asks me – I emphasize, he himself asks! – to raise the demands on him: to think up a new exercise for him and give him a new task.

We particularly appreciated Firsov for his ability to lead the team and rally the guys in difficult moments. He was the captain of CSKA Moscow and something of a playing coach.

Performing next to such a master as Anatoly Firsov, I discovered many intricacies of hockey in a new fashion. I developed a different and deeper understanding of the tactics of the game.

Anatoly Firsov was a good teacher. He supported Viktor and Vladimir very calmly, benevolently and tactfully. He did not boast with his experience but consulted both as his equals, and the two guys, especially the somewhat insecure Polupanov, literally flourished from the respect shown to them. (...) It is thanks to him that the young line with Polupanov and Vikulov grew by leaps and bounds.

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His passion [for training] infected many other players, especially the younger ones.

Firsov was easy to talk to and he was never rude to the youngsters.

Shut-Down Ability

During the Top-50 Non-NHL European project it was brought up by VMBM that Firsov not was on the ice for a single goal against during the 1969 WHC and only for one goal against during the 1972 Olympics.

This made me want to look at whether Firsovs ability to prevent goals against would be possible to see during the available games on youtube too. And it turned out that it was. In the available games with Firsov he was only on the ice for 1 goal against at even strenght (against Sweden in 1968) and 1 goal against while penalty killing (against West Germany in 1968). So all in all only 2 goals against during approximately 11 games. As a comparison the Mikhailov, Petrov and Kharlamov line was on the ice for more goals against during these games even if they only played in 4 of them.

If we add the remaining 8 games from the 1969 WHC which are not available on youtube and the 5 games from the 1972 Olympics to the 11 available games we see that Firsov only was on the ice for 3 goals against during a sample size of 24 games. So in my opinion we have a very good reason to believe that Firsov had some abilities which often helped him and his linemates to prevent the other team from scoring while he was on the ice.

Based on watching these games focusing on him I would personally say that one of Firsovs most important qualities when it came to prevent the other teams from scoring was his ability to help out his defencemen with the transition from defence to offence by giving them support along the boards and make great passes from his own zone. Firsov also had the ability to use his stickwork to steal pucks from his opponents and regain puck possession for his team. Firsov was also a player who was not afraid to get his nose dirty. He was a hard worker along the boards both offensively and defensively and he was most of the time very responsible on the backcheck when he had to cover up for when some player had been caught out of position.

To add to what I wrote above I would say that the main reason for Firsovs low goals against numbers is that he could tilt the ice so much in his teams favour with a combination of his ability to keep puck possession for his team and his ability to steal the puck back when his team did not have possession of it. Before someone brings up that Firsov never proved that he could do this against the best the NHL had to offer let us remember that Firsov in these 11 available games on youtube was in on less goals against than the Kharlamov-Petrov-Mikhailov line was in on even if they only played in 4 out of those 11 games. And that line very much showed that they could more than hold their own against the best the NHL had to offer.

Additionally I have worked on looking at Firsovs R ON/R OFF during the available footage and while that post is not quite ready yet I can already say that his results there are extraordinarily strong. Especially his importance to the Soviet team in the games against their two strongest opponents Czechoslovakia and Sweden. In the 6 available games against those two teams Firsov had an 6:1 ratio at even strenght while his team actually was outscored when Firsov not was on the ice with a 8:10 ratio at even strenght. It is also worth noting that 4 out of the 6 available games against Czechoslovakia and Sweden are from the 1969 and 1970 WHCs which means that the Kharlamov-Petrov-Mikhailov line stands for a big part of Firsovs R OFF in those games.

Here is the beforementioned quote from VMBM which suggests that Firsov most likely had exceptional R ON/R OFF numbers even beyond the available footage.

According to a Finnish sports book, the Soviets did not allow a single goal when Firsov was on the ice at the 1969 World Championships (USSR allowed 23 goals in the tournament). And according to the same book, the Vikulov-Firsov-Kharlamov-Tsygankov-Ragulin unit allowed only 1 goal (and scored masses) at the 1972 Olympics, and Firsov had very much a defensive/playmaking kind of role in the tournament.

Penalty killing:
Additionally Firsov was in my opinion one of the 10 best penalty killers among Soviet forwards. Here is the post about Firsov from the Soviet penalty killing study.

4. Anatoly Firsov

Ice time finishes: 1st at the 1967 WHC, 2nd at the 1969 WHC, Tied for 3rd at the 1964 WOG, Tied for 3rd at the 1968 WOG

Overall stats: 1 goal forward, 1 goal against over 17 min, 50 sec

Anatoly Firsov was such a talented, elegant and intelligent player that he at times could make playing shorthanded look like the easiest thing in the world. In this I include both his ability to play keep-away with the puck and his ability to pick the pocket of the opponents. Based on the available sample I would also say that Firsov just like Starshinov probably belongs among the very greatest Soviet forwards of all time when it comes to killing penalties 3 on 5.

Firsovs goal differential stats of 1 goal forward and 1 goal against over 17 minutes and 50 seconds of shorthanded ice time is also impressive and an indication of his ability to frustrate the opponents powerplay units with his combination of skating, stickhandling (both offensively and defensively), creative passing and hard work.

Click to read more...

 

[BenchBrawl]

Enjoy !

 

[ResilientBeast]

Reginald "Hooley" Smith C/RW
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The Intangibles

Unless otherwise stated all quotes are from the Globe and Mail

Dec 9 1924

"The work of Hooley Smith was closely watched and his smart stickhandlkng was justly praised, though the former Canadian Olympic player came in for considerable hooting for hjis apparent willingness to mix matters up"

Dec 28 1925

"And it was the not the Clancy-Boucher outer guard which was blocking the rushes so much as the sweeping sticks of Frank Nighbor and "Hooley" Smith, who smotherted rush after rush with their poke and hook checks at midice."

Feb 24, 1926

"Hooley smith stood out among players. This flash both on forward line and later in Boucher's place on the defense was the pivot of Ottawa's play. He was unfairly jeered at first, being blamed for Noble's absence, but his stellar performance gained him the esteem of all the fans"

Apr 14, 1927

"Hooley Smith and Hitchman came together Hitchman slugged the Ottawan across the ribs with his stick and started the wrangle that resulted in the Boston defenceman and George Boucher getting match penalities

Hooley Smith then put Oliver out and he and Shore went to the bat when the latter attempted to make amends for Oliver."

Jan 23, 1928

"Hooley Smith gave one of his best displays of the season for the Maroons at center ice. His sweeping poke check proved a worry for the Canuck speedsters throughout."

From Dreakmur's 2014 bio

When the gold-winning Granites returned from Europe, there was a frantic scramble among all NHL teams for the services of Dunc Monro, Harry Watson, and Smith, the “hockey geniusâ€. After a great deal of haggling, the Ottawa Senators finally managed to sign the dazzling young speedster. Smith joined the Senators in time for the 1924-25 season and was put on right wing alongside Frank Nighbor and Cy Denneny. It was a perfect fit! Smith’s soon-to-be trademarked hook-check combined with Nighbor’s legendary poke-check to form an impenetrable wall against enemy rushes.

Despite Smith’s obvious genius for the game of hockey, his early years in the NHL were marred by a tendancy to incur too many penalties. Most came in response to being baited by opponents.

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The new unit was a veritable wrecking crew. Stewart’s goal-scoring genius combined remarkably well with Siebert’s brute strength and body-checking, and Smith’s passing, speed, and defensive abilities.

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Smith was nasty with a capital “Nâ€, a devil with flair. He was a whizzer on the blades, a player you hated playing against but one who ultimately commanded your admiration.

Reginald “Hooley†Smith was a brash and belligerent and vexing to play against. After a game in the 1927 Stanley Cup finals, Sprague Cleghorn chased him out of a downtown Ottawa diner brandishing a ketchup bottle.

Forward Hooley Smith excelled at several facets of the game during his 17 years in the NHL. A prolific scorer, he retired in 1941 as one of the few skaters to reach the 200-goal mark. Smith was also considered a dogged checker and one of the most physically imposing combatants in the league.

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He debuted as a professional with the Ottawa Senators in 1924 and remained in the nation's capital for three seasons. Early in his NHL career he perfected a sweeping hook-check that stymied many opponents' offensive surges. When he was teamed with Frank Nighbor and Cy Denneny, his hook-check combined neatly with Nighbor's poke-check to give the Ottawa team an unrivaled defensive forward line. Smith didn't lose any of his scoring abilities, however, and so he developed into one of the game's most complete performers.

Smith was a talented and confident figure whose brashness on the ice got him into many hostile situations.

Reginald "Hooley" Smith was a wonderful hockey player in the 1920s and 1930s. A cocky player with a nasty streak, there was nothing that Smith could not do. He was described as a "hockey genius" and its easy to see why - a hardnosed winger/center who was an expert defensively (his trademark was his famous hook check) and explosive offensively. He had great speed and a temper with a short fuse.

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Smith spent 3 years in the nation's capital, often playing on a line with Frank Nighbor and Cy Denneny! Talk about a great line! Smith's job was to create room physically for his two great line mates, as well as play strong defensively. He also chipped in strongly offensively, but was criticized for taking too many penalties.

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The trio of Smith-Stewart-Siebert instantly became a hit. Siebert's big physical play, Stewart's goal scoring genius and Smith's speed and defense created as perfect a trio that ever played in the National Hockey League. The line is forever known as the "S" Line.

Right winger and “hockey genius†Reginald “Hooley†Smith began his career on the ice inconspicuously, as a member of the junior-level Parkdale Canoe Club of the Ontario Hockey League in 1920. Within a year, however, he was a member of the Toronto Granites and, in his first two seasons, he won two Allan Cups, given annually to the senior men’s ice hockey champions in Canada. Next on the docket was the 1924 Winter Olympics and, as a representative of Canada, he played in five games, scored 18 goals, and helped Canada take home the gold medal at the hockey tournament. After being drafted in 1924 by the National Hockey League’s Ottawa Senators, he gained a reputation as an amazingly talented player, being highly skilled in both his offensive and defensive capabilities. He was also known, however, for his cocky attitude and short temper.

Ultimate Hockey's 1935 Retro Selke Winner

Ultimate Hockey's Most Able Instigator of the 1920s

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[URL='https://imageshack.com/i/eu8k6mj'][/URL]​

Contemporary Articles:

Hooley" Smith and Clancy starred for Ottawa on the offensive, while Nighbor, of course, showed up well for the defensive...

Ottawa's defensive work, particularly the poke work of Frank Nighbor at center-ice, was finished and spectacular. Nighbor and Hooley Smith, the latter following the old master's methods, broke the heart of the Bruins by their stick work.

Hooley Smith and Frank Nighbor were once again the outstanding luminaries on the Ottawa front line and the pair of them have rarely turned in better displays. They poke-checked the Cougars dizzy from first to last, intercepted dozens of passes and worried every puck carrier from behind to such a good purpose that scarcely a Detroiter could get an open shot on the net.

The New York forwards were dashing into the attack but were being crowded off the puck before they could get set for a shot at the goal. The Americans were trying their best to play a combination game, but were making a terrible mess of it. Usually their passes were so far back that the line had to wheel about and start all over again. Frontal passes were covered by the Senators.

Hooley Smith stopped the entire American line single-handed and waded in for a drive which skidded along the ice to the skate of xxxxxxx...

Frank Nighbor of the Ottawas, who had been carded as a doubtful starter on account of an injury received at the Capital with Detroit on Thursday night, was the only casualty. Frank was put out of action in the latter part of the second period when his ankle was badly wrenched by Seibert (sic - he is actually referring to Babe Siebert), who had his stick caught in Nighbor's skate...

Hooley Smith was in his element. The favorite son of Balmy Beach revelled in the rough going. He took them all on one after another, missing only Benedict, and it cannot be said that any of his opponents took down the decision. Hooley's crouch-check and poke-check worked havoc with the Maroons all evening.

In Nighbors (sic) and Hooley Smith, one of the newer Senator players, Ottawa has two of the greatest hook checking players in hockey. Nighbors (sic) took Smith in hand when Hooley joined the Senators last fall and taught him the finer points of the sport, including the art of hook checking - stopping an opponent's progress on the ice by hooking both the player's skate and the puck with the hockey stick - and now Smith is claimed to be a faster checker than his teacher.

Hooley Smith was a tower of strength in front line defense, and a consistent menace on offense...

Hooley Smith was in his element. Like Nighbor, he used his poke-check to advantage and he swooped in for shots on xxxxxx with repeated regularity...

Hooley Smith and Frank Nighbor both had their poke checks working to perfection, to the mortification of the Maple Leaf forward line, who seldom passed this indomitible (sic) duo.

But how about Hooley Smith of the Ottawa Senators? Here's a chap who can cut his way to the net through the best of defenses. Nothing short of an injunction can keep Hooley off the first team.

Ottawa's assertion that the Senators are as strong as last year, despite the sale of Hooley Smith, XXXXX and XXXXX, was almost, but not quite, borne out in the play of the Senators. Smith undoubtedly is a stronger man at right wing than XXXXX, but XXXXX, the rugged youngster who has replaced Cy Denneny as regular left winger, has counter-balanced matters. This sturdy youngster caused even rabid Maroons fans to gasp through his fast, courageous play and he worked in smartly with Nighbor and Clancy. But Ottawa misses Hooley Smith's defensive play.

Montreal Maroons, Ottawas intense rivals again play Senators here tomorrow night in a setting that will eclipse all previous hockey demonstrations. Hooley Smith one of the greatest defensive players in hockey will be with the Maroon retinue.

Who in hockey has not heard of Hooley Smith, daring, dauntless and doughty, fearing no man, and accordingly to report few women, as John Bassett said at the banquet to the Senators last spring when they were acclaimed world's champions.

Smith, the daring chance-taker who makes more hazardous plays than any man in hockey, has twice been injured in recent games, and is playing with a fibre jockey cap to prevent head injuries. He has given xxxxxx the hockey attribute he has been seeking for years, a strong poke-check, and around his check and ability to stop headlong rushes by opponents, Maroons are building a mighty machine again...

Smith, of course, isn't the whole machine, though a strong cog. Any team that had Nels Stewart would think it well endowed in a scoring way. Stewart, rugged and rangy, whose vicious drive is the nemesis of many a goal tend, is now at left wing playing well. With Smith and xxxxxxx, he helps to work in a close-knit combination, and is particularly powerful in his body-checking propensities.

Rugged, fast, a great poke check and playmaker as well as possessing a personality which gives him confidence in himself to make a good fist of anything he tackles. Hooley hands out a ready body check as well and in an oratorical contest would probably finish number one of all the forwards in the league.

Hooley Smith was moved from defence to centre at intervals, and spent about 55 of the 70 minutes on the ice. He made plays, tested Gardiner with regularity and had his sweep check working finely throughout the game. He was a team in himself on the ice, a source of inspiration to his teammates and a source of of worry to the Hawks.

He signed a professional contract with Ottawa Senators shortly afterward and for years he and Frank Nighbor, the Pembroke Peach, formed an almost unbeatable barrier with their sweeping pokechecks.

 

[Dreakmur]

Johnny Bower !!!


Awards and Achievements:
4 x Stanley Cup Champion (1962, 1963, 1964, 1967)
3 x Calder Cup Champion (1951, 1953, 1956)

Retro Conn Smythe Award (1963)
NHL First Team All-Star (1961)

Hart voting - 2nd(1961), 7th(1962), 7th(1964), 9th(1965)
All-Star voting - 1st(1961), 3rd(1962), 3rd(1964), 3rd(1965), 3rd(1968), 4th(1966), 5th(1963)

3 x Les Cunningham Award - AHL MVP (1956, 1957, 1958)

5 x AHL First Team All-Star - (1952, 1953, 1956, 1957, 1958)
AHL Second Team All-Star (1951)

Statistical Accomplishments:
Save Percentage - 1st(1960), 1st(1961), 1st(1964), 1st(1965), 1st(1966), 1st(1967), 2nd(1959), 2nd(1962), 2nd(1968), 3rd(1963)
Goals Against Average - 1st(1964), 1st(1965), 1st(1966), 2nd(1959), 2nd(1961), 2nd(1962), 2nd(1968)

Play-off Save Percentage - 1st(1962), 1st(1963), 1st(1964)

AHL Goals Against Average - 1st(1952), 1st(1957), 1st(1958), 2nd(1948), 2nd(1951), 2nd(1953), 2nd(1956)

Ranked #87

Aside from a full season and bits of two more with the New York Rangers, Bower was a superb career minor-leaguer with a dozen minor league seasons to his credit. The Maple Leafs landed the genial Bower in 1958 as a 34-year-old sophomore and he would be a key contributor to four Stanley Cups.

Bower was hockey's Satchel Paige. Both men's real ages were open for debate, and both men amazed and dazzled fans and opponents alike with their ability to perform at an "advanced" age. After his discharge from the Canadian forces in 1945, Bower signed on with the AHL Cleveland Barons. He would spend the next eight years in Cleveland, cementing his place as the AHL's top puck-stopped.

The New York Rangers couldn't help but notice Bower. They acquired the golden oldie, a master of the poke-check...

He had been called the "ageless wonder." Playing in the goal, the position that is generally thought to be the most dangerous and demanding job in all of sports, Johnny Bower of the Toronto Maple Leafs was well into his forties and was still a first-string goaltender, even though by athletic standards, he should have been well past his prime.

....

Many felt that without Bower in the nets, the resurgence of the Leafs may never have taken place. He was the key to their success...

....

Regardless of how old he really was, Bower was a wonder in the world of hockey. He was still sprawling to stop shots, kicking deftly at pucks; he was alert and agile. Remarkably enough, he had the reflexes of a much younger man.

Bower would defend his goal with short, desperate moves from side to side, bent in his familiar crouch, bulky and alert. He played every workout, every game, like he was playing the seventh game of the Stanley Cup finals.

....

Johnny Bower was a fiercely competitive man who often played wracked with pain. He went all-out whether it was workouts, games, or Stanley Cup competition. Bower was agile and ageless and enjoyed a career of incredible accomplishments.

A stand-up goaltender who played the angles impeccably, Bower was a master of the poke check, a well-timed ploy he constantly practices in order to ensure he confounded shooters more often than not. His proficiency in this art evolved after some tutelage by Rayner in Bower's early days with the Rangers...

Bower was an ageless wonder, a marvellous athlete who displayed superb reflexes and agility against superstars such as Gordie Howe, Rocket Richard, Jean Beliveau, Bobby Hull, Andy Bathgate, and Bernie "Boom Boom" Geoffrion. And, don't forget, this was the pre-mask era, so Bower paid the price of many pucks and sticks to the face.

The always respected Bower established a reputation as a hard-working player who responded well to pressure - a money goaltender. The image of Bower at his best endures.

Though he played almost his entire career without a mask, Bower was an acrobatic netminder whose trademark move was to sprawl on the ice and break up plays with his devastating poke check.

During his years with Toronto he became known as "the ageless wonder" since his actual age was a topic of much speculation. Very competitive at all times, Bower took practice as serious as a game. The classic late bloomer, Bower's achievements were recognized with his induction to the Hall of Fame in 1976.

Bower remains the winningest goaltender in American Hockey League history, with a remarkable record of 359-174-57 to his credit. His 45 career shutouts are also more than any other AHL goalie, and his league record for longest streak without allowing a goal, shutting out his opponents for a span of 249:51, stood for 55 years until it was surpassed in 2012.

We're not worrying about Bower. This is a clutch game and that's when he plays his best.

When Johnny finally reached the NHL, there wasn't anybody who could show him anything new. Besides he had the perfect temperament for a clutch man.

TOP TEN CLUTCH MEN

1. Rocket Richard
2. Arnold Palmer
3. Johnny Unitas
4. Bernie Faloney
5. Yogi Berra
6. Johnny Bower
7. Terry Sawchuk
8. Bart Starr
9. Gump Worsley
10. Jean Beliveau

​

 

[Dreakmur]

Dave Keon !!!

Our goal is to win the Stanley Cup, or to die trying.

Awards and Achievements:
4 x Stanley Cup Champion (1962, 1963, 1964, 1967)

Conn Smythe Trophy (1967)

2 x Lady Byng Memorial Trophy Winner (1962, 1963)
2 x WHA Paul Deneau Trophy Winner (1977, 1978)

2 x First Team All-Star (1962, 1971)

Hart voting - 4th(1971), 6th(1963)
Lady Byng - 1st(1962), 1st(1963), 2nd(1964), 2nd(1967), 2nd(1971), 3rd(1965), 3rd(1970), 4th(1966), 4th(1969), 5th(1973), 6th(1972), 6th(1974), 10th(1980)

All-Star - 2nd(1962), 2nd(1971), 3rd(1963), 3rd(1964)

Offensive Accomplishments:
Points - 9th(1971), 10th(1964), 11th(1962), 12th(1967), 14th(1965), 15th(1966), 16th(1963)
Goals - 6th(1971), 8th(1962), 8th(1963), 11th(1970), 13th(1964), 16th(1965), 16th(1973), 17th(1966), 18th(1961)
Assists - 11th(1964), 13th(1962), 13th(1967), 14th(1965), 15th(1968), 19th(1963), 19th(1966)

Even Strength Goals - 7th(1962), 10th(1971), 12th(1963), 13th(1961), 13th(1970), 16th(1964), 19th(1965), 19th(1973)
Short-Handed Goals - 1st(1969), 2nd(1963), 3rd(1962), 6th(1971), 7th(1973), 8th(1970)

Play-off Points - 3rd(1963), 7th(1967), 8th(1964), 10th(1962)
Play-off Goals - 2nd(1963), 2nd(1964), 7th(1962), 9th(1967)
Play-off Assists - 7th(1967), 8th(1963)

WHA Points - 14th((1977), 20th(1979)
WHA Assists - 6th(1977), 13th(1979)

WHA Play-off Points - 2nd(1978)
WHA Play-off Goals - 9th(1978)
WHA Play-off Assists - 2nd(1978), 7th(1979)


5-Year Peak: 1962 to 1966
11th in Points, 70% of 2nd place Bobby Hull
8th in Goals, 79% of 2nd place Gordie Howe

12th in Even Strength Goals, 75% of 2nd place Frank Mahovlich
5th in Short-Handed Goals, 75% of 2nd place Don Marshall
6th in Game-Winning Goals, 65% of 2nd place Bobby Hull
8th in Play-off Points, 67% of 2nd place Bobby Hull

4th in Play-off Goals, 88% of 2nd place Gordie Howe

4th in Play-off Even Strength Goals, 81% of 2nd place Gordie Howe
1st in Play-off Short-Handed Goals, 133% of 2nd place Bob Pulford
2nd in Play-off Game-Winning Goals, 83% of 1st place Jean Beliveau

10-Year Peak: 1962 to 1971
10th in Points, 70% of 2nd place Bobby Hull
8th in Goals, 78% of 2nd place Stan Mikita

8th in Even Strength Goals, 73% of 2nd place Frank Mahovlich
1st in Short-Handed Goals, 128% of 2nd place Eric Nesterenko
5th in Game-Winning Goals, 83% of 2nd place Frank Mahovlich

13th in Play-off Points, 56% of 2nd place Jean Beliveau
4th in Play-off Goals, 65% of 2nd place Jean Beliveau

6th in Play-off Even Strength Goals, 72% of 2nd place Jean Beliveau
1st in Play-off Short-Handed Goals, 120% of 2nd place Derek Sanderson
5th in Play-off Game-Winning Goals, 75% of 2nd place Jean Beliveau

Ultimate Hockey's Best Penalty Killed of the 1960s

1965 Coaches' Poll
1st Fastest Skater
2nd Most Dangerous on Breakaway

1971 Coaches' Poll
1st Best Checker
2nd Best Penalty Killer
2nd Best Skater

Dave Keon's commitment to defensive play would become his trademark, as he set his sight on hockey's ultimate prize.

....

In 1967, Dave Keon again achieved that goal. Although many thought the Leafs well past their prime, Keon dominated the Stanley Cup playoffs, leading his team to victory.

....

Dave Keon learned early that, in hockey hard work pays off. As an NHL star, he applied those lessons every time he stepped on the ice.

....

Throughout his career, Dave Keon was unsurpassed in his dedication to the game. One of the most popular players ever to wear a Maple Leafs uniform.

Keon was a very fast skater and excellent stickhandler. He was not the aggressive type, as indicated by his penalty record, but he was a good clean checker.

Ranked #69

Only 5-foot-9, Dave Keon was one of the best two-way centers to grace the NHL. Keon spent virtually every night in his NHL career checking the opposition's top center, yet still scored 396 goals and 986 points over 18 NHL seasons.

A peerless face-off man and penalty-killer, Keon was one of the league's most gifted technicians. He played a grinding game yet accrued only 117 minutes in 1,296 regular season games - and average of one minor penalty every 22 games.

He won four Stanley Cups in 15 seasons with the Leafs, two Lady Byng Trophies, and, in 1967, the Conn Smythe Trophy.

Best Penalty-Killer

Dave Keon was a dogged but clean competitor with an incredible skating ability. The little guy's genius for the kill was never more prominent than in the 1967 playoffs.

It would be interesting to see how Dave Keon would perform in today's NHL. Given his size, he would no doubt be the sixth-round pick who achieves stardom by virtue of talent and dedication. "He's too small," the scouts might say before they were made to look like jabbering fools.

....

The little guy had also established himself as one of the NHL's top defensive forwards. He would later say, "If you can score three goals a game, you don't have to check. But I can't and no one else in this league can either. So you have to play well defensively to keep your job."

....

In his second season, Keon was the Lady Byng Trophy and helped lead Toronto to its first Stanley Cup win since 1951. The Leafs would win the Cup in 1963 and again in 1964. Keon would save his best for 1967, when Toronto defeated the Montreal Canadiens in the finals. Although he managed only eight points in 12 playoff contests, his defensive play, penalty-killing, and brilliance at taking face-offs were invaluable. Red Fisher would later remark, "I don't know any player who did as much damage to the Montreal Canadiens as Dave Keon."

The only thing Keon needed to hit was the enemy net, which he did well enough to keep him around the NHL for the better part of two decades. But Keon was more than a goal scorer. He always has been respected as a tenacious checker and leader.

In his own way, Keon was as tough and aggressive as his larger opponents. The difference was Dave's preference for playing within the rules. It would have been easier for Keon to compensate for his lack of size with an stick here or a grab there, but that was not Dave Keon. Between 1960 and 1981, he served a total of 111 minutes in penalties, a figure many players eclipse in a year. But for Dave it was easy since he had been Mister Clean since his early amateur hockey days in Canada.

....

So when Keon hit the ice in 1960 all eyes focused on the lithe youngster to see if he could handle the rough going in the pros. In his third game, Keon pumped in his first NHL goal ad by season's end he had scored 20, which, in those days, was the equivalent of a .300 batting average in baseball. Keon's play earned him the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year and prompted Imlach to concede that "in time, Keon may be as good as Henri Richard of Montreal." That was high praise indeed.

As Keon's career in Toronto progressed, it became obvious that comparisons were irrelevant. He distinguished himself among his teammates as a leader, a catalyst. He didn't wait for things to happen, he made them happen. The ultimate team player, Keon was the spark that ignited the Maple Leafs diverse mixture of talent.

....

Toronto went on to annex the Cup the following two years as well and then again in 1966-67, when Keon was voted the most valuable playoff performer. Keon, while establishing himself as one of the most dangerous two-way players in the league, played on four Cup-winning teams in his first seven seasons in the NHL.

Center Dave Keon always found a way to play well, and in the seventh game of the 1964 semi-finals versus Montreal he found a way to play superbly. It was the first time the Leafs and Canadiens had met in a seventh-game showdown in the postseason. Keon had not contributed much offense to the Leafs attack during the previous six games in the series, but he scored three times in the last contest.

....

Keon played the game in a clean fashion, yet he never shied away during a tough contest. He was a renowned checker who did not cheap-shot his opponents or use ugly stick work on them. When he did get a penalty, it seemed that a royal commission was going to be called to find out why. The opposition had to make a good play to beat the smooth, swift-skating Keon, who was always ready to pounce on a loose puck. If the Leafs needed a goal, Keon was more likely to score it than anyone on the team. He could score in a variety of ways: using a terrific backhand drive, a nice deke on the goalie, a snap wrist shot and, if needed, a hard, well placed slap shot that would handcuff the opposition netminder. Keon did all this while standing only 5'9" and weighing 165 pounds and checking the likes of Jean Beliveau, Stan Mikita, Norm Ullman, and other future Hall of Fame players on the opposing teams. In short, Keon's game was all about skill, speed, finesse and durability - all the attributes we were taught to value in our hockey heroes in those days.

Keon was the epitome of the offensive two-way hockey player, a fact acknowledged by the awards he was given: the Calder Trophy, 1961; the Lady Byng Trophy, 1962 and 1963; the Conn Smythe Trophy, 1967; league all-star, 1962 and 1971.

An excellent skater and stick-handler, as well as an aggressive checker who played the game tough but clean, Keon went on to star in the NHL and World Hockey Association for 22 years as a top two-way center.

While at St. Mike's, Keon was coached by the renowned mentor of the Canadian Olympic hockey team, Father David Bauer, who taught Keon an effective checking method for a player of his small stature. Keon learned his lessons well as his tenacious checking abilities became his NHL trademark.

....

Although he played in a gentlemanly way, Keon was always very intense and responded to the pressure of big games.

....

Perhaps his greatest moment came in the 1967 playoffs when he won the Conn Smythe Trophy after a tireless skating and checking performance against Chicago and Montreal. A gifted skater with a whirling style and great speed, Keon used his abilities to become a top penalty killer. He showed great desire in every game and set a fine example for his teammates. Keon was named captain of the Leafs in 1969.

Dave's strength has always been the things he can do when he doesn't have the puck.

Trying to move the puck past Keon was about as easy as shaking your shadow in the sunshine.

Keon is proof that it's not the size of the body but the size of the heart that counts in this game.

He played with bulldog tenacity - that's the only way he knew how to play the game.

Keon was that slick centreman who could forecheck the devil out of the opposing players. He'd knock the puck loose, then he'd take control, and he'd be equally good going the other way.

He was very interested in being an offensive player, but he cherished his defensive role and he probably did his defensive duties as good as anybody who ever played. He just did everything you needed to do to be a winner.

Dave Keon danced on his skates. He was the heart and soul of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

He came to play every night. He killed penalties. He skated miles and miles every night. Tireless!

I think Dave Keon performed more of the skills that it takes to be a top-notch NHL player better than any other player I've seen. He was a very bright player defensively. He could get the angle on you as a forechecker and you had nowhere to go.

He had than knack of killing penalties like a quarter-horse. He'd go in and you couldn't get by him. Great on draws. Good on scoring goals.

He was as good a checker as there was on the ice, and he checked with his head - not with his body, with his head. Always in the right place at the right time, eliminating a potential pass receiver, or eliminating the guy carrying the puck. You had to go through him. Great defensive hockey player.

This guy was a money player. The bigger the game, the bigger Dave Keon came up.

I always thought that Dave Keon was the biggest reason why the Toronto Maple Leafs won hockey games, why the Toronto Maple Leafs won Stanley Cups. Every time the Montreal Canadiens played the Maple Leafs, he was the guy they had to stop. He was the Montreal Canadiens killer. He would kill them with his speed. He would kill them with his offense. He would destroy them on some nights with the way he approached the game.

I always thought he would look marvelous in a Montreal Canadiens sweater, because he was the kind of player they were always looking for.

David was very careful about his game. Very careful in the sense that he knew how he wanted to play - he had a great threshold for himself. Maybe that's why he became as good as he did, because he pushed that threshold up.

....

He was demanding - demanding of you as a teammate and very demanding of himself. He didn't ask anything of you that he didn't ask of himself.

I don't think I ever saw him play a bad game. There was always something he could contribute to the team. If he wasn't scoring, he was shutting down the other big scorers. He was just the kind of player you needed to have to win.

....

I never thought of Dave Keon as being too hard on his teammates, particularly as a captain. He had a lot of pride. He had a lot of pride him his profession. I think he just wanted others to approach the game the way he did. For anyone that wouldn't follow someone like this, I think they have the problem and not Dave Keon.

If I had Dave Keon on my team, I'd pay him whatever he wanted.

Scouting Reports:

Skates effortlessly, super forechecker... Backhand shot is one of hockey's best...

Excellent skater, tenacious forechecker, wise playmaker... Instantly popular in Indianapolis where he took a regular shift, killed penalties, played the power-play and handled key faceoffs...

Expert playmaker and dogged checker... Reeks of class... Always rates as one of his league's most gentlemanly players...

 

[Dreakmur]

Brent Burns !!!


Awards and Achievements:
World Cup Gold Medalist (2016)
World Championship Gold Medalist (2015)

Norris Trophy Winner (2017)

2 x First Team All-Star (2017, 2019)
Second Team All-Star (2016)

2 x IIHF Best Defenseman (2008, 2015)

Norris voting - 1st(2017), 2nd(2019), 3rd(2016), 8th(2018), 12th(2008)
All-Star voting - 1st(2017), 2nd(2019), 3rd(2016), 8th(2018), 10th(2008), 12th(2015)

Offensive Accomplishments:
Points - 9th(2017), 11th(2016)
Assists - 5th(2019), 11th(2016), 11th(2017), 16th(2018)
Points among Defensemen - 1st(2017), 1st(2019), 2nd(2015), 2nd(2016), 2nd(2018), 9th(2020), 14th(2008), 14th(2011)

Play-off Points - 2nd(2015), 10th(2019)
Play-off Goals - 8th(2015)
Play-off Assists - 3rd(2015), 7th(2019)
Play-off Points among Defensemen - 1st(2016), 3rd(2019)

IIHF Points among Defensemen - 2nd(2010), 2nd(2015), 3rd(2008), 6th(2011)
World Cup Points among Defensemen - 4th(2016)


5 Year Peak: 2015 to 2019
16th in Points, 81% of 2nd place Patrick Kane
7th in Assists, 95% of 2nd place Sidney Crosby
8th in PP Points, 87% of 2nd place Claude Giroux

1st in Points among Defensemen, 111% of 2nd place Erik Karlsson
1st in PP Points among Defensemen, 106% of 2nd place Keith Yandle

1st in Play-off Points among Defensemen, 106% of 2nd place John Carlson


10 Year Peak: 2011 to 2020
24th in Points, 74% of 2nd place Sidney Crosby
16th in Assists, 78% of 2nd place Nicklas Backstrom
17th in PP Points, 70% of 2nd place Alex Ovechkin

2nd in Points among Defensemen, 95% of 1st place Erik Karlsson
3rd in PP Points among Defensemen, 88% of 2nd place Erik Karlsson

5th in Play-off Points among Defensemen, 93% of 2nd place Duncan Keith


Scoring Percentages:
Points among Defensemen - 112(2019), 106(2017), 100(2015), 100(2016), 100(2018), 74(2011), 74(2020), 70(2012), 66(2008)

Best 6 Seasons: 592


NHLPA Player Polls:
2018
4th Most Difficult Defenseman to Play Against

2019
3rd Best Defenseman

2020
5th Best Defenseman





Team Usages:
TOI per game – 1st(2011), 1st(2015), 1st(2016), 1st(2017), 1st(2018), 1st(2019), 1st(2020), 2nd(2008), 2nd(2009), 3rd(2010), 3rd(2012)

ES TOI per game – 1st(2011), 1st(2015), 1st(2016), 1st(2017), 1st(2018), 1st(2019), 1st(2020), 3rd(2008), 3rd(2012)

PP TOI per game– 1st(2008), 1st(2015), 1st(2016), 1st(2017), 1st(2018), 1st(2019), 2nd(2010), 2nd(2011), 2nd(2012), 2nd(2020), 3rd(2009)

SH TOI per game – 3rd(2011), 3rd(2012), 3rd(2015), 3rd(2016), 3rd(2018), 3rd(2019), 3rd(2020), 4th(2008), 4th(2009), 4th(2017)​

 

[Dreakmur]

Jonathan Toews !!!

A good captain plays his best game when his team needs him the most.

Awards and Achievements:
3 x Stanley Cup Champion (2010, 2013, 2015)
Conn Smythe Trophy (2010)

Frank Selke Trophy (2013)
Second Team All-Star (2013)

2 x Olympic Gold Medalist (2010, 2014)
World Cup Gold Medalist (2016)
World Championship Gold Medalist (2007)

Olympic Best Forward (2010)
Olympic All-Star (2010)

Hart voting - 4th(2013), 6th(2011), 9th(2014), 10th(2015)
Selke voting - 1st(2013), 2nd(2011), 2nd(2015), 3rd(2014), 4th(2010), 4th(2016), 5th(2017), 6th(2012)
All-Star voting - 2nd(2013) 3rd(2011), 7th(2014), 7th(2015), 7th(2016), 8th(2010), 8th(2017)

Offensive Accomplishments:
Points - 11th(2011), 13th(2013)
Goals - 5th(2013), 14th(2011), 16th(2009), 20th(2015)

Play-off Points - 2nd(2010), 4th(2015), 7th(2014)
Play-off Goals - 3rd(2014), 3rd(2015)
Play-off Assists - 1st(2010), 7th(2013), 8th(2015)

Olympic Points - 3rd(2010)
Olympic Assists - 1st(2010)

World Cup Points - 4th(2016)
World Cup Goals - 3rd(2016)





5 Year Peak: 2011 to 2015
10th in Even Strength Points, 94% of 2nd place Steven Stamkos
8th in Even Strength Goals, 80% of 2nd place Corey Perry

2nd in Play-off Points, 83% of 1st place Patrick Kane

10 Year Peak: 2009 to 2018
13th in Even Strength Points, 86% of 2nd place Patrick Kane
8th in Even Strength Goals, 87% of 2nd place Sidney Crosby

4th in Play-off Points, 77% of 2nd place Sidney Crosby


Scoring Percentages:
Even Strength Points - 98(2013), 79(2011), 78(2015), 77(2020), 75(2014), 74(2009), 71(2019), 69(2016), 62(2017), 61(2018), 58(2010), 58(2012)

Best 6 Seasons - 481


NHLPA Player Polls:
2018
2nd Best Team Player
4th Player to Start a Franchise
2nd Best Role Model





Team Usages:
TOI per game - 1st(2010), 1st(2011), 1st(2012), 1st(2014), 2nd(2008), 2nd(2009), 2nd(2013), 2nd(2015), 2nd(2016), 2nd(2017), 2nd(2018), 2nd(2019), 2nd(2020)

ES TOI per game - 2nd(2010), 2nd(2011), 2nd(2012), 2nd(2013), 2nd(2014), 2nd(2015), 2nd(2018), 2nd(2019), 2nd(2020), 3rd(2016), 3rd(2017), 4th(2008), 4th(2009)

PP TOI per game - 2nd(2009), 2nd(2010), 2nd(2015), 2nd(2018), 2nd(2019), 3rd(2011), 3rd(2012), 3rd(2013), 3rd(2014), 3rd(2016), 3rd(2017), 3rd(2020)

SH TOI per game - 1st(2012), 2nd(2011), 2nd(2018) ,3rd(2010), 3rd(2013), 3rd(2014), 3rd(2016), 3rd(2019), 3rd(2020), 4th(2015)

Play-off TOI per game - 1st(2010), 1st(2011), 1st(2012), 1st(2013), 1st(2014), 1st(2015), 2nd(2016), 3rd(2017)


Player Rankings:
2011 Hockey News - 5th Best Player
2012 Hockey News - 5th Best Center
2014 Hockey News - 6th Best Player
2015 Player vote - 5th Best Player
2016 Hockey News - 2nd Best Player

Ranked #5
Putting aside Toews' outstanding accomplishments so far in his career - world juniors gold, Stanley Cup, Conn Smythe Trophy, Olympic gold - it's the words of his peers that indicate arguably the most complete player the game is still improving.

Toews was the league's No. 7 goal-scorer, No. 2 faceoff man and sat top 20 in points.

About 23 months after being named the third-youngest captain in NHL history, Toews led Chicago to the Stanley Cup. He also earned the Conn Smythe Trophy and led the club in playoff scoring. He's a born leader held in high regard by teammates and opponents, excels at both ends of the ice and raises his game when it maters most.

Ranked #5
No player has rocketed up this list more dramatically than Toews, who was named best forward at the Olympics and the MVP of the playoffs. Despite being destroyed by Willie Mitchell on an open-ice hit early in the season, Toews came back and scored 63 points in 61 games after missing six with a concussion. His hockey sense, two-way play and leadership make him the complete package.

Ranked #6
The Selke Trophy win in 2013 was a testament to Toews' dedication in playing a 200-foot game and the Stanley Cup an affirmation of his leadership skills and ability to raise his game at crucial times. But the highest form of flattery came during the playoffs when no player was abused more than Toews.

Ranked #5
The youngest captain in team history has done everything for the franchise. His two-way play and leadership has been the cornerstone of a glorious era in Chicago, and when all is said and done, No. 19 will be hanging from the rafters.

Ranked #2
If there's anyone who can carry the weight of expectation of an $84-million contract extension, it's Toews. The one thing missing from his repertoire is eye-popping offensive totals. But, if you had to pick one center with whom to start a franchise, who would be a batter pick?

Ranked #2 "Best Money Player"
Crosby has the golden goal, but Toews has a Conn Smythe to go with his Cup. At 23, Toews has captured hockey's highest honours, both NHL and international.

Ranked #1 "Best Leader"
It's the type of nickname you'd never give yourself and one you'd hope won't stick from someone else. But still in the early years of his career, Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews is already saddled with "Captain Serious".

Ranked #2 "Best Faceoff Man"
"Captain Serious" takes every part of his game seriously. His faceoff wins have increased every year, culminating in a career faceoff percentage of 55.8.

Ranked #4 "Best Defensive Forward"
Ranked #4 "Best Shootout Shooter"

Also received votes for "Highest Panic Threshold"
"Best Wrist Shot"
"Best Skater"

Crosby vs. Toews has become the barometer for all-around excellence at hockey's highest level.

We all need to adjust our idea of what truly encapsulates a outstanding/valuable player.

He reminds me of Derek Jeter. It's all about winning with him.

Every day you're going to get the same effort and a really solid performance. He's a once-in-a-decade-type player. He's a throwback and he's old school. He's made being serious an art form.

....

The best description I've heard about Crosby is he's a elite player with a fourth-liner's mentality and I think the same can be said about Johnny. There's a certain gene you can't teach and he has it. And when you get a combination of a player who has world-class ability, but also has that leadership and focus, he's not going to be stopped.

He can hurt you in so many ways. Offense or defense, it doesn't matter. And it's amazing to see a guy with that much skill be so committed to playing as hard as he does in all parts of the ice.

 

[Dreakmur]

Bernie Morris !!!


Awards and Achievements:
Stanley Cup Champion (1917)

5 x PCHA First Team All-Star (1916, 1917, 1918, 1919, 1922)
2 x PCHA Second Team All-Star (1921, 1923)

C/RW - 1916
C - 1917, 1919
RW - 1922
LW - 1921
Spare - 1918

Newspaper MVP vote - 3rd(1917)

Offensive Accomplishments:
PCHA Points - 1st(1917), 2nd(1916), 2nd(1918), 2nd(1919), 4th(1922), 6th(1921), 6th(1923)
PCHA Goals - 1st(1916), 2nd(1917), 2nd(1918), 2nd(1919), 4th(1923), 5th(1922), 9th(1921)
PCHA Assists - 1st(1918), 2nd(1917), 2nd(1921), 2nd(1922), 3rd(1919), 5th(1916)

WCHL Points - 7th(1924)
WCHL Goals - 6th(1924)
WCHL Assists - 9th(1924)

Consolidated Scoring:
Points - 2nd(1919), 3rd(1916), 3rd(1917), 3rd(1918), 10th(1922), 12th(1921), 16th(1923)
Goals - 1st(1916), 2nd(1919), 4th(1917), 4th(1918)
Assists - 1st(1918), 3rd(1921), 4th(1919), 5th(1922), 8th(1916), 8th(1917)

Play-off Points - 1st(1917), 2nd(1924)

Scoring Percentages:
Consolidated Points - 109(1919), 96(1918), 91(1916), 90(1917), 76(1922), 74(1921), 65(1924), 57(1923)

Best 6 Seasons: 536​

 

[Dreakmur]

Kevin Lowe !!!


Awards and Achievements:
6 x Stanley Cup Champion
Canada Cup Gold Medalist (1984)

7 x NHL All-Star Game (1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1993)

Norris voting - 5th(1988), 7th(1985), 8th(1989), 10th(1982)
All-Starvoting - 5th(1988), 7th(1982), 9th(1989), 10th(1990), 11th(1985), 12th(1984), 14th(1987)

Offensive Accomplishments:
Even Strength Points among Defensemen - 8th(1984), 11th(1983), 11th(1987)

Play-off Points among Defensemen - 5th(1984)

Scoring Percentages:
Even Strength Points among Defensemen - 76(1983), 70(1984), 68(1987), 66(1982), 65(1981), 60(1990), 57(1989)

Best 6 Seasons - 405

Defenceman Kevin Lowe was a pillar in the building of the Edmonton Oilers into a Stanley Cup champion. He was a solid positional player in his own zone, a team leader, and an astute playmaker on offense. His leadership on and off the ice was a major component of Cup championships in both Edmonton and New York.

Beginning in 1979-80, Lowe's solid two-way play and articulate leadership in the dressing room was a factor in the team's success for 13 years. His mobility, defensive hockey sense, and puck handling skills made him an asset on a club that won five Stanley Cups in seven years beginning in 1983-84.

His savvy and leadership were important to the club.

The veteran rearguard was traded to the New York Rangers in December 1992. His steady work was a major factor in the team's first Stanley Cup win in 54 years, in 1994.

A quintessential defensive defenseman of the 1980's and early 1990's Edmonton Oilers. It was Lowe's job not only to bring up the rear, but to protect it. Kevin displayed consummate ability and class for five Stanley Cup-winning teams

Lowe became a major component of Mike Keenan's Stanley Cup-winning team of 1993-94.

While never scoring many goals, Kevin Lowe had his share of assists and played excellent defense. He was a cornerstone on the six championship teams for which he played.

Regarded as an intense competitor, Lowe expected success every time his skates touched the ice.

Unlike most defenceman who immediately play in the minors after the draft, the Oilers thrust Lowe into the NHL schedule right away.

His play was a quiet force and a defensive genius on a dynasty that was known for outscoring the opposition.

Lowe had outstanding hockey sense and vision which game him a superior advantage by understanding the defensive breakdown of the oncoming attack. An agile though not fast skater, Lowe used his anticipation to relieve the opposition of the puck. He would then safely move the puck up to one of his many outstanding forwards. It is safe to say that the Oilers forwards couldn't have cheated offensively like they did if they didn't have a defensive stalwart like Lowe to break up plays and spring the forwards loose with great transitional passes.

While "Vish" didn't get the recognition he deserved from the media or fans, those on the ice knew just how great he was.

A natural leader, he was the alternate captain for most of the Oilers' Dynasty, and became the Oilers' fifth Captain in the 1990-91 season.

Contemporary Opinions:
Top-4 Best Defensive Defenseman (1989 player vote) - Ray Bourque, Scott Stevens, and Mike Ramsey
3rd Best Defensive Defenseman (1990 player poll)
3rd Best Defensive Defenseman (Bobby Smith's ranking 1990)

Kevin was never getting the headlines or setting the records for scoring goals. He was the consummate team guy who helped keep everything together when things got a little bit scratchy.

In all those Islanders-Oilers games, I thought Kevin was the guy who really held the Oiler defense together. You always knew he would take somebody out of the play; he'd take a hit; he'd block a shot. He never played on the fringes.

Contemporary Scouting Reports:

Kevin Lowe, 23, had a fine year ad is an excellent defensive player.
...
Rated as Oiler's best defenseman in 1981-82 season... Defensive type who excels in own zone and at moving the puck... Solid offensively with 63 points and was a plus-46... Good in short-handed situations... Cool, poised performer who's already among league's best defenders.

Reliable performer who probably doesn't get attention deserved because of low offensive statistics... Strong defensively and good at moving the puck out of team's zone... Good on penalty-killing unit, teamed with veteran Lee Fogolin…

The Oilers' backbone... Solid, reliable worker who's a model of consistency... Probably the club's best player game in, game out, in the playoff march to Stanley Cup... Excellent defensively, teamed with veteran Lee Fogolin, good penalty-killing unit and when opposition has big shooters on the ice...

A master of the lost art of effective bodychecking... A defensive defenseman who's role is especially vital to a team which places greater emphasis on offense... Good team leader ad smart hockey player... Always plays hard... Willing to hit and be hit... A defenseman who excels as a shot-blocker.

The Oilers' most consistent defenseman... Modest offensive skills... An authority in front of his own net... Plays the body effectively...Unspoiled by the team's success.

Considered by many to be the Oilers' best all-around defenseman... Throws a mean open-ice hit and keeps the front of the net clear...

​

 

[ResilientBeast]

Nels Stewart C/LW (Under Construction Posted To Keep Formatting)

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)
​

Season by season breakdown of Nelson Stewart's entire career (Unless explicitly stated otherwise all information is from the Globe and Mail and dates refer to publication date and not the game)

1925-26 Season

Date	Nels' Position	Regular Linemates	Notes
26-Jan-26	C	Siebert (LW) + Broadbent (RW)
01-Feb-26	C	Siebert (LW) + Broadbent (RW)
03-Feb-26	C	Siebert (LW) + Broadbent (RW)
10-Feb-26	C	Siebert (LW) + Broadbent (RW)
24-Feb-26	C	Siebert (LW) + Broadbent (RW)
01-Mar-26	C	Siebert (LW) + Broadbent (RW)
03-Mar-26	C	Broadbent (RW)
08-Mar-26	C	Siebert (LW) + Broadbent (RW)
12-Mar-26	C	Siebert (LW) + Broadbent (RW)
17-Mar-26	C	Siebert (LW) + Broadbent (RW)
18-Mar-26	C	Siebert (LW) + Broadbent (RW)
24-Mar-26	D	Noble (D)	Playoff Game
29-Mar-26	D/C	Noble (D)	NHL Finals
31-Mar-26	D	Noble (D)	Cup Finals
02-Apr-26	D	Noble (D)	Cup Finals
05-Apr-26	D	Noble (D)	Cup Finals

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Quotes from this season

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.


1926-27 Season

Date	Nels' Position	Regular Linemates	Notes
11-Nov-26	C	Siebert (LW) + Broadbent (RW)
17-Nov-26	C	Siebert (LW) + Broadbent (RW)
19-Nov-26	C	Siebert (LW) + Broadbent (RW)
24-Nov-26	C	Siebert (LW) + Broadbent (RW)
26-Nov-26	C	Siebert (LW) + Broadbent (RW)
29-Nov-26	C	Siebert (LW) + Broadbent (RW)
01-Dec-26	C	Siebert (LW) + Broadbent (RW)
15-Dec-26	C	Siebert (LW) + Broadbent (RW)
24-Dec-26	C	Siebert (LW) + Broadbent (RW)
07-Jan-27	C	Siebert (LW) + Broadbent (RW)
12-Jan-27	C	Siebert (LW) + Broadbent (RW)
17-Jan-27	Sub	Subs
19-Jan-27	C	Siebert (LW) + Broadbent (RW)
21-Jan-27	C	Siebert (LW) + Broadbent (RW)
24-Jan-27	C	Siebert (LW) + Broadbent (RW)
26-Jan-27	C	Broadbent (RW) + Oatman (LW?)
28-Jan-27	C	Siebert (LW) + Broadbent (RW)
04-Feb-27	C	Siebert (LW) + Broadbent (RW)
09-Feb-27	C	Siebert (LW) + Broadbent (RW)
16-Feb-27	C	Siebert (LW) + Broadbent (RW)
21-Feb-27	C	Siebert (LW) + Broadbent (RW)
25-Feb-27	C	Siebert (LW) + Broadbent (RW)
09-Mar-27	C	Siebert (LW) + Broadbent (RW)
01-Apr-27	C	Siebert (LW) + Broadbent (RW)	Playoff Game

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

1927-28 Season

Date	Nels' Position	Regular Linemates	Notes
16-Nov-27	C	Siebert (LW)	Hooley isn’t listed
18-Nov-27	C	Siebert (LW)	Hooley isn’t listed
21-Nov-27	C	Siebert (LW)	Hooley isn’t listed
23-Nov-27	LW	Smith (c)	Hooley appears
28-Nov-27	C + W (?)	Stewart (?)	Hooley isn’t listed
30-Nov-27	C	Siebert (LW)	Hooley isn’t listed
02-Dec-27	Hooley noted as being out for a while
05-Dec-27	Didn't play
12-Dec-27	Didn't play
16-Dec-27	C	Smith (W) + Siebert (W)
19-Dec-27	C	Siebert (LW)	Hooley as a sub
26-Dec-27	C	Smith (W) + Siebert (W)
29-Dec-27	LW	Oatman (LW) + Smith (C)
30-Dec-27	C	Oatman (LW?) + Smith (RW)
02-Jan-28	C	Oatman (LW?) + Smith (RW)
06-Jan-28	Sub	Smith (C)
16-Jan-28	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (W)
18-Jan-28	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (W)
23-Jan-28	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (W)
27-Jan-28	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (W)
01-Feb-28	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (W)
06-Feb-28	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (W)
08-Feb-28	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (W)
20-Feb-28	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (W)
22-Feb-28	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (W)
05-Mar-28	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (W)
09-Mar-28	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (W)
12-Mar-28	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (W)
14-Mar-28	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (W)
19-Mar-28	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (W)
26-Mar-28	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (W)
28-Mar-28	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (W)	NHL Playoffs
30-Mar-28	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (W)	NHL Playoffs
02-Apr-28	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (W)	NHL Playoffs
03-Apr-28	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (W)	NHL Playoffs
06-Apr-28	No lineup	Cup Finals
09-Apr-28	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (W)	Cup Finals + Lester in net
11-Apr-28	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (W)	Cup Finals
16-Apr-28	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (W)

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

1928-29 Season

16-Nov-28	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (W)
19-Nov-28	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (W)
23-Nov-28	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (W)
26-Nov-28	LW	Ward (W)	Hooley absent
28-Nov-28	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (W)
30-Nov-28	RW	Smith (C) + Ward (LW)	RW weird
03-Dec-28	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (W)
07-Dec-28	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (W)
12-Dec-28	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (W)
14-Dec-28	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (W)
17-Dec-28	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (W)
19-Dec-28	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (RW)
21-Dec-28	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (W)
26-Dec-28	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (RW)
04-Jan-29	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (W)
09-Jan-29	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (W)
14-Jan-29	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (W)
18-Jan-29	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (W)
21-Jan-29	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (RW)
25-Jan-29	C	Siebert (LW) + Ward (RW)	Hooley on D
28-Jan-29	C	Siebert (LW) + Ward (RW)	Hooley on D
01-Feb-29	C	Siebert (LW) + Ward (RW)	Hooley on D
06-Feb-29	C	Siebert (LW) + Ward (RW)	Hooley on D
11-Feb-29	C	Siebert (LW) + Ward (RW)	Hooley on D
13-Feb-29	C	Siebert (LW) + Ward (RW)	Hooley on D
15-Feb-29	C	Siebert (LW) + Ward (RW)	Hooley on D
18-Feb-29	C	Siebert (LW) + Ward (RW)	Hooley on D
20-Feb-29	C	Smith (C) + Ward (W)
25-Feb-29	LW	Ward (W)	Hooley absent
27-Feb-29	LW	Ward (W)	Hooley absent
01-Mar-29	LW	Ward (W)
11-Mar-29	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (RW)
15-Mar-29	LW	Smith (C) + Ward (RW)

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Quotes from this season

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."

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

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

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

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."


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."​

1929-30 Season

15-Nov-29	C	S Line	The S-Line!!!
18-Nov-29	C	S Line
20-Nov-29	Sub		Hooley on D
25-Nov-29	C	S Line
29-Nov-29	Sub		S-Line are Subs
02-Dec-29	C	S Line
04-Dec-29	Sub		S-Line are Subs
06-Dec-29	C	S Line	S-Line are Subs
13-Dec-29	Sub
18-Dec-29	C	S Line
23-Dec-29	C	S Line
27-Dec-29	C	S Line
30-Dec-29	C	Siebert	Hooley Absent
02-Jan-30	C	Siebert	Hooley Absent
06-Jan-30	C	S Line
10-Jan-30	C	S Line
15-Jan-30	C	S Line
17-Jan-30	C	S Line
20-Jan-30	Sub		S-Line are Subs
24-Jan-30	C	S Line
27-Jan-30	C	S Line
31-Jan-30	C	S Line
03-Feb-30	Sub		S-Line are Subs
07-Feb-30	C	Smith	Siebert on D
10-Feb-30	C	S-Line
12-Feb-30	C	S-Line
14-Feb-30	C	S-Line
17-Feb-30	Sub		S-Line are Subs
19-Feb-30	C	S-Line
21-Feb-30	Sub		S-Line are Subs
26-Feb-30	C	S-Line
05-Mar-30	C	S-Line
07-Mar-30	C	S-Line
10-Mar-30	C	Smith
17-Mar-30	C	Smith
21-Mar-30	C	S-Line	Playoffs
26-Mar-30	C	Northcott + Smith	Playoffs
28-Mar-30	C	Northcott + Smith	Playoffs

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

 

[TheDevilMadeMe]

Delete

 

[TheDevilMadeMe]

Lynn Patrick, LW/C

He peaked with 3 amazing seasons from the ages of 28-30:

• 1940-41: 3rd in points (5th in ‎2/‎28/‎2020, 6th in assists)
• 1941-42: 2nd in points (1st in goals). 1st Team All-Star LW, 3rd in Hart voting
• 1942-43: 4th in points (7th in assists). 2nd Team All-Star LW

He then left the NHL to join the war effort (missed 1943-44 and 1944-45), and never regained his form after the war (see Joe Pelletier quote below).

Overall top 20 finishes:

• Points - 2nd(1941), 2nd(1942), 4th(1943), 14th(1938), 20th(1940)
• Goals - 1st(1942), 5th(1941), 14th(1943), 16th(1940), 18th(1938)
• Assists - 6th(1941), 7th(1943), 12th(1939), 14th(1938), 17th(1942)

Overall All-Star voting:

• Center All-Star voting - 7th(1936)
• Left Wing All-Star voting - 1st(1942), 2nd(1943), 4th(1938), 4th(1941)

Despite having his prime potentially cut short, his offensive record is excellent for a 2nd line LW:

VS X - BEST SEVEN YEARS, POINTS - Top 40 LW ELIGIBLE PLAYERS

Bobby Hull	108.3
Ted Lindsay	104.4
Alex Ovechkin	98.4
Sweeney Schriner	91.3
Nels Stewart	90.3
Mark Messier	89.6
Busher Jackson	89.5
John Bucyk	88.7
Claude Giroux	88.0
Frank Mahovlich	87.8
Sid Abel	87.3
Doug Bentley	86.6
Toe Blake	86.3
Dickie Moore	85.4
Roy Conacher	85.2
Paul Kariya	84.9
Alex Delvecchio	84.8
Luc Robitaille	84.2
Ilya Kovalchuk	83.9
Syd Howe	83.9
Markus Naslund	82.9
Aurel Joliat	82.6
Paul Thompson	82.6
John LeClair	81.7
Jamie Benn	81.4
Dany Heatley	81.0
Daniel Sedin	79.9
Henrik Zetterberg	79.5
Lynn Patrick	79.4
Michel Goulet	79.3
Keith Tkachuk	79.0
Brendan Shanahan	79.0
Patrik Elias	78.9
Bun Cook	76.3
Bert Olmstead	75.9
Joe Pavelski	75.8
Clint Smith	75.1
Herbie Lewis	75.0
Johnny Gottselig	74.8
Pavol Demitra	74.5
Brad Marchand	74.2
Vincent Damphousse	74.0
Alex Tanguay	73.4

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His 7 year VsX score of 79.4 puts him right in the range of Daniel Sedin (79.9), Henrik Zetterberg (79.5), Michel Goulet (79.3), Keith Tkachuk (79.0), and Brendan Shanahan (79.0).

So why does Patrick fall so far? He was an offense-only player who was really, really soft (nickname "Twinkletoes"). But for my team, he has Duke Keats - "the bad man of the West" to center him (and protect him).

Shooting
Lynn Patrick seemed to have a very accurate shot.
Montreal Gazette, April 1, 1935:

Lynn Patrick picked up the loose disc near the Maroons cage and, as Wentworth vainly tried to check him, flipped a quick shot to the corner that gave Connell no chance

Montreal Gazette, January 17, 1941

Hardly had they settled back in their seats when Lynn Patrick got his two goals, the first going off of Jack Crawford’s skate and the second aimed directly at the corner of the net.

Skating:
Lynn Patrick also seems to have been an exceptional skater as well.
The Windsor Daily Star: December 26, 1935

Lynn Patrick, speedy son of Rangers’ manager Lester Patrick, clinched the game with a brilliant solo rush.

Kings of Ice:

Lynn was a smooth skater and strong puck carrier and the more refined of the two (Muzz Patrick) [...] He was solid workmanlike player in his first five years in the league.

More Quotes (via Dreakmur)

Virtually all professional athletes, including some of the Rangers' biggest stars, get booed at one time or another. But it's safe to say that left wing Lynn Patrick probably had the thickest skin of them all.

Ar six-feet, 200 pounds, Patrick had a better-than-average hockey body [...] He was a finesse player, prefer to dazzle on his skates and with his stick, eschewing the more robust exploit of some of his teammates, particularly the his rolllicking, hard-checking brother Muzz.

Madison Square Garden crowds often teased him with nicLknames such as ''twinkletoes'' or ''Sonja'', the latter a reference to the world-famous figure skating star of the era, Sonja Henie. Patrick merely shrugged it off, much as he had criticism and doubt that came earlier from, of all places, within his own family.

As great as Lynn's athleticism was, his father, Lester, the boss of the New York Rangers at the time, simply didn't think Lynn could make it in the NHL. Veterans Bill and Bun Cook, plus Frank Boucher, through otherwise, and pestered Lester mightily enough that he finally signed his eldeest son to a contract in 1934.

Lynn was a smooth skater and strong puck carrier and the more refined of the two (Muzz Patrick) [...] He was solid workmanlike player in his first five years in the league.

Lynn Patrick, who eventually went on to play on a high scoring line with Phil Watson and Bryan Hextall, joined the Rangers in 1934 – thought he admitted in Eric Whitehead’s book: The Patricks: Hockey’s Royal Family : “One man I did not impress (in training camp) was Lester. However, Bill and Bun Cook apparently saw something Lester didn’t and told him he’d be crazy not to sign me.” It took him a few games to show he was more than the coach’s son, but Lynn eventually became an All-Star.

With the Colville brothers and Alex Shibicky supporting the line of Phil Watson, Lynn Patrick and Cecil Dillon, the fans were delighted and the slick passing style caught the fans imagination.

....

The following three seasons were Lynn's best. He tied with Bryan Hextall for the point scoring leader on the Rangers in 1940-41, scoring 20 goals for the first time in his career. The following year he hit his peak, as he scored a league leading 32 goals and made the 1st All-Star team. The Rangers finished first that year, the last time a Ranger team would do that in over a half century.

....

In 1942-43, the Rangers were devastated by World War II, losing many players to the armed forces. Lynn was still around this season and had a good year, scoring 22 goals and 61 points to finish fourth in NHL scoring and making the second all-star team. At least the Rangers had Lynn to smile about that year, as the Rangers were just terrible and finished last.

But it would be even more horrible for the Rangers in 1943-44. Lynn Patrick was headed for greatness, but World War II put an end to that dream as now Lynn joined the armed forces to end the Nazi threat. The Rangers scored little and gave up a whopping 6.20 goals per game in 1943-44. When Lynn came back to the Rangers, he could not regain his old form. After 1945-46 he was farmed out to New Haven where he became coach.

 

[Dreakmur]

Dean Prentice !!!


Awards and Achievements:
Second Team All-Star (1960)

All-Star voting - 2nd(1960), 3rd(1956), 3rd(1962), 5th(1965), 6th(1963), 6th(1970)

Offensive Accomplishments:
Points - 10th(1960), 12th(1962), 18th(1957), 18th(1963), 19th(1956), 20th(1967)
Goals - 4th(1960), 8th(1956), 12th(1967), 13th(1964), 14th(1957), 15th(1962), 18th(1955), 18th(1961)
Assists - 8th(1962), 13th(1968), 14th(1960), 14th(1963), 15th(1959), 15th(1966)

ES Points - 4th(1960), 6th(1956), 10th(1959), 12th(1957), 15th(1961), 15th(1962), 16th(1963), 16th(1967)
ES Goals - 2nd(1960), 4th(1956), 10th(1964), 11th(1955), 12th(1967), 13th(1957), 13th(1961)

Play-off Points - 4th(1966)
Play-off Goals - 3rd(1966)
Play-off Assists - 5th(1966)


5 Year Peak: 1956 to 1960
9th in Even Strength Points, 79% of 2nd place Gordie Howe
6th in Even Strength Goals, 76% of 2nd place Gordie Howe

10 Year Peak: 1955 to 1964
9th in Even Strength Points, 77% of 2nd place Gordie Howe
9th in Even Strength Goals, 78% of 2nd place Andy Bathgate


Scoring Percentages:
ES Percentage - 102(1960), 83(1956), 74(1962), 70(1959), 70(1968), 69(1963), 68(1961), 65(1967), 63(1957), 60(1964), 52(1966), 51(1955), 50(1970)

Best 6 Seasons: 468

Prentice eventually settled onto a line with Andy Bathgate and ***** ******. The trio became the Rangers' most successful unit. Prentice became the two-way standout who excelled at backchecking, killing penalties, working the corners and jumping onto the powerplay. But his quiet, unassuming personality took a back seat to the more colourful Bathgate who was the dipsy-doodler and scorer among the trio. As such, Prentice has been characterized as the most underrated forward of his era.

In his eleventh season with the Rangers, he was traded to the Boston Bruins for Don McKenney in 1963. Prentice was not unhappy to join the Bruins, but he did feel a twinge of regret when, shortly thereafter, McKenney and Bathgate were traded to the Leafs, a lineup he'd wanted to join.
In 1966, Prentice was traded to the Detroit Red Wings where he continued to skate with the league's elite, this time with Alex Delvecchio and Gordie Howe. He also picked up shifts with his old Ranger teammate Andy Bathgate who had also joined the Wings.

Two seasons later, however, Bathgate had moved on to the Pittsburgh Penguins. And in keeping with the program, Pens coach Red Kelly claimed Prentice in the Intra-League Draft to skate along side Bathgate. Prentice clicked in his new setting, leading the team in scoring. He lasted with the Pens until 1971 at which time he was sold to the Minnesota North Stars where he continued to score even at the age of 40.

By 1974, however, at age 41, Prentice finally closed out his 22-year NHL career.

He's not in the Hockey Hall Of Fame, but many believe that Dean Prentice is a worthy candidate for the shrine. Certainly those who played alongside the left wing would attest to that... Indefatigable, Prentice was known as "Deano the Dynamo" for his tenacious checking and excellent speed. He was as good a two-way forward as the Rangers owned in that era... always one of the best and most reliable Ranger forwards... Prentice's first two years were statistically unimpressive, but the left winger's hard work at both ends of the ice soon paid off... When he was not out on the offensive prowl, Dean found himself playing strong defense - he was even placed as a forward among defensemen when the Blueshirts were playing with a five-on-three disadvantage... A fearless skater, Prentice even played the immortal Gordie Howe so thoroughly that a frustrated Gordie threatened to knock out his teeth... Prentice played the game as it should be played. He wasn't afraid to go into the corners and dig the puck out; he could skate, stickhandle, pass, and shoot. Though Dean may have lacked size, he was always the consummate team player, displaying both grit and determination.

Dean Prentice was a strong and aggressive left wing... not a spectacular player, but a solid performer who could be relied on for consistent play. He was a good checker and not intimidated by the "hard rocks" in the league.

Prentice Was a Smart Hockey Player who knew what it took to stay in the NHL... became a reliable checking forward and penalty killer... Prentice averaged 18 goals a season, but he was most noted for his defensive play, and that, along with his excellent penalty killing capabilities, is what kept him employed in the NHL for such a long time.

In his typically modest and soft-spoken way, Dean Prentice almost blushes at the mere suggestion, which he hears on a somewhat regular basis. "Dean Prentice," his boosters clam, "is simply the best player not in the Hockey Hall Of Fame."... A sturdy left wing, Prentice was known for his robust bodychecks and his hard shot... Prentice was charged with keeping Bathgate's cannon loaded, providing the ammunition for Andy to become one of the game's best right wings... Durability was a Prentice Trademark, Particularly during his Ranger years.

Dean Prentice of the New York Rangers, who became a top star last season when he scored 32 goals and a total of 66 points to finish in the top ten scorers, is a smooth, smart player who takes care of his left wing spot as if he had been born there. There is much a young player can learn from Prentice but perhaps the key lesson is the way he gets free to take a pass and flash in on a goal scoring threat. Watching Prentice I am constantly reminded of a great pass catching end in football who runs his patterns so well that he is nearly always able to take a pass regardless of the defensive check on him. If you watch the average game of hockey you will notice that most plays made to an open wing are possible because some defensive player lagged or was caught out of the play. It was not because the wing had worked to get free. Prentice is always working, constantly alert for any chance to get free, and is never content, as so many players are, to submit to a close cover. The Ranger star builds his scoring chances, he doesn't wait for them to happen.

One of the most underrated skaters in NHL history.

Prentice would bust through a brick wall if he thought it would help him score.

Rangers supporters were greatly disturbed yesterday to learn that Dean Prentice, one of the most industrious left wingers in the NHL, will not play with the New Yorkers tonight... Prentice has been one of the Rangers' most consistent players for the past two seasons, while doing a variety of jobs. There are few better checkers, he is a fairly high scorer and he does a commendable job of killing penalties. He is the kind of player you miss most when you don't have him on the bench for emergency chores.

Out of it all the most industrious player was that honest workman, Dean prentice. He scored the all-stars' clinching goal, assisted on two others and played a robust checking game throughout.

Prentice, a hard-skating, strong-checking left winger...

Dean Prentice has been acquired by boston for Don McKenney in an effort to get more thump in the Bruins' checks... Retired goal king Maurice Richard said "The two are similar because they're steady and try hard every game."...Boston GM Milt Schmidt tipped his hand on the deal when he said yesterday: "With his style of play he should fit well with ******* and ******. Prentice is strong in the corners and a good passer, and has been one of the better checkers among left wings since he has been in the league."... "Prentice is a durable player", said Rangers GM Muzz Patrick. "But we're desperate for centremen and had to give him to get McKenney."

Schmidt's aim was to restore a defensive attitude... Don McKenney was sent to New York in exchange for the two-way talents of Dean Prentice.

 

[tinyzombies]

Craig Hartsburg

Biographical Info:

Position: D ▪ Shoots: Left
Height: 6-1 ▪ Weight: 200 lbs.

$PPP/82 = 25
SH% = 30%

Hartsburg's stats:
-Norris finishes: 4, 12
-19th all-time amongst defensemen in both points and assists per games played (unadjusted).
-1st in Power Play Goals On-Ice For (not against) 1986-87
-7th in Total Goals on Ice For (not against) 1986-87
-413 points in 570 career games
-42 points in 61 career playoff games
-3 time all star
-3 50 Assist Seasons
-40 Career Power Play Goals
-Member of Team Canada 1981, 1987 (won Canada Cup).

Joe Pelletier:
Before the injuries riddled him, Hartsburg was a wonderful rushing defenseman. He was an excellent skater, extremely mobile laterally in particular. He would often rush the puck out of the zone, sometimes recklessly and leading to injury susceptibility.

As his career progressed he reigned in his rushing game and proved to be a fantastic passing defenseman, clearing the zone with proficiency but starting the transition offense expertly as well. He also knew how to quarterback a power play. His vision and creativity allowed him to move the puck into the slimmest of passing lanes, and he naturally knew when to pinch to keep the zone.

Hartsburg was very sound defensively, playing his defensive angles well and reading the rush well back into his own zone. His active stick broke up a lot of oncoming breaks.

 

[kruezer]

Logan Couture
“I wonder if they got us right where they want us right now.”

Personal Awards and Achievements
2nd in Calder Voting (2010-2011)
5th & 8th in Byng Voting (2012-2013 & 2014-2015)
Smattering of other Byng and Selke Votes outside the top 10
2012 & 2020 NHL All Star Games
Named Captain of the Sharks in 2019

Single Season Stats

Regular Season
10th in Goals (2012-2013)

Playoffs
1st in Points (2015-2016)
1st in Assists (2015-2016)
1st in Goals (2018-2019)
3rd in Points (2018-2019)

2010 to 2019 Stats
This time frame excludes Couture’s partial pre-rookie season

Regular Season
26th in Points
16th in Goals
54th in PPG (min. 100 GP)

Playoffs
2nd in Points (behind only Crosby)
2nd in Goals (behind only Ovechkin)
13th in PPG (min. 10 GP)
4th in Even Strength Points

Sharks Playoff Totals 2010-2019

Sorted by Total Points​

Player	GP	G	A	P
Logan Couture	101	44	53	97
Joe Pavelski	94	33	39	72
Joe Thornton	88	16	52	68
Brent Burns (D)	83	20	39	59
Patrick Marleau	71	23	22	45

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Sorted by PPG (no GP restriction)​

Player	GP	G	A	P	PPG
Logan Couture	101	44	53	97	0.96
Erik Karlsson	19	2	14	16	0.84
Ryane Clowe	22	6	12	18	0.82
Joe Thornton	88	16	52	68	0.77
Joe Pavelski	94	33	39	72	0.77

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International Stats

2016 WCH
1 goal, 3 assists for 4 points in 6 games

VsX

Regular Season
7 Year VsX Goals – 34.6
10 Year VsX Goals – 29.1

Playoffs
5 Yr Playoff VsX Score – 280 (prior to last years POs)
280 is 157th all time and it doesn’t include his 3rd place finish in 2019
Estimating his PO VsX5 after last year I’d put him in the 300-310 range this places him between 110-120 all time and that pushes him ahead of Patrick Marleau and just behind Joe Thornton, despite far less total PO opportunities​

 

[ImporterExporter]

Fred Lake and Hamby Shore's dominance together in Ottawa under Pete Green:


From Ottawa Citizen - Jan 30th, 1911: (from game on 28th)
Ottawa Citizen - Google News Archive Search

GAME REPORTS/PLAYER INFO:



7 Mar 1908, Page 2 - The Ottawa Journal at Newspapers.com

Fred Lake compared to Tom Phillips. Maravel at checking back.

27 Nov 1908, 4 - The Gazette at Newspapers.com

Fred Lake and Cyclone kicked out of International League for being too physical.

9 Dec 1908, 5 - The Gazette at Newspapers.com

Fred Lake joins Ottawa. Cyclone Taylor meets his old teammate at train station.

Lake scouting report. short but well built, fast as lightning.

Noted star F from the International league

23 Dec 1908, 6 - The Gazette at Newspapers.com

Fred Lake makes the switch back to defense before the start of his 1st season in Ottawa.

5 Jan 1909
5 Jan 1909, Page 12 - The Ottawa Journal at Newspapers.com

Renfrew trying to steal Lake away.

Montreal Gazette - Jan 7th, 1909 (game played on 6th)
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Lake thought more highly than Pulford and team improves drastically to back it up. Stars with Cylone Taylor. Dominant defensively, and offensively. Puts major league hit on Moose Johnston.Which in turn goads Johnston into taking a dumb penalty and Ottawa scores. Lake takes dumb penalty as well but fortunately doesn't hurt the Sens.

"The summing up of the merits of the team as compared with last year's appears to be that, while Lake is a big improvement over Pulford, and the defence consequently much stronger, the (forward) line is not as good.

Taylor and Lake were the stars of the team, and it was their continual rushing that gave the forwards a chance to keep up with Wanderers in scoring. Taylor did tremendous amount of work, but as usual, showed poor judgement when he was close in, shooting wildly as a rule. However, his work in carrying the disc counted for a lot.

Ross broke away and got through all except Lake at point, where he was stopped. Lake showed with a burst of speed that carried him the length of the rink until he passed out to Gilmour, who missed the puck in front of the Wanderer goal. Smail followed with a dash up the side of the rink and looked dangerous until he was tripped heavily by Taylor who was sent off for five minutes.

With the teams playing even strength, Lake made a brilliant run up the ice and scored after evading every Wanderer who tried to stop him. When Lake was almost on top of the Wanderer nets, Hern jumped out to check him, but the Ottawa point man was too alert, and fired the puck past him into the cage, Time 3:29.

Lake shook up Johnston with a hard check against the boards, but the big wing player was able to resume after a short rest.

Then Johnston received a five minute penalty for tripping Lake, and with the teams playing six a side, Gilmour scored on a pass from Walsh.

Shortly after play was resumed Lake was given three minutes for tripping Smail.

With a brilliant rush, Lake dodged the whole Wanderer team, and when close to Hern cut in a fast shot, which was cleverly stopped by the Wanderer goal-tend.

Following a face (off), near the Wanderer goal, Smith had and end to end run and shot on Lesueur. Then Taylor, with a great burst of speed went up the ice and passed to Lake, who scored.

Taylor was unable to rise without assistance after he had crashed into the fence at the southwest corner of the rink. When he resumed he was apparently badly used up and dropped back to the point position.

Lake who was seemingly the freshest man on the Ottawa team outside of the goalkeeper, relieved him."

Montreal Gazette - Feb 1st, 1909 (game played on Jan 30th)
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search

"Stuart, Lake and Kerr probably played Ottawa's best game. Lesueur did a lot of stopping in goal, but in the first half, chiefly from long range shots. Taylor was ineffective through his wildness. His tremendous speed was in evidence, but he did not use it to the advantage it should be to his team.

Ross and Vair rushed together, working a double pass, but Ross was blocked finally by Lake.

Smail and Lake started a series of brilliant dashes that kept the opposing defences on the jump."

15 Dec 1909, Page 2 - The Ottawa Journal at Newspapers.com

Fred Lake is a modern Dman (1909). Wicked shot. Nice Scouting report.

Ottawa Citizen - Jan 14th, 1910 (game played on Jan 13th)
Ottawa Citizen - Google News Archive Search

Lake and Ottawa dominate Art Ross' All Montreal 7 in a CHA vs NHA match up. Big hit by Lake breaks the nose of Jack Marks.

"Lake scored the remaining goal in the fifteen for Ottawa, but his usefulness to the team on the defence was a good deal greater than that would indicate for in the second half more than half of the Ottawa goals were scored on rushes started by him."

"Only one player was hurt seriously enough to necessitate his withdrawl from the ice. That was Jack Marks, of the All Montreal, who had his nose broken when he went down in a collision with Lake after the fourth goal had been scored."

Ottawa Citizen - Jan 17th, 1910 (game played on 16th)
Ottawa Citizen - Google News Archive Search

Shore magnificent. Brainy game, with speed, stickwork, scoring, defense. Cyclone Taylor couldn't have played a better game. Shore called one of the greatest Dmen in hockey. Lake a tower of strength.

"One of the outstanding features of the Ottawa team's brilliant performance was the magnificent work of Hamby Shore at cover point.

Shore played one of the brainiest games on the ice, showing splendid speed and stick handling and carrying the rubber down the ice for two of the prettiest goals imaginable.

The great Fed Taylor could not have played the position more perfectly than Shore. "Clymer's" work bringing down the house time after time. He looks like a fixture in the position. Shore has been improving rapidly, and on Saturday's showing, deserves to be classed with the greatest defence men in the game.

His checking was very effective, Percy Lesueur in goal made some wonderful stops, and Fred Lake at point was as usual a tower of strength.

Lake also did some magnificent rushing."

Ottawa Citizen - Jan, 19th, 1910 (game played on 18th)
Ottawa Citizen - Google News Archive Search

Shore and Lake dominant:

"Lesueur had few shots to stop, and seldom did the visitors get the rubber past Shore or Lake. Not once did Edmonton reach the nets in the second half.

Edmonton's defeat may be attributed to the great checking of the entire Ottawa team, the magnificent work of Lesueur, Lake and Shore on the defense.

Coupled with this wonderful following back of the Ottawa forwards was the great body checking of Shore at cover and Lake's superb blocking at point. That combination soon broke up the Edmonton rushes, and the cup hunters in the second half were not at all dangerous.

It was really the Ottawa checking, following back, blocking and shooting, and to make it short, their team work that turned the tide.

Fred Lake at point was cool and heady at all times, while Hamby Shore at cover proved another big surprised, Edmonton seldom deceiving the lightning Ottawa Boy.

Ottawa then commenced to rally while Edmonton's speed appeared to be deteroriating. Shore rushed and Ridpath scored on his pass, Bowie calling it back because there had been a forward pass near the Edmonton net."

Ottawa Citizen - Jan 21st, 1910 (game played on 20th)
Ottawa Citizen - Google News Archive Search

Ottawa's system under Green mentioned as main factor for successes. Lake and Shore both mentioned as superb. Shore rattles Deeton's teeth in scrap. Lake, as you'll see many times was a stonewall on D.

"Lesueur, Lake and Shore proving far too deep a proposition for the Edmonton forwards.

Of course the long rushes of Hamby Shore, Fred Lake and the beautiful individual work of Bruce Stuart, Gordie Roberts, Bruce Ridpath and Marty Walsh on the Ottawa line played an important part in the retention of the silverware, but the main factor in the success of the Ottawas was their system and team work.

At one stage Walsh, Stuart, and Ridpath were with the timers, Lesueur, Lake, Shore and Roberts giving such a superb exhibition of defence work that the Westerners in the two minutes in which they had the advantage of three odd men only got one goal.

Shore and Deeton clashed on several occasions, and just as the match ended Deeton crossed one over to the Ottawa cover point's jaw. Shore responded with a poke on the chin that made the Western cup hunter's teeth rattle, and troubled seemed imminent until Bowie interfered and banished Shore.

while Fred Lake at point was at all times effective. Lake did not meet with as much success as usual in rushing, but his blocking was well nigh perfect, and he gave some exhibitions in clearing that captivated the crowd.

Hamby Shore at cover was magnificent while he was in the game."

Ottawa Citizen - Jan 27th 1910 (game played on 26th)
Ottawa Citizen - Google News Archive Search

Lake showing offensive flair with multiple goals on brilliant work.

Lake scoring 2 goals and breaking up "scores" of Les Canadiens attacks in the easier manner imaginable.

From same game (can't put more than 10 images in a post blah)
Lake with a retro assist

"The next goal fell to Captain Bruce Stuart. Lake, Stuart and Walsh rushed in turn and finally Lake found an opening drove it at the flags. Laviolette stopped, but Stuart as on the spot with a timely poke that put Ottawa ahead again. This seem to take the heart out of Laviolette's men, for they quickly faded, Lalonde going off for throwing his stick at Stuart and Roberts making it 5 to 3 on Ridpaths's pass."

Ottawa Citizen - Jan 31st 1910 (game played on 29th)
Ottawa Citizen - Google News Archive Search

"OTTAWA DEFENSE BEST."

"At the other end of the rink Lesueur, Lake and shore were in magnificent form. Lesueur stopped in miraculous fashion time and time again, while Lake never dashed down the ice without leaving Walsh and Stuart to look after the position. Stuart and Shore acted in a like manner, and when either of the Ottawa wings left his side of the rink, either Walsh, Stuart, Lake or Shore dashed up to fill the breach and take the pass. Such is the modern exemplification of team work, the secret of the Ottawa club's success.

Art Throop knocked out with massive hit by Shore:

Art Throop collided with Hamby Shore and injured his side, having to drop off after lying on the ice unnoticed for about two minutes.

Lake accidentally scores one into his own net and then redeems himself right away with great work and another retro assist:

Ronan nursed the puck down the rink celverly shooting form a sharp angle. The puck landed at Lake's feet and in trying to clear Fred accidently batted it into the Ottawa goal. Ronan of course getting the credit. Lake immediately redeemed himself by carrying the rubber up the ice and snapping it across to Roberts for Ottawa's third goal."

Other snippets:

"Petie Green believes Ottawas will go through the seasons without a defeat."

"Hamby Shore's superb work is almost enough to make one forget the phenomenal Taylor (Cyclone)."

7 Feb 1910, Page 4 - The Ottawa Journal at Newspapers.com

Lake scores game winning goal on brilliant solo rush.

Noted to have broken up many rushes on the defensive end.

Drew a tripping penalty which led to a PP goal.

Ottawa Citizen - Feb 10th 1910
Ottawa Citizen - Google News Archive Search

Lake and Shore elite 2 way play.

Ottawa Citizen - Feb 14th 1910 (game played on 12th) - Ottawa wins in one of the greatest hockey games ever played in history to date.
Ottawa Citizen - Google News Archive Search

Fred Lake bested Frank Patrick head to head, namely defensively speaking: Both named best point men in the entire league!

"Between the work of Fred Lake and Frank Patrick, the rival point players there was little difference. Both rushed repeatedly and while Patrick was more successful as far as scoring went and while he got within shooting distance oftener than the Ottawa point man, Lake was perhaps better on the defensive, Patrick erring when he rambled away from his position in the second overtime period.

Lake and Patrick are the two best point men in the National association, both being very aggressive. "

Shore also had magnificent game.

The two cover points, Fred Taylor and Hamby Shore were totally different in their play, Shore giving the greatest exhibition that he has yet put up in the position. Hamby's blocking was superb and while not as spectacular as Taylor, he appeared more effective this being due to perhaps to the fact that he did not receive the attention devoted upon the Cyclone.

Shore has developed into a sterling point man, his scoring of the first goal a beautiful piece of work. Shore has become the idol of Ottawan fans, his every move being cheered as enthusiastically as the other Ottawa rooters hooted those of Taylor.

On the whole the defenses were about equal, Ottawa however, as previously explained showing the better staying qualities."

Ottawa Citizen - Feb 21st, 1910:
Ottawa Citizen - Google News Archive Search

Ottawa Defence Better (but Lake cost team this game due to a slew of minors)

"Wanderers, true enough, showed greater staying power, speed and combination on the attack, but on the defensive, Ottawa had a greater share of the honors.

Lesueur did wonderful work in the nets and both Fred Lake and Hamby Shore were gilt edged performers, while they were on the ice.

Lake's three penalties in the second period spoiling much of his effectiveness. Both blocked cleverly and Lake's rushing provided one of the outstanding features of the match.

Shore failing, in this respect, to meet with his usual success."

Ottawa Citizen - Mar 9th, 1910:
Ottawa Citizen - Google News Archive Search

Ottawa crushed 17-2 by Fred Taylor and Renfrew (no Fred Lake though).

This was the game where Taylor scored skating backwards!

Just one of those games where everything goes wrong. Brutal in an otherwise mainly dominant era.



Ottawa Citizen - Jan 16th, 1911 (game played on 14th).
Ottawa Citizen - Google News Archive Search

Fred Lake and Hamby Shore were both conspicuous and steady at all stages.



Ottawa Citizen - Jan 23rd, 1911 (game played on 21st)
Ottawa Citizen - Google News Archive Search

Lake blocks Lalonde and forces Newsy to take a dump penalty. Noted for his physical play. Shore gets concussed and comes right back in.

"Lalonde went off for throwing the rubber with his hand after a rush which Lake had blocked with a clever body check, and with one man to the good Ottawa proceeded to out-general the visitors."

Lake with great defensive work and his physical game stuck out:

"Fred Lake was reliable at point and while he did not get down the ice so often as in the game against Wanderers or Renfrew he did a great deal of effective blocking and used his body in such a way as to fill the visiting forwards with respect.

Shore played well but got hurt in the 2nd period, concussion, but like all those lunatics, came back in almost right away.

"Hamby Shore was in great fettle (condition) until the second period when he fell head foremost on the ice (concussion). It was the first time that he had even been injured in a game and Shore was no sooner off than he resumed. Afterwards Hamby was not quite himself although he worked like a little horse."

Ottawa Citizen - Jan 25th, 1911

Lake and Shore helping shut down Cyclone Taylor:

Ottawa Citizen - Jan 30th, 1911 (game played on 28th)
Ottawa Citizen - Google News Archive Search

Another monster game for both. Shore very physical. Lake took a licking and kept ticking and apparently his nickname was Cupid. Shore played goalie for a spell.

"Ottawa defense outstanding feature:

"The oustanding feature of the first period was the stellar work of the Ottawa defence, Shore in particular. Lesueur and Lake blocked several dangerous attacks and the Ottawa forwards, through offside passing lost four or five beautiful opportunities.

"The Ottawa defence was absolutely invulnerable"

"Wanderers had evidently found the Ottawa defence far too strong, for they were laying around their own goal, evidently prepared to adopt "safe" tactics.

"The greatest finish I ever saw commented referee Bowie. "That Ottawa team cannot be beaten"

SHORE WAS BRILLIANT:

"Next to Kerr, Hamby Shore was the most conspicuous player on the Ottawa team. He blocked and rushed in an electrifying manner and would had three or four goals, but for Hern's heady work. Shore did as much rushing as the forwards and repeatedly slammed the big Wanderer men into the boards, depriving them of the puck.

Fred Lake was superb from beginning to end. Marty Walsh, afterwards remarking that "Cupid" (Lake) was the "gamest man he had ever seen". Lake took a heap of punishment but refused to be suppressed. His forehead was painfully gashed and covered with plaster and though he was forced on several occasions to take the count he stayed right with it until the bell rang. Lake was responsible for the 4th goal. Riddy scoring after Fred had carried it down.

Hamby Shore played goal for a spell:

One of the features of the game was Hamby Shore's attempt to score in the third period when he, while playing goal, stopped Marshall's shot and went from end to end."

1 Feb 1911, 8 - The Ottawa Citizen at Newspapers.com

Captain Percy Lesueur says the defensive pairing of Lake and Shore is the best combination he's every played behind. In the spring of 1911 he would have already had both Harvey Pulford and Cyclone Taylor in front of him as teammates in prior seasons. Speaks volumes as to the impact that pairing had on the Silver Seven dominance.

Despite being smaller, they use their bodies more effectively than Cyclone Taylor, Moose Johnson, and others. Noted as clever blockers.

Pete Green mentions that modern hockey players must have 6 capable forwards (people who can carry the puck). This is noted to be perhaps their greatest strength.

Ottawa Citizen - Feb 6th, 1911 (game played on 4th)
Ottawa Citizen - Google News Archive Search

Lake another elite game. Note as having the speed of Cyclone Taylor.

"Fred Lake was there with the goods, as usual and his brilliant work often saved the team where a dangerous attack was imminent. At no time during the game was Lake more dangerous than the overtime play, when the tired Quebec men battered themselves against his stonewall defence in vain, only to see his barred sweater vanishing in a cloud of blue and white forms in the direction of the Quebec nets.

Hamby Shore came back for Ottawa three minutes later and hung up a goal after a quick dart from center ice. The first period ended one to one. Lake came down like a wolf on the fold in the second period and batted in past Moran, who was slumbering at the switch. These rushes of Lake's were very effective all through the game.

He has the speed of Fred Taylor and does not lose his head he gets near the opponents goal with the puck."

Ottawa Citizen - Feb 20th, 1911 (game played on 18th)
Ottawa Citizen - Google News Archive Search

Lake stone wall and apparently rough. Shore star of the night.

"Fred Lake was a stone wall at point and Quebec players learned early in the game to respect his ability to block a man and also to keep away from the boards.

Hamby Shore at cover was probably the star of the night. Shore's block, intercepting, rushing, stick handling and shooting indeed formed a treat for the crowd. The game little cover point never played more effectively.

It was feared that the Ottawas would not have Fred Lake for Saturday's game. However they managed to arrange it, Lake playing beautiful hockey."

Ottawa Citizen - Mar 1st 1911:
Ottawa Citizen - Google News Archive Search

"Lake Defensive Play a Feature."

Ottawa Citizen - Mar 9th 1911 (game played 8th)
Ottawa Citizen - Google News Archive Search

Lake and Shore played beautiful defense. Lalonde not effective.

Lake and Shore formed stonewall defense

Ottawa Citizen - Mar 17th, 1911 (game played on 16th)
Ottawa Citizen - Google News Archive Search

Shore and Lake brilliant. Entire Ottawa system praised.

"They (Port Arthur) passed slower than the Ottawas and as the result, Lake and Shore were able to break up rush after rush surprising ease.

The defence of the champions was its best throughout, the hard ice finding both Lake and Shore in their element.

Lake rushed with great speed, and Shore did likewise, the latter often carving his way from end to end on a serpentine attack that left the Port Arthur players dodging their own shadows. Barring a little selfishness, the work of the Ottawa defense as beyond criticism. Their checking was vastly superior to that of the Westerners and although lighter than McDonough and Carpenter, used their weight to a better advantage.

More incredible teamwork and strategy for Pete Green's bunch from same game:

The shooting of the entire Ottawa's line was brilliant throughout. They never forgot the necessity of checking back when either Lake or Shore went up with the attack. Darragh or Walsh was back to protect Lesueur. Better team play, in fact, has seldom been seen."

Ottawa Citizen - Mar 21st, 1911: (game played on 20th)
Ottawa Citizen - Google News Archive Search

Both men play well.

"The Ottawas on the other hand were exceptionally brilliant. Nothing to excel Percy Lesuer's work in the flags has even been seen in New York.

Lake and Shore, especially Shore, were in great fettle (condition) on the defense, the rushes of both repeatedly captivating the crowd. Lake was very reliable."

Ottawa Citizen - Dec 30th, 1912 (game played on 28th)
Ottawa Citizen - Google News Archive Search

Lake has a massive game. Elite 2 way play while Shore must have been a bit off in this tilt.

The defence on both sides was more or less even, but if anything Lesueur in Ottawa nets outshone Moran at the start, stopping everything that came his way and turning shot after shot aisde that with another goal tend might have counted in Quebec's scoring.

The game was only two minutes old and both sides were striving hard when Lake broke up a Quebec rush and dashed down the entire length of the ice, drawing first blood for Ottawa.

Lake played a wonderful game and was effective both in defense and attack. Lesueur dropped off in a the last few minutes, owing to an injured knee. Lake blocked up the Quebec forwards, broke up their rushes and made frequent onslaughts on the Quebec nets.

Shore was slower than usual.

Ottawa Citizen - Jan 6th, 1913 (game played on 4th)
Ottawa Citizen - Google News Archive Search

More evidence of in game strategy by Pete Green. Keeping a forward high for defensive purposes, he wanted the Canadiens to gas out early, which they did. This got Newsy Lalone off his game. Took dumb penalties including deliberate slashing of Lake. Shore played brilliant game.

Shore's Timely Scores:

Any possible chance that Canadiens, who recuperated slightly in the third period, had of winning was blown to smithereens six minutes after the start of the third, when "Bride-groom" Hamby Shore broke away from a cluster of struggling players and went from goal to goal, dodging Laviolette and Vezina and making it 4 to 1.

The brilliant work on Shore's part brought down the hosue, and, as the Ottawa cover started back to his position, a big man in the south end jumped to his feet and shouted, "You're doing pretty well fro a newly-wed, Hamby."

Shore again sent the Ottawa supporters wild with enthusiasm when he tiptoed his way through for another goal.

Then the Senators fell back on the defensive and it was all over.

Lalonde deliberately cut Fred Lake across the knees

Then came the Shore-Laviolette exhibition. "Lavvy" cut Hamby down twice, and the third time he did so, Shore swung round and trimmed his hair. They clenched, and it looked from the press box as if "Lavvy were doing to the Ottawa boy what McCarty did to Al Palzer, but Clymer (Shore's nickname apparently) skated off without a mark, and Laviolette had a cut under his eye.

While Petie Green's strategy in holding back Ronan throughout the first period, and allowing Canadiens to exhaust their energy was the chief factor in the success of the Ottawans.

Next to Broadbent, Hamby Shore was the most conspicuous man on the ice. He scored three of Ottawa's goals, two of which followed beautiful lone rushes, and blocked better than ever before.

Altogether Canadiens were a big disappointment to their followers and if the Ottawans continue the system of play which Manager Green adopted for Saturday's struggle it is certain that Canadiens will soon find it necessary to change their bing-bang, merry-go-round tactics, which were useless against the double defence.

Ottawa Citizen - Jan 16th, 1913
Ottawa Citizen - Google News Archive Search

Shore and Lake both played magnificently. Shore noted as going like a high power car in the Vanderbilt Cup race!

"Fred Lake was the best man on the ice in the first half.

In fact, he was the only Ottawa player, who appeared to loosen up at the start of the match. His long rushes brought down the house and blasted to smithereens the theory that he would be the weak man this winter.

Lake if anything, is playing the best hockey of his career. Ask Sam Litchenhein and he'll corroborate this.

Hamby Shore at cover did magnificent work all night. He spent most of his time on the defense in the first half and blocked with exceptional effectiveness, but in the second half, Shore went down with the forwards and succeeded in registering two beautiful goals.

He and Lake showed improved judgement in blocking the man, throwing their avoirdupois (weight) around the ice with good results, much to the distress of Ernie Russel, Oddie Cleghorn, and Harry Hyland, who found it impossible to bore through.

At the finish, Shore was going like a high power car in the Vanderbilt Cup race. Once he went down alone and found the nets from thirty feet out. Boyes didn't see the rubber until it landed in the dry goods behind him"

Ottawa Citizen - Jan 20th, 1913 (game played on 18th)
Ottawa Citizen - Google News Archive Search

Ottawa got shut out. Lake and Shore had their worst of games of the season here.



Ottawa Citizen - Jan 23rd, 1913 (game played on 22nd)
Ottawa Citizen - Google News Archive Search

Ottawa loses 4-3 in OT but Shore and especially Lake were mentioned playing better hockey. Shore was a focal point of Tech's game plan to stop Ottawa. Also mentions that Ottawas struggles have to do with lack of ability/size/grit at F. This seems to be a running theme at the end of Pete Green's first run as Ottawa's coach. You'll see more evidence of ownership being blamed for not paying to keep their star forwards.

"Both Lake and Shore played better hockey than in the Canadien game and Lake was perhaps the hardest worker on the Ottawa team.

"LAKE WORKED HARD"

He started the Ottawa rally with a grand piece of individual play it he second period and was at all times dangerous.

Throop, Gaul and Smith appeared to pay particular attention to Shore and he only had two or three shots at the flags of the red and white.

"NEED MORE PLAYERS"

What Ottawa needs is two more big rugged forwards, who can go in and take and give punishment. Until they land a couple of strong men they will continue to slump."

Ottawa Citizen - Feb 3rd, 1913 (game played on 1st)
Ottawa Citizen - Google News Archive Search

Lake plays D and F. Sens deal out big punishment at direction of Green. Pitre mentioned as soft. Fred Lake knocked out cold from a hard shot to the forehead (that's why we have helmets now haha). Lake called ballast of Ottawa team.

"Handing out in the second session the same kind of medicine, Manager Green had prescribed in the first, the Ottawas sent Canadiens to their dressing room badly battered. They themselves were bruised and aching.

"In the third, Ottawa brought Merrill back and placed plucky Fred Lake on the line (F).

As for Pire, he never had a chance. They say a few good stiff body checks will cause the the big fellow to wave the white flag, in sporting parlance - to "quite".

Darragh and Merrill gave him particular attention in that department and Pitre was soon as tame as a kitchen cat.

Fred Lake was knocked cold as the result of stopping a swiftly driven puck with his head.

Seldom if ever did the flying Frenchmen get inside the Ottawa defence. Lake played a clever game throughout especially in the third period when he carried the puck down time after time for shots that had Vezina on pins and needles.

Lake is the ballst of the Ottawa team all right and none of the visitors cared to take chances with him."

Hamby Shore was only in the game a short time, but he too played his best hockey to date. Shore forgot that there was such a thing as an opposing goal and concentrated his attention toward his own nets with satisfactory results."

Ottawa Citizen - Feb 10th, 1913 (game played on 8th)
Ottawa Citizen - Google News Archive Search

More evidence of Pete Green using different tactics. More evidence of the papers pinning blame on the ownership for letting quality players like Marty Walsh and Dubbie Kerr walk, and not poor coaching by Green.

"Manager Petie Green used eleven players throughout the match. He started with Fred Lake up on the line where he had not played since he arrived in Ottawa in 1908. Shore, Merrill and Lesueur formed the defence.

Both Merrill and Shore were good on the defence.

The hockey fans appear to blame the clubs directors for the slump of the team. It must be remembered however that the Ottawas are producing more money for their present team than any other club in the league.

Neither is it manager Green's fault. Petie has worked untiringly with the material at his disposal and it must be heart breaking to see teams like Quebec and Tecumsahs come here and tame then on their own ice.

They allowed the Patricks to kindnap Carl Krendall and Fred Taylor; also that they did not make an effort to retain Albert Kerr or Marty Walsh who went West last summer."

Ottawa Citizen - Feb 17th, 1913 (game played on 15th)
Ottawa Citizen - Google News Archive Search

Even more evidence of Green's ability to adopt different strategies based on the other team:

"Ottawa adopted entirely different tactics. Although several minors were recorded against them it was not for deliberate rough play. Once they assumed the lead they made sure of holding it and throughout the second and final periods played a strictly defensive game, one of the forwards always being held well back.

In the last went minutes there were several changes made to keep a fresh man on the ice while the Canadiens finished without a change except that made necessary by the penalties to Lalonde and Pitre."

Ottawa Citizen - Feb 27th, 1913 (game played on 26th)
Ottawa Citizen - Google News Archive Search

"Outside of Lesueur, Hamby Shore was the only other Ottawa man to show anything. Unlike the McNamaras, he was good on the defensive, his rushes on most occasions resulting in a shot on the goal.

On the defensive he and Merrill were inclined to play too much much in centre ice, thus giving Tecumsahs a chance to shoot from the side. "

Ottawa Citizen - Mar 6th, 1913 (game played on 5th)
Ottawa Citizen - Google News Archive Search

Short report. Ottawa lost to league champions Quebec, 8-6.

Hamby Shore scored 3 goals but nothing was really mentioned about individual performances. Game was mentioned as very fast paced and more or less wide open going both ways.

Odds and ends:

Ottawa practice strategy. Actually game planning for a smaller rink.


7 Dec 1907, 5 - The Ottawa Citizen at Newspapers.com

9 Dec 1907, 8 - The Ottawa Citizen at Newspapers.com

9 Mar 1908, 8 - The Ottawa Citizen at Newspapers.com

13 Mar 1908, 8 - The Ottawa Citizen at Newspapers.com

Ottawa Citizen - Jan 19th, 1910: (game played on the 18th)
Ottawa Citizen - Google News Archive Search

Pete Green knows a losing strategy when he sees one (talking about Edmonton wearing themselves out early)

"They won't last half the game at that clip" murmured Pete Green as he watched Hay Millar and Fred Whitcroft execute a wonderful piece of work for Edmonton's fourth goal. "They are playing a losing game."

And so it proved. Towards the close of the first half, the ice commenced to grow slushy, the big crowd and the friction of the skates having the usual effect. Slush began to form in spots and the pace slackened considerably.

Then Edmonton started to wilt.

First, Hay Millar, who it was afterwards explained was not in shape, showed signs of weakening; then Deeton, who had been darting here and there with the rubber eased up and finally the lightning defense men of the visitors gave indications of tiring, Ross and Field loitering on three or four occasions after they had carried the disc to the Ottawa citadel.

The Western forwards slowed up in their checking back, while the home team was just beginning to "steady down." "Condition will tell," spectators repeated to one another and Ottawa it developed, had the necessary staying power.

Edmonton, true to Pete Green's prediction, wilted just as quickly as they had started out. With ten minutes to go in the first half they were showing signs of distress; with five minutes to go one could that Ottawa was bound to win out."


Ottawa Citizen - Feb 21st, 1910:

"Penalties beat us; that's all there is to it," remarked Manager Petie Green of the Ottawas after the battle, the players and officers agreeing with Green's explanation of a reverse that might have been turned into a victory."


Hamby Shore is chosen for East Coast All Star team to go against their West Coast counterparts.

14 Mar 1912, 9 - The Ottawa Citizen at Newspapers.com

30 Dec 1914, 9 - The Ottawa Citizen at Newspapers.com

Hamby Shore playing like the most valuable player in the entire NHA. In 1917 when he was 30, one year before retiring. On a team with Nighbor, Gerard, Boucher, etc.

22 Jan 1917, 8 - The Ottawa Citizen at Newspapers.com

More glowing remarks for Hamby Shore directly made after his untimely passing in 1918.


15 Oct 1918, 8 - The Ottawa Citizen at Newspapers.com

From the same paper.

Shore was the key member in stopping the famed Renfrew team with studs like Lalonde, the Patrick brothers, etc, in 1910.

Recalling in 1911 he was the best all around defensemen in the league. Noted his phenomenal speed and great stick handling.

From page 10 of the same paper: Shore was incredibly respected apparently.

Noted bowler and footballer as well.

9 Dec 1918, 8 - The Ottawa Citizen at Newspapers.com

Lake called on of the most popular players to ever put on a skate.

10 Mar 1919, 9 - The Ottawa Citizen at Newspapers.com

Art Ross comes to Hamby Shore's memorial game.

Ross will help pay for monument to honor Shore

12 Mar 1919, 8 - The Ottawa Citizen at Newspapers.com

Monument funded for Hamby Shore who is called one of the greatest all around hockey players in the game. (Really neat article, click link).

3 May 2009, 8 - The Ottawa Citizen at Newspapers.com

Hamby Shore died from the Spanish flu nursing his wife back to health. Noted as arguably the most prominent death in Ottawa.

This article was written in 2009.

 

[Dreakmur]

Keith Yandle !!!


Awards and Achievements:
Norris voting - 5th(2011), 12th(2013), 13th(2012)

Offensive Accomplishments:
Points among Defensemen - 3rd(2011), 4th(2013), 5th(2019), 6th(2014), 9th(2015), 11th(2020), 12th(2018), 14th(2012), 15th(2016)
PP Points among Defensemen - 1st(2014), 1st(2019), 3rd(2015), 8th(2011), 8th(2020), 11th(2016), 14th(2017)

Play-off Points among Defensemen - 3rd(2015), 5th(2012)

World Championship Points among Defensemen - 3rd(2010)


5 Year Peak: 2011 to 2015
2nd in Points among Defensemen, 86% of 1st place Erik Karlsson
2nd in Points among Defensemen, 94% of 1st place Erik Karlsson

10th in Play-off Points among Defensemen

10 Year Peak: 2011 to 2020
3rd in Points among Defensemen, 99% of 2nd place Brent Burns
1st in PP Points among Defensemen, 103% of 2nd place Erik Karlsson


Scoring Percentages:
Points among Defensemen - 95(2011), 87(2014), 87(2015), 84(2018), 84(2019), 82(2020), 81(2012), 79(2013), 73(2017), 70(2016), 69(2010)
Best 6 Seasons - 519

PP Points among Defensemen - 118(2019), 100(2014), 97(2015), 84(2011), 81(2016), 81(2020), 67(2017), 56(2018), 53(2010)
Best 6 Seasons - 561





Playing Time:
TOI - 1st(2011), 1st(2012), 1st(2017), 1st(2018), 2nd(2013), 2nd(2014), 2nd(2015), 2nd(2019), 4th(2010), 4th(2016), 4th(2020)
ES TOI - 1st(2011), 1st(2012), 1st(2013), 1st(2014), 1st(2015), 2nd(2018), 3rd(2010), 3rd(2017), 3rd(2019), 4th(2016)
PP TOI - 1st(2011), 1st(2012), 1st(2014), 1st(2015), 1st(2016), 1st(2017), 1st(2018), 1st(2019), 1st(2020), 2nd(2010), 2nd(2013)
SH TOI - 2nd(2018), 4th(2017)

Has explosive skating ability, superior offensive instincts, great puckhandling skills and a lethal shot. Is very adept at playing the point on the power play. Competes well, initiates the attack and covers a lot of ice. Has stamina. Needs to continue adding more bulk, since he can struggle when opposed to the NHL's biggest forwards. Must tighten up his play without the puck and avoid some occasional bad decisions when he has it (and is pressured).

Defenseman with ample offensive abilities and power-play experience. The team’s marquee trade-deadline acquisition had some shaky moments in the semifinals, particularly when paired with Boyle, but made a few excellent defensive plays in Game 7 and picked up an assist on the game winner that clinched the series in OT.

Yandle has a very high skill level and competitive edge. A gifted player with natural instincts. He’s an offensive defenseman, who can move the puck with ease and loves to attack the opposition and join the rush. On the flip-side, he needs to focus on his positioning and needs to learn to tighten up play in his own zone.

Keith is the total package of skating, size, skill, hockey sense, vision and leadership ability. He is a clutch performer who is at his best in highly competitive situations. He is especially strong quarterbacking the power play. He is very strong passing the puck with hard accurate passes. He is also very strong in his own end.

 

[Dreakmur]

Camille Henry !!!


Awards and Achievements:
Lady Byng Trophy (1958)
Second Team All-Star (1958)

Lady Byng voting - 1st(1958), 2nd(1963), 3rd(1959), 3rd(1964), 4th(1965), 5th(1962)
All-Star voting - 2nd(1958), 3rd(1964), 4th(1965)


Offensive Accomplishments:
Points - 11th(1958), 13th(1959), 13th(1963), 13th(1964), 15th(1961), 19th(1954)
Goals - 2nd(1963), 3rd(1958), 4th(1964), 6th(1954), 6th(1965), 7th(1961), 12th(1959), 13th(1962)
Assists - 12th(1959)

PP Points - 1st(1959), 2nd(1954), 2nd(1958), 7th(1963), 8th(1965), 9th(1961), 18th(1960)
PP Goals - 1st(1954), 1st(1958), 1st(1965), 2nd(1963), 5th(1959), 5th(1961), 6th(1964), 8th(1957), 12th(1962), 18th(1960), 20th(1969)


Scoring Percentages:
Points - 79(1958), 74(1963), 71(1959), 71(1964), 64(1954), 59(1961), 53(1965)
Best 6 Seasons - 418

PP Points - 103(1959), 100(1954), 100(1958), 80(1963), 79(1965), 56(1964), 52(1961)
Best 6 Seasons - 518

PP Goals - 136(1958), 123(1965), 118(1954), 100(1963), 77(1959), 64(1964), 62(1961), 60(1962), 50(1969)
Best 6 Seasons - 618

For 12 seasons and 637 games, the 5'7" and barely 145lb Camille Henry was one of the biggest stars on Broadway.

The stylish Henry, both on and off the ice, endeared him to the fans of New York right away. On the ice he was a slippery and elusive magician, hence the nickname "Camille The Eel." Off the ice he was a favorite with the media and therefore well connected to the fans. Because of his willingness to talk, often in an entertaining fashion, he was labeled as a quote machine by the media.

He was one of the National Hockey League's most accomplished snipers of his era, particularly noted for his uncanny ability to deflect shots past goalies, usually on the power play.

When the majestic, six-feet-two, 192-pound Jean Beliveau graduated from the Quebec Citadelles, the man picked to fill his skates was scrawny Camille "The Eel" Henry, a five-foot-nine, 150-pound weakling with an extraordinary puck sense and so beloved disposition. Camille actually was able to succeed in following Beliveau's ompresive act with the Citadelles. What Beliveau had in size, Henry had in brains. There never was a craftier forward who could thread a needle with a puck and stick if need be.

He had a big influence on me when I first came to New York in 1960. Cammy wasn't a very big man. But he certainly played like a big man. And he had the heart of a big man.

He has skills that you don't see in many players. It isn't just that he happens to be in the right place at the right time, though he has that faculty. You won't see him score any picture goals, either. But he scores goals in his own peculiar way.

....

He got a big one for us against Boston and it looked like sheer luck. We had the pressure on and Leo Reise fired a pass to him that was knee high. He got his stick on it and flicked it into the net. He made about three moves on the play. Goals on deflections are considered lucky, but Henry gets too many that way. After you've seen him do it a few times you know it's skill.

He has the best reflexes of any hockey player I've seen. He's like a cat. Never off balance and always with his eye on the puck. And he's an opportunist. That's why he scores so often when there's a scramble in front of the nets.

 

[overpass]

Allan McLean "Scotty" Davidson

​

Scotty Davidson's memory and legend was a powerful one in the early days of professional hockey. The dominant junior hockey star, who had experienced early professional success in two seasons in Toronto, was the first professional hockey player to volunteer to join the armed foces, and then he lost his life when serving his country in the First World War.

Scotty Davidson won at multiple levels and with multiple teams. He led the Kingston Frontenacs to OHA junior titles in 1910 and 1911. He led the Calgary Athletic club to first place in Alberta senior hockey for 1911-12, although they lost to the Winnipeg Victorias in the Allan Cup challenge. And he led the Toronto Blueshirts to a Stanley Cup championship in 1914 as the best player and team captain.

Many early hockey men considered Davidson among the greatest players they had seen play. Davidson was voted to the RW position on the first team on the Macleans all-time team compiled by Charles H Good in 1925. J. E. Ahern, sporting editor of the Halifax Herald, Tommy Gorman of Ottawa, Lou Marsh (referee), Ross Mackay of the Sault Ste. Marie Star, and James T Sutherland of Kingston were among those who selected Davidson to their all-time first hockey team. Sutherland coached Davidson as a junior in Kingston. Gorman, Marsh, and Mackay selected Davidson as a RW, and Ahern and Sutherland named Davidson at the defence position.

Other people to name Scotty Davidson to their all-time teams included Cyclone Taylor, Jack Adams, Eddie Livingstone (owner of the Toronto hockey club in the NHA), Frank Selke (for the 1900-1926 era only), and longtime referee Mike Rodden, who refereed over 1000 NHL games.

Mike Rodden became a Globe and Mail sports columnist in the 1930s, and he frequently mentioned that he considered Scotty Davidson to be the greatest hockey player of all time. Rodden had played for Queens University (located in Kingston) from 1910-1913, and Davidson was dominating junior hockey with the Kingston Frontenacs in the first two of those years. Rodden almost certainly played against Davidson. Some quotes from Rodden:

Mike Rodden, the Globe and Mail, April 17, 1930: Good and all as Charlie Conacher undoubtedly is -- he will be better -- he or no other player will ever make any one forget the late "Scotty" Davidson, probably the greatest performer hockey has ever known. As a defenceman, centre, or wing player, Davidson was a star. He possessed abnormal strength, and was as smooth a stickhandler as one would wish to see. The great Kingston player gave his life in the cause of the Allies in the Armageddon when he was still a youngster, and had not yet attained the high peak of ability that he alone could have reached.

Alf Smith, one of the immortals of the sport, once said to us in Ottawa "Davidson was the greatest of them all. He was letter-perfect in all departments of play. His wrists were so powerful that he brused aside the checkers and made them look foolish. He had a terrific shot, and even the great goalkeepers of that era were frightened every time he fired."

Mike Rodden, the Globe and Mail, April 17, 1936: Whether rightly or wrongly, it is my impression that "Scotty" Davidson and "Cyclone" Taylor were the greatest all-round players the sport has ever produced. They could play on defense, the wings, centre or rover with equal effectiveness -- in other words, were superstars.

Globe and Mail Feb 17, 1938, in Rodden's column: We, in our humble opinion, submit the suggestion that Davidson was the best all-around hockeyist in history. Weighing close to 200 punds he was remarkably fast and was equally proficient at right wing or on the defense. He was an uncanny stick-handler, a letter-perfect checker, an accurate marksman and the inspirational figure around which teams were built."

Globe and Mail Feb 24, 1938, in Rodden's column: One of Rodden's correspondents, in response to Rodden putting Davidson at the top: I agree that the late Scotty Davidson may have been the greatest of all puckchasers, but he did things so easily and methodically that many overlooked him as one of the super stars.

Davidson broke into the NHA as a defence player in the first 6 games of the 1912-13 NHA season, starting at point in 4 of the games and cover-point in 2 of the games alongside Harry Cameron. He played the last 14 games of the season as the starter at RW, after Jack Marshall stepped on the ice as a playing coach at the point position and moved Davidson up to the line. The team struggled at first with the Foyston-McGiffen-Wilson forward combination and the Davidson-Cameron defence, and after Marshall joined the team they settled on a Nighbor-McGiffen-Davidson starting line backed by Marshall and Cameron, and with Foyston and Wilson coming off the bench. The team started 1-5 and then went 8-6 with the improved forward line, as Nighbor and Davidson provided better offensive and defensive play from the wing position. McGiffen at centre was not a strong point, and one wonders what they could have done with Foyston in the starting lineup and and with Nighbor at C instead of LW. There were also a couple of mentions later in the season that Davidson appeared to be out of condition.

For the 1913-14 season, Davidson started 19 games at RW and 1 game at cover-point (the game that Cameron missed with an injured shoulder). Davidson also dropped back to cover-point in a couple of other games where Cameron left early due to injury.

From a piece by Matthew Walthert for The Athletic:
“He was a brawler and used his elbows a lot,” said Al Stevenson, Davidson’s grandnephew. “And a pretty heavy drinker, too. He played to win.”

The young forward, with his square jaw and handsome flourish of light-brown hair, was skilled — he finished fourth in NHA scoring in his final season — but he was also at home when the game turned rough.

“Davidson stepped into the National League and immediately proceeded to make the experienced campaigners look foolish,” Mike Rodden wrote in the Globe. “His wrists were made of ‘iron,’ he was a brilliant stick-handler, he could skate with the best of them, he could check, and he could score. He was the ideal player, and, in my estimation, he was all alone.”

He was not above criticism, though. Late in that 1913–14 season — and despite the fact Davidson was scoring almost two points a game — Harper wrote there were “widely circulated rumours about breaks from training and sobriety by Scotty and his young Blue Shirt teammates.”

Still, Toronto beat Montreal and their legendary goaltender Georges Vezina in a two-game NHA tie-breaker series to win the Cup, with Davidson scoring the winning goal.

 

[Dreakmur]

Wade Redden !!!


Awards and Achievements:
World Cup Gold Medal (2004)

Norris voting - 5th(2006), 9th(2003), 10th(2004), 11th(2000), 12th(2001)
All-Star voting - 5th(2006), 9th(2003), 10th(2004), 11th(2001)

Scoring Accomplishments:
Points among Defensemen - 11th(2003), 12th(2006), 13th(2001), 13th(2004)

Play-off Points among Defensemen - 4th(2003), 4th(2007), 6th(2006)

IIHF Points among Defensemen - 7th(2005)


5-Year Peak: 2001 to 2006
10th in Points among Defensemen, 73% of 2nd place Sergei Gonchar
8th in ES Points among Defensemen, 81% of 2nd place Nickas Lidstrom

8th in Play-off Points among Defensemen


10-Year Peak: 1999-2009
11th in Points among Defensemen, 72% of 2nd place Sergei Gonchar
7th in ES Points among Defensemen, 79% of 2nd place Scott Niedermayer

8th in Play-off Points among Defensemen


Scoring Percentages:
Points among Defensemen - 80(2004), 70(2006), 67(2003), 66(2001), 58(2000), 58(2002), 54(2007), 51(1999)
Best 6 Seasons - 399

ES Points among Defensemen - 83(2001), 78(2004), 71(2003), 66(2002), 64(2008), 62(1998), 61(1997), 60(2006), 58(1999), 57(2000)
Best 6 Seasons - 424





Team Time on Ice:
ES - 1st(2001), 1st(2002), 2nd(2000), 2nd(2003), 2nd(2008), 3rd(2004), 3rd(2006), 3rd(2007), 4th(2009), 4th(2010)

SH - 1st(1999), 1st(2004), 2nd(2000), 2nd(2003), 3rd(1998), 3rd(2001), 3rd(2002), 3rd(2006), 3rd(2010), 4th(2007), 4th(2009)

Team Defensive Results:
Team GA - 2nd(2006), 3rd(1999), 5th(2003), 6th(2009), 8th(2004), 9th(1998), 9th(2001), 10th(2000), 10th(2007), 10th(2010)

Team PK - 1st(2009), 3rd(2000), 3rd(2001), 4th(2006), 7th(2010), 8th(1999), 9th(2007), 10th(2003)

The Loydminster, Saskatchewan native emerged as one of the top all-around defenceman in the NHL, posting a career high 47 points during the 2000-01 season and continues to be a leader on the ice leader with the Sens.

Following the NHL lockout of 2004-05 the Senators re-signed the defenceman. Over the next three seasons, Redden would anchor the club's blueline and contribute offensively. In 2006-07, Redden and the Senators came within three wins of capturing the Stanley Cup.

He proved himself a true young star in the league and a player the Senators would need if they were going to win in the playoffs. Big, tough, and unflappable, Redden led the defense by example. He never panicked and never tried to do too much. The result was that he became a natural team leader.

Plays with ice water in his veins and never gets rattled. Is extremely durable, a good skater and fine passer. Owns an accurate point shot.

McCrimmon describes Redden as unassuming and modest; a player who doesn't impress with flashiness but wows with poise under pressure.

"His panic point is very low," he explained. "He makes the right decisions under pressure, and makes it look easy."

Team captain Daniel Alfredsson describes Redden as a quiet, funny guy who likes his privacy but always shows up with a smile.

"He's not the most vocal guy, but he really leads by example. He's got the respect of all the guys," he said. "He mingles with everyone and goes to dinner with different people. I don't think he's a very good cook, so I don't think he eats at home very much."

Coach Jacques Martin says Redden has earned that respect from his teammates with character, values and commitment to the game. He plays smart, is a tremendous passer and understands hockey; but there's maybe room for more aggression.

the fact that Wade Redden's teammates took up a collection to buy him a gift, is in some ways, even more nonsensical than you think… Redden draws a seven figure salary that starts with a six while playing in a league where the minimum annual stipend is $37,500 this year. That alone makes it more than a bit intriguing that he was on the receiving end of anything in addition to those hefty paychecks… "He's always been a professional, so it was really a non-issue," said Connecticut whale coach Ken Gernander. "He came down, worked hard and did everything that was asked of him. There was no negative response on his part at all."

Jeremy Williams, Redden's whale teammate, agreed with that assessment. "A lot of guys might be bitter in his situation, but he came down and he's really teaching the young players and really helping the young defenseman out. He's a guy you want in your dressing room. He's a fun guy to be around, he cracks jokes, but at the same time, when it's time to get down to it, he's a great leader.

The extra change in their already deep pockets meant Redden and Finger could afford to dole out more than counsel to their young teammates. "He's very generous," said Williams of Redden. I grinning Redden noted being benevolent is all about teaching the young boys some proper manners. "I've treated them to a few meals out. These young guys are just starting their careers, I've got to show them proper etiquette at the dinner table."

Redden's demotion coincided with the birth of a daughter early in the season, so suffice it to say, with a wife and young family, the guy still has had a lot going on this year. The fact he's still managed to connect with his surroundings in Connecticut and drop a few of his dollars on teammates is why Williams and his mates, despite the fact that many of them draw salaries similar to those who patronize minor-league hockey, wanted to pony up and get something in return. "We pooled some money together from the guys and got him a nice watch for everything he's done for us earlier on in the year. We might have to go get him another one soon."

Of course, what every banished NHLer wants is a chance to get back to playing at the highest level… It's hard to say what Redden's chances of an NHL return are, especially with three full years remaining on his deal. Still, Redden isn't interested in making bus trips any longer than they have to be by letting nagging thoughts roll around in his head. "There's no sense looking back on things and wondering where things could have been different," he said. I want to build a good year, have a good season and want to see what happens in the summertime."

Contemporary Scouting Reports:

The Senators were very satisfied with Redden's rookie year… Unspectacular but very solid, two-way player… Redden is dead calm with the puck and wise without it. Pressure? The NHL rookie of the month for April just doesn't know the word and played his best hockey down the stretch, even scoring the goal that catapulted the Senators into the playoffs. Doesn't throw people over the boards but will play the body effectively. Displays good mobility and rink vision.

Redden has tried to pattern his game after Ray Bourque, and the youngster has a few things in common with the Boston great. He is a good skater who can change gears swiftly and smoothly, and his superb rink vision enables him to get involved in his team's attack. He has a high skill level. His shot is hard and accurate and he is a patient and precise passer.

Redden plays older than his years and has a good grasp of the game. As he has been tested at higher and higher levels of competition he has elevated his game. his poise is exceptional.

Redden's work habits and attitude are thoroughly professional. he seems to be a player who is willing to learn in order to improve his game at the NHL level.

Redden is not a big hitter, but he finishes his checks and stands up well. What he lacks in aggressiveness he makes up for with his competitive nature. He can handle a lot of icetime. He plays an economical game without a lot of wasted effort, is durable, and can skate all night long.

Redden was Ottawa's best defenseman down the stretch and into the playoffs. He has such a laid-Back demeanour that perhaps the urgency doesn't hit him until the finish line is in sight. He raises his game when something is on the line.

Redden has quietly but rapidly matured into Ottawa's most reliable blueliner, and was one of the few bright spots during the postseason. A solid mix of poise, intelligence and mobility, he rarely makes mistakes in his own end and has steadily gained confidence in his puck handling and passing abilities.

His ability to move the puck is one of his best assets... He consistently plays against other teams' top lines... has a very long fuse

Ottawa's playoff hopes were dealt a huge blow when their best defensemen fractured his foot in the final game of the season… Smart two-way rearguard with excellent poise and mobility, he is very adept at moving the puck and regularly plays against the opposition's best line, however he logged over 25 min. per game in the first half and started to wear down after midseason… Steadily expanding his offensive repertoire.

Redden took his game to a new level in 2001, establishing himself as one of hockey's elite two-way defenders. However, he crashed and burned in the playoffs. The big Saskatchewan product always stays calm, cool and collected on the ice. He makes a great first pass out of his own end and is great at joining the rush. He has become a real leader on the Senators blueline and is a workhorse. His tremendous shot is also valuable on the power play.

Redden was mature when he broke into the game. He is smart and his level rises with the competition.

Redden has lived up to the expectations associated with being the second overall selection in the 1995 draft. His calm, collective game forces the Senators to use him in all situations. In fact, he was Ottawa's leader in average ice time last season. He possesses great offensive instincts and doesn't shy away from joining the attack. While he could use his size a little better, he uses hockey smarts to get the job done in his own end. A solid playoff performance last spring has only heightened Redden's value. While his offense of totals won't get significantly higher, his excellent all-around game should soon garner some Norris trophy attention.

although he failed to repeat his career totals from 2001, he did deliver a better overall performance last season, leading the club in ice time as part of an effective top duo and making up for past playoff failures with a much grittier showing… A poised, well-rounded blueliner with excellent mobility, Redden isn't flashy or overly physical, and can be outmuscled by stronger opponents as he was at times in the Trenton series, but he moves the puck intelligently and competes hard in his own end.

Redden is on the short list of world-class defensemen. He's unflappable with the puck, whether it's threading a breakout pass, dodging a forechecker or running the power play. Away from the puck, his defensive reads and positioning are as good as you can get, although he could play with more of an edge. Overall, Redden is the backbone of the Senators defense and usually logs over 25 min. per game.

stayed in peak condition over the lockout as he was likely Canada's best defensemen at the world championship in May… Smooth, cerebral blueline or with top-notch mobility and poise… Moves puck safely and boasts a terrific one timer… May lack a natural mean streak, but offsets with solid positioning and competitiveness, and also looks to be getting progressively stronger.

#32: Wade Redden: dependable at both ends of the ice, Redden has added an edge to his game.

#16: Wade Redden: excellent two-way performer is dependable in his own zone and has the ability to lead the power play, an important commodity in today's game.

Wade Redden has traveled a long ways from being the second overall pick in the 1995 NHL entry draft and from the heady days of 10 to 16 GVT, which he managed for his first nine NHL seasons, all with the Ottawa Senators. After two lesser seasons with Ottawa in 2007 and 2008, the Rangers took a chance on Redden's return to glory, certainly looking at how they paid. But aside from the sticker shock and the tanking offense – admittedly, to pretty major points – there's actually a decent bit to like about Redden as a defensive defenseman: he's an above-average even strength defender and solid penalty killer who will block a handful of shots and threw a few hits. He even draws more penalties than he takes, which is not too shabby for a defenseman starting to lose his fastball.

 

[TheDevilMadeMe]

Rusty Crawford, LW/C/D

The following is just a mashup of two existing bios by seventieslord and overpass

A tireless backchecker and a great team player, Rusty was one of the best.

A speedy forward who was at home at either centre or wing

Highlights

• 9 times top-10 in assists, 7 times in top leagues.
• 4 times top-10 in goals, 2 times in top leagues
• 4 times top-10 in PIM
• HHOF
• Stanley Cup - 1913, 1918
• 3 retro Selkes awarded by Ultimate Hockey - 1915 NHA, 1917 NHA, 1922 WCHL.
• A career that spanned over 20 years and until age 45.
• Maintained or exceeded his levels of production in the playoffs at all levels.

He was 5'11, 165 pounds, which may be small by today's standards, but I checked the NHA rosters of those seasons and he was one of the few tallest players in the league and above the league average in weight. That would make him about 6'4", 210 by today's standards.

Statistical analysis

Everywhere Rusty went, he was an excellent playmaker and a gritty performer.

-In 1911, in the SPHL, he finished 2nd in goals and made the first AST.
-In 1913, Rusty finished 3rd in playoff goals and won the Stanley Cup.
-In 1914, he was 6th in assists and 11th in points in the NHA.
-In 1915, he was 10th in goals, 4th in assists, and 8th in points in the NHA.
-In 1916, still in the NHA, Crawford was 8th in goals, 10th in assists, and 8th in points.
-In 1917, he showed his gritty side, finishing 6th in points and 6th in PIM in the NHA.
-In 1918, the NHL's inagural season, Rusty finished 4th in PIMs.
-In 1919, at age 34, he showed he wasn't done, finishing 9th in assists.
-In 1920, He regained his amateur status and joined the SSHL, finishing 4th in assists - this league featured Dick Irvin and George Hay.
-In 1921, still in the SSHL, he led the league in assists, also placing 6th in goals and 3rd in points - at age 36! He also came 5th in playoff goals and points.
-In 1922, Crawford again joined top-flight hockey in the WCHL and actually finished 4th in assists, 10th in points, and 4th in PIM.
-In 1923, he placed 9th in assists in the WCHL.
-In 1927, rounding out his career in the AHA, Crawford came 5th in PIMs and 2nd in playoff goals - exceeded only by Cooney Weiland. This was no bush league. The league featured Weiland, Herb Lewis, Barney Stanley, Cy Wentworth, Moose Goheen, Moose Johnson, Eddie Oatman, Duke Keats, and Corb Denneny.
-In 1928, Rusty Crawford capped an outstanding career, finishing first in playoff goals and 2nd in playoff points in the AHA, again with only Cooney Weiland exceeding or meeting his totals.

His career totals:

Top leagues (NHL, NHA, WCHL): 259-111-63-174-424
Top league playoffs, incl. St-Cup: 12-6-2-8-19
Other leagues (good but not NHA level): 196-72-23-95-171
Other league playoffs: 32-13-3-16-73

Totals in all organized hockey: 499-202-91-293-687

Descriptions of playing style, all copied from @overpass

From Bob Duff's The First Season: 1917-18 and the Birth of the NHL

Rusty Crawford: Defence/Left Wing A rancher in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Crawford was well-travelled on and off the ice. "He can play just as good a game on defence as up on the line, and vice versa," the Ottawa Journal reported. "He is a speed artist from the word go, and it is doubtful if there is a faster skater in the league." That speed came in handy. Because Rusty was a man on the move. Crawford played pro hockey from 1912-1930, skating in six leagues and suiting up for eight teams. He was 45 when he hung up his blades. Crawford played for five different teams in the Stanley Cup final, winning with the Quebec Bulldogs in 1912-13 and again with Toronto in 1917-18. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1962.

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Joe Pelletier:

Rusty was known for his fast skating and his left handed shot. He was a very versatile as a forward giving a strong performance as either right or left wing or center. The early bible of hockey "Trail of the Stanley Cup" described him as "a tireless backchecker," something not always practiced by forwards of his day. He also played with a physical edge and more than once found himself losing his temper and getting into trouble.

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Daily Telegraph, Jan 16, 1913

Russell Crawford, Quebec’s new all-around player, is making a hit with the fans…and before coming to Quebec was one of the fastest men in the Western league.

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Montreal Gazette, Jan 30, 1913

Crawford…showed a world of speed. In fact, he was the fastest man on the ice.

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

January 22, 1918 Toronto Star

The work of “Rusty” Crawford last night was positively sensational. He showed us as much “pep” as a “hop” horse going to the post. The way he dodged and checked and hurdled had the crowd on its feet cheering him wildly. He would grab the puck on his own defense, dodge the Canadiens first line, tear into the defence, hurdle between Hall and Corbeau, slam one at Vezina, come back and take the puck from the relieving Canadien player, and come back for another chance. He leaped and curvetted like a two-year-old. Once Joe Hall gave him a flying tackle and, rolling him over, examined him curiously. “What’s the idea?” squeaked “Rusty” from beneath the heap. “Just looking for yer wings,” grunted the ex-Bad Man.

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

February 25, 1918 Toronto Star

The first man that touched the puck after the faceoff was crashed into the fence with a healthy body check by Rusty Crawford, and the next place the brunette with the blonde nickname found himself was in the “clink” with a “major” opposite his name on Dick Kearns’ penalty sheet. And by the same token this same boy Crawford seemed to be the man Coach Carroll had selected to be “Bad Man” for the night. He wound up with five penalties—the last one sent him to the barn—but though he checked hard and sometimes not at all according to Hoyle, he did no damage to his opponents. Crawford drew his penalties for chopping and slashing. He hadn’t been on the ice for five playing moments before he had the Ottawa forwards watching him instead of the puck. Once Crawford collected their “nannies” it was all off. The rest of the Toronto bunch settled away, and after handing out some pile-driving body checks on their own account, played hockey. Goals came easily. A Toronto crowd never saw Crawford play such strenuous hockey in all the years he has played here. Usually the old boy rolls along chasing that old puck netwars with an earnestness that is commendable. But Saturday night—oh! my! It was a different story. All he wanted was for some Ottawa man to just dare to try and carry the puck. He just sailed into every man who held the puck with a body slam that shook ‘em from cellar to garret… Crawford didn’t have it all to himself by any means. He met Shore and Merrill a couple of times and they put him shoulder high, and so did Cy Denneny, but Crawford only chewed another wrinkle out of his Spearmint and came right back for more. Mr. Crawford is a very useful man to have around—as a “goal-getter” he has the late “Jawn L” backed into the Sunday school superintendents’ class. The fans say so. That’s a whole lot about “Rusty”—let’s get back to the game.

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Ottawa Citizen, January 22, 1946

(Eddie) Shore once said that by using proper conditioning measures a star player should linger until he was fifty years of age, but he was destined to discover that only a roustabout like “Rusty” Crawford could perform a stunt like that. Crawford, incidentally, was still playing hockey when he was fifty-four years of age.

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Montreal Gazette, Jan 20, 1951

Wonder how many old-timers in Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, and Quebec City remember Rusty Crawford? (Joe) Malone recalls “Rusty”, now a Western Canada wheat farmer, as one of the fastest and most tireless skaters hockey ever developed. Both Joe and Newsy (Lalonde) pick him with Jack Laviolette for skating honors.

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

When researching Joe Malone, I read through game summaries of the 1916-17 Quebec Bulldogs. The Bulldogs had a terrible first half of the season, finishing 2-8, and poor play from their defence was the number one reason. In the second half of the season, captain Rusty Crawford moved back to the left defence position and the left defender took Crawford's spot on the line. Crawford's physical play and hard skating on defence was a key part of the Bulldogs going 8-2 in the second half.

 

[Dreakmur]

Jason Spezza !!!


Awards and Achievements:
World Championship Gold Medal (2015)

IIHF Best Forward (2015)

Hart voting - 6th(2012)

Offensive Accomplishments:
Points - 4th(2012), 6th(2008), 13th(2006), 15th(2007)
Goals - 10th(2016), 15th(2012), 16th(2008)
Assists - 2nd(2006), 7th(2008), 9th(2012), 15th(2015), 17th(2014)

PPG - 4th(2006), 5th(2007), 5th(2012), 6th(2008)

Play-off Points - 1st(2007)
Play-off Goals - 6th(2007)
Play-off Assists - 1st(2007)

Play-off PPG - 3rd(2006), 3rd(2007), 4th(2016)

IIHF Points - 1st(2015), 5th(2009)
IIHF Goals - 1st(2009), 4th2015), 8th(2011)
IIHF Assists - 4th(2015)


5-Year Peak: 2006-2010
12th in Points, 78% of 2nd place Joe Thornton
9th in Assists, 77% of 2nd place Henrik Sedin


Scoring Percentages:
Points - 87(2008), 87(2012), 85(2006), 76(2007), 76(2014), 72(2015), 71(2016), 66(2009), 63(2004), 58(2011), 56(2017), 52(2010)
Best 6 Seasons - 483

Spezza owns world class offensive ability. He is an extremely talented and creative playmaker, with the size and hands to control the puck for long stretches. Has learned to use his fine shot more, and developed a good two-way game.

Has a wealth of playmaking talent. Uses his size and reach very well in the offensive zone. Can also shoot the puck with precision. His defensive game has improved, but it is still lacking for the NHL. Can play both center and wing. His skating ability, play without the puck and physical toughness are all average, at best. Can be guilty of over-handling the puck at times. Turns the puck over a lot. His production is in sharp decline.

 

[Dreakmur]

Vladimir Tarasenko !!!


Awards and Achievements:
Stanley Cup Champion (2019)

2 x Second Team All-Star (2015, 2016)

All-Star voting - 2nd(2015), 2nd(2016), 3rd(2017)

Offensive Accomplishments:
Points - 10th(2015), 10th(2017), 12th(2016)
Goals - 4th(2016), 4th(2017), 5th(2015)

ES Goals - 2nd(2017), 3rd(2015), 3rd(2016), 9th(2018)

Play-off Points - 8th(2019)
Play-off Goals - 3rd(2019), 5th(2016)

Play-off PPG - 4th(2015)
Play-off GPG - 1st(2015), 2nd(2014), 5th(2016)


5-Year Peak: 2015 tp 2019
17th in Points, 80% of 2nd place Patrick Kane
3rd in Goals, 99% of 2nd place John Tavares
2nd in ES Goals, 96% of 1st place Alex Ovechkin

3rd in Play-off Goals
1st in ES Play-off Goals


Scoring Percentages:
Points - 85(2015), 84(2017), 83(2016), 65(2018), 59(2019), 49(2014)
Best 6 Seasons - 425


Even Strength Points - 93(2015), 82(2016), 80(2017), 76(2018), 58(2019), 56(2014)
Best 6 Seasons - 445

An all-around player with good technique and a good eye for the game. A good passer. Useful as both a playmaker and finisher.

Has tremendous puck-handling and one-on-one skills. Is strong on his skates, so he is good at puck protection and also battling along the boards. Oozes scoring ability due to a great shot and awesome sense of anticipation. Still needs to hone his two-way game for the NHL level, since he is not as good without the puck as he is with it. Also, since opposing teams tend to target him, he needs to prove he can play with greater consistency.

 

[TheDevilMadeMe]

Alec Connell, G

• Stanley Cup winner in 1927, 1935
• Retroactive Conn Smythe awarded for 1927 by the SIHR/HHOF study group
• #1 all-time in regular season GAA (obviously partly a product of his era)
• 3rd in voting on the unofficial 1927-28 GM-voted All-Star team
• 3rd in All-Star voting in 1934-35
• One of the 1st three goaltenders who did not die young to be inducted into the HHOF. Inducted into the HHOF in 1958, along with Hugh Lehman and Paddy Moran. Georges Vezina and Charlie Gardiner were inducted in 1945.

Quotes via Dreakmur:

Connell proved to be a quick study and joined the Kingston Frontenac Juniors of the Ontario Hockey Association in 1917 before moving to the Ottawa City League in 1919. It was there that he played alongside future Hall of Famer King Clancy while with Ottawa St. Brigid's in 1920-21. Noted for wearing a small black cap when he played, Connell turned pro with the Ottawa Senators for 1924-25 and backstopped Ottawa to the Stanley Cup in 1926-27. The following season saw him establish the National Hockey League record for longest shutout sequence of 461:29 by recording six consecutive shutouts, from January 31 to February 18, 1928. His record stands to this day and may never be broken.

Connell initially retired from hockey in 1933 but returned for one game during the 1933-34 season as a substitute goaltender for the New York Americans after an injury to Roy Worters forced "Shrimp" out of the game. Connell followed up by returning to the game full-time and won his second Stanley Cup as a member of the Montreal Maroons in 1935. Maroons manager and coach, Tommy Gorman, called Connell's performance in the 1935 playoffs the "greatest goalkeeping performance in the history of hockey." He then provided some specifics: "It was in the Stanley Cup playoffs when the Maroons were two men short. For three minutes, Connell put on an astounding effort against the Leafs, and the Maroons went on to win the Cup." The Maroons, who were underdogs in the best-of-five series, won in three straight games. Connell again announced his retirement and did not play in the 1935-36 season but returned to active duty with the English Montrealers for 27 games the following year before retiring for good.

Alec gave one of the greatest goalkeeping performances in the playoffs that year that I ever saw. It was his finest moment.

To me, Alec was a grand competitor, a great fellow and a great friend-one of the outstanding goalies of his time.

Alec was a great credit to hockey and one of its best goalies.

Alec was a fine sportsman and a fine gentleman. He was pretty hard to beat in any category.

Alec Connell, goal, has had fewer goals scored on him than any other net guardian so far this season and has made the most sensational debut of any goalie since John Ross Roach broke in with Toronto. Had seven shut-out games last year, four so far this season.

In the whirl of summer sport doings, an important piece of news was given very scant attention the other day - the fact that the Ottawa hockey club has signed goaler Alec Connell for a five-year term. This was announced by Pres. Frank Ahearn of the Ottawa club at the Capital the other day, and a sport scribe remarked to the Ottawa leader that if he got Connell for less than $5,000 per year, as hockey prices go today he got a bargain. "I got him for a great deal less than that," said President Ahearn. So he has a real bargain. Connell is possibly the greatest net-minder in the game today. That honor, curiously enough, rests pretty much between two Ottawa boys.

....
...Connell and Benedict. It was a coincidence that both these figured in the final play-offs for the eastern title, and speaks significantly of the importance of the goaler to present-day hockey machines which, for the most part, are formulated and molded with a view to keeping scores down rather than scoring goals.

...
Team after team was turned back scoreless before his keen eye, and alert hands and feet. Of course, he had in front of him a team which, defensively, out-classed any other in the League, with the amazing poke-check of Nighbor that breaks up countless attacks the fast-skating wings and the cleverness of Boucher and Clancy. But even when, in the closing match of the great play-off series with Montreal Maroons, this mighty machine cracked wide-open under relentless pressure, the slim figure of Connell stood, a mighty barrier, that held the crashing, driving Montrealers to one lone score. ...Connell, the imperturable, with his immobile face, his eagle eye, his lightning hands.​

​

...has justified his unofficial title of "shut out" king of the National Hockey League by holding the opposing sharpshooters scoreless in six consecutive games. For six full playing periods of 60 minutes and three overtime sessions of 10 minutes each, Connell has guarded the Ottawa cage and thwarted the efforts of the league's best marksmen. ... Since the season opened the Senators have won six games by shutouts and have played in six scoreless ties.

Ever since midway through the second period they (Bruins) had assumed the offensive, with Falcons apparently content to play for a tie, a scoreless one if possible. And Connell, in the Detroit goal, seemed to be of the same opinion as he turned back shot after shot, sometimes with his stick, sometimes with his hands, sometimes with his chest and sometimes with his feet. The Bruins attacked from all sides and tried everything, often comign in alone on the athlete who last year had guarded the citadel of the Ottawa club, now defunct. ... Numberous opportunites were missed by both sides, although the Bruins, playing wide-open hockey in this season's opener, were surging in on Connell, who had 46 stops to only 22 for Tiny Thompson...

One bad night in Chicago when Connell was injured and Hawks scored six goals agaisnt him put a bad crimp in Alex's chances to take the [Vezina]. (Note: lost Vezina by four goals against)

(Referring to Connell's supposed last game of his career where he was shelled early and replaced). After seven years of ace-high performance, the crowd turned on Connell - he was a broken-hearted man.

....

From the very first game (1934 with Montreal), Connell started stopping pucks in an inspired manner that culminated in a sensational display in the playoffs of that year. Maroons won the Stanley Cup and Tommy Gorman termed Connell, the "greatest of them all".

....

The following year Gorman sought to get Connell back as Maroons goalkeeper and offered him a $9,000 contract. [paraphrase] But Connell rejected due to his obligations to the fire department.

....

Year after year he turned in steady and, at times, brilliant performances for the Senator club. In 1927, when Senators won the Stanley Cup in a bruising series with Boston, Connell starred as, time after time, he turned back Bruin scoring threats.​

​

In hockey, Connell first gained prominence when he joined the Cliffside hockey team in 1919 and promptly helped this Ottawa club to win the Allan Cup.

 

[TheDevilMadeMe]

Dave Burrows, D

He was one of the survivors of a dying breed- the defensive defenseman- and his perfection made him one of the most popular players in Penguins

NHL Awards recognition:

• Hart: 10th in 1976
• Norris: 8th in 1974, 8th in 1985, 7th in 1976
• All Star Games: 1974, 1976, 1980

And remember, Burrows did this as a defensive defenseman playing for a recent expansion team, the kind of player who usually doesn't get any recognition.

Team Awards:

• Penguins Rookie of the Year: 1972
• Penguins MVP: 1974, 1975(tie)
• Penguins Booster Club Award (most times voted star of the game): 1976
• Inducted into the Penguins Hall of Fame in 1996 (the 4th player and 1st defenseman inducte

Coach's polls:

Burrows finished top 5 in the "defensive defenseman" category in every healthy year of his career for which we have a poll (he was injured in 1979):

1974 coach's poll: Best Defensive Defenseman
Bill White (Borje Salming, Jacques Laperriere, Rod Seiling, Dave Burrows)
​

- note that Brad Park, Serge Savard and Bobby Orr were all healthy and in their primes in 73-74.

1976 coach's poll: Best Defensive Defenseman
Larry Robinson (Bill White, Denis Potvin, Dave Burrows, Terry Harper)
​

- note that Serge Savard and Borje Salming were both healthy and in their primes in 75-76 (Park was banged up and Orr was hurting badly).

1980 coach's poll: Best Defensive Defenseman
1 Larry Robinson 2 Serge Savard 3 Dave Burrows​

- there were a lot of excellent defensive defensemen not on the above list who had healthy prime years in 79-80 (the poll was taken before the 80-81 season), including Denis Potvin and Borje Salming.

(commentary copied from Sturminator)

The lone defensive star on an otherwise awful team

Burrows: Lifting Pens Defense

It isn't easy being a defensive star for the Pittsburgh Penguins. It's lonely. Doesn't even earn a line in the agate summary. Dave Burrows walks down the street, says "Hi, I play defense for the Penguins," and who's going to believe him? So don't take his word for it. Just consider the facts: Burrows joined goal-scoring stars Jean Pronovost and Pierre Larouche in Philadelphia last month for his second National Hockey League All-Star game appearance, an accomplishment that isn't surprising until someone brings up Pittsburgh's humdrum defensive reputation.

A well-deserved reputation at that. The Penguins are surpassed in defensive ineptitude only by the Washington Capitals, Kansas City Scouts and New York Rangers. Burrows manages to rise above the record, a glittering example of a defenseman's defenseman.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Skillset: elite skating, hockey IQ, and shot blocking

Burrows wasn't a physically dominating, crease clearing blueliner. Instead he relied on a greater understanding of the game to be in perfect position no matter what scenario he was faced with. He was an expert shot blocker and above all else, was known as one of the best skaters of his time. He amazed many observers with his incredible speed and agility. Some felt he could skate faster backward than most could go forward.

"I took a lot of pride in being able to move laterally and backwards with great ease. It took a lot of practice, but it was something I enjoyed doing," he said.

"In fact, I used to get a big kick out of skating backwards on two-on-one breaks or one-on-one breaks against me when I was back on defense. It was a challenge trying to break up situations like that. I enjoyed that part of the game the most."

Pittsburgh Penguins Legends: Dave Burrows

His desire and dedication to his skating skills paid huge dividends as he progressed though the ranks making it to the NHL with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1971 at twenty-two years of age. It was the same year the Penguins acquired his idol, Tim Horton. Having watched Horton at Maple Leaf Gardens for so many years and having never met him, Burrows as a rookie in the NHL, found himself sitting in the dressing room next to his defense partner, Tim Horton. It was a dream come true for the young Burrows. He took every opportunity to learn from his coach, Red Kelly and mentor, Tim Horton. Even though Burrows scored only 2 goals with 10 assists in his first year as a Penguin he was named the Team's Rookie of the Year. The Penguins were more than pleased with the always-wanting-to-learn attitude and desire of young and talented Burrows. "The most satisfaction I can get in a hockey game is breaking up plays before the opposing forwards can get a good shot on goal. I get a kick breaking up 3 on 1 or 2 on 1 situations," Burrows was quoted on saying.

Burrows quickly established himself as one on the NHL's best defensemen. He could skate faster backwards than most of the players could move forward and as such could stifle any one-on-one threats with exceptional efficiency.

The Pittsburgh Press remarked, "You could always tell when Burrows was hurt for that's the time when he hopped up the quickest and got right back into the play. Burrows pain threshold must be higher than his front porch. It takes a lot to get him excited, usually a couple of shots to the head." He once played for six weeks with a broken foot.

He was not a man to show emotion. He was quiet and efficient going about his business like a polite bulldozer. His style of play did not attract attention, it deserved respect. He was a fan favourite in Pittsburgh.

In 1976 he was invited as part of an elite group of NHL stars to play for Canada in the Canada Cup. He made the team as a defensive replacement for Bobby Orr. Bobby was a standout earning MVP honours. Even though Burrows didn't play he still considers it an honour to have been Bobby's defensive replacement.

In 1978 Burrows was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs where he continued to play his very solid defensive game for the next two-and-a-half years.

...

In 1981, at 32 years of age after having endured broken bones and many bruises resulting from his aggressive style of defensive play, he decided to retire from professional hockey on his terms. A decision he has never regretted. In 1996, the Pittsburgh Penguins paid tribute to Burrows and inducted him into the Pittsburgh Penguins Hall of Fame.

Dave Burrows is a humble caring individual who enjoyed a remarkable professional hockey league career and richly deserves the honour of being inducted into the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame.

(Quoted by jarek's profile, original link now broken)

From someone who saw him play

I also saw him play (though I was no Penguins fan) and remember his defensive reputation and his remarkable skating. Burrows was one of the best skaters in the league throughout his career, and was very, very good at keeping up with speedy forwards and breaking up odd-man rushes, which he saw a lot of because those Penguins teams he played on were terrible, especially defensively, where Burrows was the shining light on what was otherwise an awful defensive team.

He was one of the top 3-4 defensive defensemen of the 70's, and one of the decade's best skaters. He played on a terrible team that rode the hell out of him and got a lot of goals scored on it, but was recognized as a great defensive defenseman in spite of that, and managed to keep an otherwise ugly penalty kill average by playing more than half of the minutes.

There's really nothing seperating Burrows from a bunch of defensive defensemen drafted before him. He's not going to provide you any offense and he wasn't a big hitter, but Burrows is defensively elite for a second pairing defenseman and is a tremendous positional player and skater.

Penalty kill

Burrows averaged 53% of his team's PK ice time over the course of his career in Pittsburgh and Toronto (teams 5% below average)

In Pittsburgh, he broke 60% of his team's PK ice time 4 times - in 1974, 1975, 1976, and 1978.

Overall, in his 7 years in Pittsburgh (1972-1978), the team was only 6 goals below league average on the PK, despite being generally dreadful at even strength.

Underrated due to his style of play in the era he played

Most people will agree that Bobby Orr is the best defenseman ever. But how about the best pure defensive defenseman? While there are a lot of candidates, one of them would have to be the heavily underrated and under appreciated Dave Burrows.

While Orr lit up the scoreboard during the 1970s, Burrows was busy preventing goals with the Pittsburgh Penguins and later the Toronto Maple Leafs.
...
Unfortunately for Burrows and defensive minded rearguards like him during the 1970s, he received virtually no recognition. Bobby Orr revolutionized the way defensemen played the game. No longer were they on the ice to stop goals, but instead to create offense.

"I guess you would have to say it was tough getting any recognition with a guy like Bobby around" said Burrows. "But that really didn't bother me because I really didn't like getting a lot of attention. I just enjoyed my game."

Pittsburgh Penguins Legends: Dave Burrows

More articles (from jarek's profile):

He was one of the survivors of a dying breed- the defensive defenseman - and his perfection made him one of the most popular players in Penguins history.

Among the handful of superior defensive specialists in the league, Burrows lends a touch of class to the Pittsburgh blueline. He kills penalties with aplomb, is capable of playing the left or right side and is smart enough that, even with a less than ideal shot, he can man the point position on the powerplay.

...Dave Burrows, whose performances are always so effortless, so consistently excellent that platitudes elude him far more often than goal-bound pucks.

Perhaps Burrows' lone handicap is the same consistency that makes him one of pro hockey's top defensemen. If there were a few off nights, then his magnificence could be more easily measured, more readily appreciated.

Take last night for example. Burrows scored his second goal in two nights, had an assist on Syl Apps' game-winner late in the second period and blocked three possible Los Angeles goals in the Penguins' 6-4 triumph.

Since it was obvious at the time that several jobs depended on the Penguins winning a couple of games, Dave Burrows was a tired man during December and January.

...

His shifts were longer, he killed most penalties, he played regularly on the powerplay for the first time in his career, and he was on the ice during all critical situations. In a close game, he would play nearly 40 minutes.

Coach Marc Boileau has said that as long as Burrows is fresh, he will be on the ice.

"He is the best defenseman in hockey," Boileau said, "so why shouldn't he be on the ice?"

That statement is easy to make so long as the cast remains on Bobby Orr's leg, but becoming the Penguins' designated "Superdefenseman" is alright with Burrows.

"I enjoy playing a lot," he said. "I think every player enjoys as much ice time as he can get."

Boileau said he might even use Burrows on the point during the power play.

"He's cool out there," Boileau said, "and he anticipates well. The most important thing a point man can do on the power play is keep the puck in the attacking zone, and Burrows does that well."

Burrows said he enjoys playing 30 minutes a game, but admitted 40 minutes, like he played two seasons ago, might be too many, especially when the schedule gets crowded with games.

A defenseman like Burrows is the rugged, reliable bland part of the Penguins, the "jeep" of the team. His specialty is far less glamorous than scoring goals; no one counts how many shots he blocks.

...

Burrows blocks shots with enough confidence that he will probably be voted to the mid-season all-star team.

...

The only thing that might keep Burrows off the team is the Penguins' overall defensive record. Some voters might doubt there are any good defensemen on a team that steadily gives up five goals a game for three weeks.

It was only a couple of seasons back defenseman Dave Burrows blocked a shot with his ankle and sustained a fracture. Although he could barely walk, Burrows played every shift and the club passed it off as a slight sprain.

Usage for my team:

His defensive IQ and skating makes him the perfect partner for Frank Patrick, allowing Patrick to roam around the ice looking to create offense and make big hits.

His penalty killing acumen enables me to take Brad Park off the 1st PK and give Park more ES and PP ice time.