Been fascinated with Ed Litzenberger for some time, and his story is an interesting one. He was a big star with the Regina Pats, scoring 111 goals and picking up 194 points in 121 regular season games across three seasons. The Pats went to – but lost in – the Memorial Cup twice with Litzenberger.
Ed was the property of the Montreal Canadiens, playing two games with them in 1952-53, and three games in1953-54. Most of his time was spent with their farm team, the Montreal Royals. In 1954-55, he became a full-time NHLer. He played 29 games with the Habs, then was traded to the Chicago Black Hawks. With them, he had 16 goals and 24 assists in 44 games. In 73 games – in 1954-55 – he had 23 goals, 28 assists and 51 points. That production earned him the Calder Trophy. For whatever reason, he had only 10 goals and 29 assists in 70 games in 1955-56.
For next three seasons, Litzenberger provided an indication of the kind of career he might have enjoyed had fate been kinder to him. In 1956-57, he led the last place Hawks in goals (32), assists (32) and points (64). Johnny Wilson was second on the team in points with 48. At a time when a 20-goal season was considered an accomplishment, hitting the 30-goal mark was a big deal. Only Gordie Howe (44), Jean Beliveau (33) and Maurice Richard (33) had more goals. In 1957-58, Ed again scored 32 goals, and had 30 assists, for 62 points. Hawks' rookie Bobby Hull was second with 47 points. Litzenberger was tied with Camille Henry in goals scored, behind only Dickie Moore (36) and Gordie Howe (33). Litzenberger had the best season in his career in 1958-59. He had 33 goals, 44 assists and 77 points in 70 games. Tod Sloan - in his first season in Chicago - was second on the team with 62 points. Ed was tied with Andy Hebenton in goals scored, behind Beliveau (45), Moore (41) and Andy Bathgate (40).
Ed was just 27 when the 1959-60 season began, and had every reason to believe that he had quite a few more productive seasons ahead of him. Better yet, his Hawks were improving. With Rudy Pilous behind the bench, and Litzenberger wearing the C, Chicago finished in 3rd place in 1958-59. With the veteran leadership of Ted Lindsay and Tod Sloan, star-to-be Bobby Hull, and goaltender Glenn Hall, the Hawks were a promising team.
By the time the Hawks played their 45th game of the 1959-60 season on January 17 – defeating the visiting Rangers 3-1 – Litzenberger's offensive production (9 goals and 17assists) was way off. His struggles reflected – and contributed to– Chicago's struggles. After 45 games they had 15 wins, 22 losses and 8 ties.
The next day – January 18 – Ed was involved in a car accident which killed his wife (who had been driving) and didn't do him any good. Today, his injuries – cracked ribs, contusions of his liver and a concussion – would cost him the rest of the season. In 1959-60, those injuries cost him 16 games. He was back for the Hawks' last nine regular season games, contributing three goals and one assist. Chicago had 13 wins, 7 losses and 5 ties during their final 25 games – earning themselves 3rd place for a second time. Montreal swept them in the first round.
Beginning in 1960-61, Litzenberger enjoyed team success while never again putting up personal numbers like he had before 1959-60. In the Spring of 1961 his Hawks hoisted the Stanley Cup. His reward after that season was a trade to Detroit. During the 1961-62 season – after 32 regular season games – the Wings waived him, and Punch Imlach brought him to Toronto. As a Leaf, Ed would hoist the Cup in 1961-62, 1962-63 and 1963-64. In Rochester – in the AHL – he would hoist the Calder Cup with the Americans in 1964-65 and 1965-66. Running out of fingers for championship rings, Litzenberger then retired.
Ed was the property of the Montreal Canadiens, playing two games with them in 1952-53, and three games in1953-54. Most of his time was spent with their farm team, the Montreal Royals. In 1954-55, he became a full-time NHLer. He played 29 games with the Habs, then was traded to the Chicago Black Hawks. With them, he had 16 goals and 24 assists in 44 games. In 73 games – in 1954-55 – he had 23 goals, 28 assists and 51 points. That production earned him the Calder Trophy. For whatever reason, he had only 10 goals and 29 assists in 70 games in 1955-56.
For next three seasons, Litzenberger provided an indication of the kind of career he might have enjoyed had fate been kinder to him. In 1956-57, he led the last place Hawks in goals (32), assists (32) and points (64). Johnny Wilson was second on the team in points with 48. At a time when a 20-goal season was considered an accomplishment, hitting the 30-goal mark was a big deal. Only Gordie Howe (44), Jean Beliveau (33) and Maurice Richard (33) had more goals. In 1957-58, Ed again scored 32 goals, and had 30 assists, for 62 points. Hawks' rookie Bobby Hull was second with 47 points. Litzenberger was tied with Camille Henry in goals scored, behind only Dickie Moore (36) and Gordie Howe (33). Litzenberger had the best season in his career in 1958-59. He had 33 goals, 44 assists and 77 points in 70 games. Tod Sloan - in his first season in Chicago - was second on the team with 62 points. Ed was tied with Andy Hebenton in goals scored, behind Beliveau (45), Moore (41) and Andy Bathgate (40).
Ed was just 27 when the 1959-60 season began, and had every reason to believe that he had quite a few more productive seasons ahead of him. Better yet, his Hawks were improving. With Rudy Pilous behind the bench, and Litzenberger wearing the C, Chicago finished in 3rd place in 1958-59. With the veteran leadership of Ted Lindsay and Tod Sloan, star-to-be Bobby Hull, and goaltender Glenn Hall, the Hawks were a promising team.
By the time the Hawks played their 45th game of the 1959-60 season on January 17 – defeating the visiting Rangers 3-1 – Litzenberger's offensive production (9 goals and 17assists) was way off. His struggles reflected – and contributed to– Chicago's struggles. After 45 games they had 15 wins, 22 losses and 8 ties.
The next day – January 18 – Ed was involved in a car accident which killed his wife (who had been driving) and didn't do him any good. Today, his injuries – cracked ribs, contusions of his liver and a concussion – would cost him the rest of the season. In 1959-60, those injuries cost him 16 games. He was back for the Hawks' last nine regular season games, contributing three goals and one assist. Chicago had 13 wins, 7 losses and 5 ties during their final 25 games – earning themselves 3rd place for a second time. Montreal swept them in the first round.
Beginning in 1960-61, Litzenberger enjoyed team success while never again putting up personal numbers like he had before 1959-60. In the Spring of 1961 his Hawks hoisted the Stanley Cup. His reward after that season was a trade to Detroit. During the 1961-62 season – after 32 regular season games – the Wings waived him, and Punch Imlach brought him to Toronto. As a Leaf, Ed would hoist the Cup in 1961-62, 1962-63 and 1963-64. In Rochester – in the AHL – he would hoist the Calder Cup with the Americans in 1964-65 and 1965-66. Running out of fingers for championship rings, Litzenberger then retired.
