Ed Westfall
Encyclopedia
Edwin Vernon "Shadow" Westfall (born September 19, 1940) is a retired Canadian professional
ice hockey
player who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League
with the Boston Bruins
and the New York Islanders
from 1961 until 1978–79. Notable as a defensive specialist often tasked with defending against the star scorers of enemy teams, Westfall played most of his career as a right wing, although he played stints on defense in his earlier years and at center in his later years. He is famously known for being the player to pass the puck to Bobby Orr before the give-and-go that led to Orr's legendary flying goal in the 1970 Stanley Cup Finals.
with the Barrie Flyers
& Niagara Falls Flyers
, and started his professional career with the Kingston Frontenacs (EPHL)
team. By 1961 he joined the Bruins, although he had stints the next two years with the Frontenacs and the AHL
's Providence Reds
. By 1966, he was firmly ensconced on Boston's checking line,
Westfall won the Stanley Cup
with the Boston Bruins
in 1970 and 1972. He earned an assist on Bobby Orr
's famous Stanley Cup
-winning goal in 1970 and also scored the second of the three fastest goals in NHL
history, when the Bruins scored three goals in 20 seconds in a 1971 game with the Vancouver Canucks
. During those seasons he made his reputation as a preeminent penalty killer (generally paired with center Derek Sanderson
or winger Don Marcotte
), enough so that he was named to play in the All-Star Game in 1971, 1973, 1974 and 1975.
Westfall was chosen by the brand new New York Islanders
in the 1972 NHL Expansion Draft
. He was subsequently made the first captain of the team, a position he held until 1977. Westfall scored the first goal in franchise history, in their first game, against the Atlanta Flames
, on October 7, 1972. His best season statistically was the 1975, when Westfall led the Islanders into their first playoffs and all the way into the Stanley Cup
semifinals, exploding in the playoffs with five goals and ten assists to cap a 22-goal, 55-point regular season.
He remained an effective scorer through the 1977 season, in which he was awarded the Bill Masterton Trophy for perseverance and dedication, after which he relinquished the team captaincy to Clark Gillies
. His scoring declined sharply in his final two seasons, during which he spent his time on checking lines and penalty killing.
games, scoring 231 goals and 394 assists for 625 points.
After the end of his playing days, Westfall became the Islanders color analyst
for what was then known as SportsChannel. He was often dubbed "18" by his confidant and broadcasting partner "Jiggs" McDonald
because during his playing career he wore that number. He was also known by that nickname by his former Islander teammates. Westfall continued in that position until he retired in 1998. His spot in the broadcast booth was taken by former NHL player Joe Micheletti. He made occasional appearances on Islander broadcasts for several seasons after that.
He is currently working for The Corporate Relocator moving firm as a Relationship Coordinator.
On November 19, 2011, Westfall was inducted into the New York Islanders Hall of Fame. The Islanders held "Ed Westfall Night" in his honer. He and his former partner in the booth "Jiggs" McDonald called the second period in the game that night between two of his former teams, the New York Islanders and the Boston Bruins.
Professional
A professional is a person who is paid to undertake a specialised set of tasks and to complete them for a fee. The traditional professions were doctors, lawyers, clergymen, and commissioned military officers. Today, the term is applied to estate agents, surveyors , environmental scientists,...
ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
with the Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
and the New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
from 1961 until 1978–79. Notable as a defensive specialist often tasked with defending against the star scorers of enemy teams, Westfall played most of his career as a right wing, although he played stints on defense in his earlier years and at center in his later years. He is famously known for being the player to pass the puck to Bobby Orr before the give-and-go that led to Orr's legendary flying goal in the 1970 Stanley Cup Finals.
Playing career
He played his junior hockeyJunior ice hockey
Junior hockey is a catch-all term used to describe various levels of ice hockey competition for players generally between 16 and 20 years of age...
with the Barrie Flyers
Barrie Flyers
The Barrie Flyers were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association from 1945 to 1960, from Barrie, Ontario.-History:The Barrie Flyers junior team was founded in 1945 by Leighton "Hap" Emms. The franchise was soon affiliated with the Boston Bruins of the NHL. Barrie quickly became a...
& Niagara Falls Flyers
Niagara Falls Flyers
----The Niagara Falls Flyers were two junior ice hockey franchises that played in the top tier in the Ontario Hockey Association. The first, a Junior "A" team existed from 1960 until 1972, and the second in Tier I Junior "A" from 1976 until 1982....
, and started his professional career with the Kingston Frontenacs (EPHL)
Kingston Frontenacs (EPHL)
The Kingston Frontenacs of the Eastern Professional Hockey League were a minor league professional ice hockey team affiliated with the NHL's Boston Bruins....
team. By 1961 he joined the Bruins, although he had stints the next two years with the Frontenacs and the AHL
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
's Providence Reds
Providence Reds
The Providence Reds were a hockey team that played in the Canadian-American Hockey League between 1926–1936 and the American Hockey League from 1936 to 1977, the last season of which they played as the Rhode Island Reds. The team won the Calder Cup in 1938, 1940, 1949, and 1956...
. By 1966, he was firmly ensconced on Boston's checking line,
Westfall won the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
with the Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
in 1970 and 1972. He earned an assist on Bobby Orr
Bobby Orr
Robert Gordon "Bobby" Orr, OC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Orr played in the National Hockey League for his entire career, the first ten seasons with the Boston Bruins, joining the Chicago Black Hawks for two more. Orr is widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest...
's famous Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
-winning goal in 1970 and also scored the second of the three fastest goals in NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
history, when the Bruins scored three goals in 20 seconds in a 1971 game with the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
. During those seasons he made his reputation as a preeminent penalty killer (generally paired with center Derek Sanderson
Derek Sanderson
Derek Michael Sanderson, nicknamed "Turk", , is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre who is now a bank executive and restaurateur....
or winger Don Marcotte
Don Marcotte
Donald Michel Marcotte is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who served his entire National Hockey League career for the Boston Bruins and was noted as a premier defensive forward, while being versatile enough to play any forward position.After playing his junior league hockey for...
), enough so that he was named to play in the All-Star Game in 1971, 1973, 1974 and 1975.
Westfall was chosen by the brand new New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in the 1972 NHL Expansion Draft
1972 NHL Expansion Draft
The 1972 NHL Expansion Draft was held on June 6, 1972. The draft took place to fill the rosters of the league's two then-new expansion teams for the 1972–73 season, the New York Islanders and the Atlanta Flames.-Draft results:-See also:...
. He was subsequently made the first captain of the team, a position he held until 1977. Westfall scored the first goal in franchise history, in their first game, against the Atlanta Flames
Atlanta Flames
The Atlanta Flames were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA from 1972 to 1980. The team, a member of the National Hockey League , was relocated to Calgary, Alberta, Canada for the start of the 1980–81 NHL season and were re-named the Calgary Flames. The NHL returned to the...
, on October 7, 1972. His best season statistically was the 1975, when Westfall led the Islanders into their first playoffs and all the way into the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
semifinals, exploding in the playoffs with five goals and ten assists to cap a 22-goal, 55-point regular season.
He remained an effective scorer through the 1977 season, in which he was awarded the Bill Masterton Trophy for perseverance and dedication, after which he relinquished the team captaincy to Clark Gillies
Clark Gillies
Clark "Jethro" Gillies is a retired professional ice hockey player. He is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. He provided both physical presence and offensive punch for the NHL's New York Islanders during their four-year run as Stanley Cup champions. In a career that spanned 958 games, Gillies...
. His scoring declined sharply in his final two seasons, during which he spent his time on checking lines and penalty killing.
Retirement
Westfall retired having played 1226 career NHLNational Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
games, scoring 231 goals and 394 assists for 625 points.
After the end of his playing days, Westfall became the Islanders color analyst
Color commentator
A color commentator is a sports commentator who assists the play-by-play announcer, often by filling in any time when play is not in progress. The color analyst and main commentator will often exchange comments freely throughout the broadcast, when the play-by-play announcer is not describing the...
for what was then known as SportsChannel. He was often dubbed "18" by his confidant and broadcasting partner "Jiggs" McDonald
Jiggs McDonald
John Kenneth "Jiggs" McDonald is a sportscaster who did play-by-play announcing for NHL games for almost 40 years. In 1990, McDonald received the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award from the Hockey Hall of Fame....
because during his playing career he wore that number. He was also known by that nickname by his former Islander teammates. Westfall continued in that position until he retired in 1998. His spot in the broadcast booth was taken by former NHL player Joe Micheletti. He made occasional appearances on Islander broadcasts for several seasons after that.
He is currently working for The Corporate Relocator moving firm as a Relationship Coordinator.
On November 19, 2011, Westfall was inducted into the New York Islanders Hall of Fame. The Islanders held "Ed Westfall Night" in his honer. He and his former partner in the booth "Jiggs" McDonald called the second period in the game that night between two of his former teams, the New York Islanders and the Boston Bruins.
Career statistics
--- Regular Season --- ---- Playoffs ----
Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1957-58 Barrie Flyers OHA 51 3 10 13 0
1959-60 Barrie Flyers OHA 48 7 28 35 0
1959-60 Kingston Frontenacs EPHL 1 0 0 0 2 -- -- -- -- --
1960-61 Niagara Falls Flyers OHA 48 9 45 54 0
1960-61 Kingston Frontenacs EPHL 2 0 0 0 0 -- -- -- -- --
1961-62 Boston Bruins NHL 63 2 9 11 53 -- -- -- -- --
1962-63 Kingston Frontenacs EPHL 21 5 16 21 14 -- -- -- -- --
1962-63 Boston Bruins NHL 48 1 11 12 34 -- -- -- -- --
1963-64 Providence Reds AHL 13 1 3 4 8 3 0 0 0 4
1963-64 Boston Bruins NHL 55 1 5 6 35 -- -- -- -- --
1964-65 Boston Bruins NHL 68 12 15 27 65 -- -- -- -- --
1965-66 Boston Bruins NHL 59 9 21 30 42 -- -- -- -- --
1966-67 Boston Bruins NHL 70 12 24 36 26 -- -- -- -- --
1967-68 Boston Bruins NHL 73 14 22 36 38 4 2 0 2 2
1968-69 Boston Bruins NHL 70 18 24 42 22 10 3 7 10 11
1969-70 Boston Bruins NHL 72 14 22 36 28 14 3 5 8 4
1970-71 Boston Bruins NHL 78 25 34 59 48 7 1 2 3 2
1971-72 Boston Bruins NHL 77 18 26 44 19 15 4 3 7 10
1972-73 New York Islanders NHL 67 15 31 46 25 -- -- -- -- --
1973-74 New York Islanders NHL 68 19 23 42 28 -- -- -- -- --
1974-75 New York Islanders NHL 73 22 33 55 28 17 5 10 15 12
1975-76 New York Islanders NHL 80 25 31 56 27 8 2 3 5 0
1976-77 New York Islanders NHL 79 14 33 47 8 12 1 5 6 0
1977-78 New York Islanders NHL 71 5 19 24 14 2 0 0 0 0
1978-79 New York Islanders NHL 55 5 11 16 4 6 1 2 3 0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NHL Totals 1226 231 394 625 544 95 22 37 59 41