Gump Worsley
Encyclopedia
Lorne John "Gump" Worsley (May 14, 1929 – January 26, 2007) was a professional ice hockey
goaltender
. Born and raised in Montreal
, Quebec
, he was given his nickname due to friends deciding he looked like comic-strip character Andy Gump
.
, the St. Paul Saints
of the USHL
and the Saskatoon Quakers of the WHL
. He achieved success with all three teams, garnering First Team All-Star and leading goaltender recognition for three straight seasons between 1950 and 1952.
In the fall of 1952 he was signed by the New York Rangers
of the NHL
, and though playing for a last place team, won the Calder Memorial Trophy
as rookie of the year. However, after asking for a $500 a year increase in pay, he was promptly returned to the minor leagues for the following season. Playing for the Vancouver Canucks
of the WHL, he won the league most valuable player award in 1954.
He resumed position as starting goaltender
for the Rangers in 1954, beating out future NHL star Johnny Bower
. Wearing the traditional number 1 for goaltenders, he toiled for the oft-hapless Rangers for the next nine seasons, generally playing well for poor teams.
In the summer of 1963, he became involved in a proposed players' union, and was promptly traded to the Montreal Canadiens
. While he was relegated to the minor-league Quebec Aces
for parts of two seasons — and characteristically winning First Team All-Star honors in the AHL
in 1964 — Worsley played his best years for the Habs as a member of four Stanley Cup
-winning teams in 1965, 1966, 1968 and 1969. His best season was 1968, where he followed up a Vezina-winning performance and a career-low 1.98 goals against average by going undefeated in the playoffs with eleven straight wins. He quit in the midst of the 1969–70 season in a dispute with Sam Pollock, Montreal
general manager, over refusal to be demoted to the minors and coach Claude Ruel's consistent playing of Rogatien Vachon. He was suspended for not reporting to the Canadiens' Montreal Voyageurs farm team. Phil Myre was called up to replace him.
Worsley was lured out of retirement by the Minnesota North Stars
, and playing in tandem with Cesare Maniago
, starred for parts of five more years, retiring at the age of 44 after the 1973–74 season. His best season with the North Stars was 1972, where he was second in the league in goals against average with 2.12 and was named to play in the National Hockey League All-Star Game
. Worsley was the first goaltender to have won 300 games and lost 300 games. This feat was later accomplished by Curtis Joseph
.
Worsley was known for his wry sense of humour and various eccentricities. Early in his career with the Rangers, when he was regularly facing 40–50 shots a night, he was asked "Which team gives you the most trouble?" His reply - "The New York Rangers." Accused by Rangers' coach Phil Watson
of having a beer belly, he replied, "Just goes to show you what he knows. I only drink Johnnie Walker Red."
Worsley was also an outstanding soccer player, who began his senior career with McMasterville in the Montreal League. In the summer of 1952, while playing hockey for the Saskatoon Quakers, he played for the Saskatoon all-stars against the touring Tottenham Hotspur from England at centre forward. One year later he captained Montreal Hakoah at centre half in the Canadian Challenge Trophy final, and continued his soccer career with Montreal Vickers in 1954.
He was also vehemently opposed to wearing a mask. Worsley was the second-to-last professional hockey goaltender to play without a mask - Andy Brown
of the Indianapolis Racers
being the final one the following season - wearing one only in the last six games of his career. Asked about why he chose to go without, he told reporters, "My face is my mask."
Worsley was also well known for his fear of flying
. He suffered a nervous breakdown
in the 1968–69 season after a rough flight from Montreal's Dorval Airport to Chicago on November 25 en route to Los Angeles, and received psychiatric treatment and missed action as a result. It is said that when he came out of retirement to play for the North Stars he was assured that, as Minnesota was in the central part of the continent, the team traveled less than any other in the league.
hit him from
behind which nearly ended his career, a knee problem in the 1956 playoffs that required surgery, a severed tendon in 1960, a shot from Bobby Hull
in 1961 that hit him in the forehead, a pulled hamstring the same year, a pulled hamstring in 1963–64, knee surgery in 1966 followed by a sprained knee and then a concussion from a hard-boiled egg thrown by a New York fan, a broken
finger in the 1969 playoffs, and a pulled hamstring in 1972–73 that reduced his effectiveness to the point where he temporarily retired from hockey. The blast to the forehead from Bobby Hull landed him, unconscious, in Montreal's Royal Victoria Hospital. Upon awakening, he was asked how he was feeling and replied, "Good thing the puck hit me flat!"
and Glenn Hall
. He retired with a record of 335 wins, 352 losses and 150 ties, with 43 shutouts, and a goals against average of 2.91.
Worsley suffered a heart attack
on January 22, 2007, and died at his home in Beloeil, Quebec
on January 26, 2007.
bands, Huevos Rancheros
("Gump Worsley's Lament") and The Weakerthans
("Elegy for Gump Worsley"), have recorded tribute songs to Worsley. Canadian band Sons of Freedom
also named their second album Gump after Worsley.
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...
goaltender
Goaltender
In ice hockey, the goaltender is the player who defends his team's goal net by stopping shots of the puck from entering his team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring...
. Born and raised in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, he was given his nickname due to friends deciding he looked like comic-strip character Andy Gump
The Gumps
The Gumps, a popular comic strip about a middle-class family, was created by Sidney Smith in 1917, launching a 42-year run in newspapers from February 12, 1917 until October 17, 1959....
.
Career
At the beginning of his career, Worsley played four years in the minor leagues, most notably for the New York Rovers of the EHLEastern Hockey League
-Eastern Amateur Hockey League :The league was founded in 1933 as the Eastern Amateur Hockey League . The league was founded by Thomas Lockhart, who served as its commissioner from 1933 to 1972...
, the St. Paul Saints
St. Paul Saints
The St. Paul Saints are a professional baseball team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in the United States. The Saints are a member of the North Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
of the USHL
United States Hockey League
The United States Hockey League is the top junior ice hockey league in the United States. The USHL has 16 member teams located in the Midwestern United States, consisting of players who are 20 years of age and younger...
and the Saskatoon Quakers of the WHL
Western Hockey League (minor pro)
The Western Hockey League was a minor pro ice hockey league that operated from 1952 to 1974. Managed for most of its history by Hockey Hall of Fame member Al Leader, it was created out of the merger of the Pacific Coast Hockey League and the Western Canada Senior Hockey League...
. He achieved success with all three teams, garnering First Team All-Star and leading goaltender recognition for three straight seasons between 1950 and 1952.
In the fall of 1952 he was signed by the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
of the 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...
, and though playing for a last place team, won the Calder Memorial Trophy
Calder Memorial Trophy
The Calder Memorial Trophy is an annual award given "to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League." The Rookie of the Year trophy has been awarded 79 times since its creation for the 1936–37 NHL season...
as rookie of the year. However, after asking for a $500 a year increase in pay, he was promptly returned to the minor leagues for the following season. Playing for 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,...
of the WHL, he won the league most valuable player award in 1954.
He resumed position as starting goaltender
Goaltender
In ice hockey, the goaltender is the player who defends his team's goal net by stopping shots of the puck from entering his team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring...
for the Rangers in 1954, beating out future NHL star Johnny Bower
Johnny Bower
John William Bower , nicknamed "The China Wall", is a Hockey Hall of Fame goalie.-Playing career:...
. Wearing the traditional number 1 for goaltenders, he toiled for the oft-hapless Rangers for the next nine seasons, generally playing well for poor teams.
In the summer of 1963, he became involved in a proposed players' union, and was promptly traded to the Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
. While he was relegated to the minor-league Quebec Aces
Quebec Aces
The Quebec Aces, also known in French as Les As de Québec, were an amateur and later a professional men's ice hockey team from Quebec City, Quebec. The Aces were founded in 1928, and played until 1971. The team played home games at the Quebec Coliseum from 1930 to 1971.The Aces were Allan Cup...
for parts of two seasons — and characteristically winning First Team All-Star honors in 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...
in 1964 — Worsley played his best years for the Habs as a member of four 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 teams in 1965, 1966, 1968 and 1969. His best season was 1968, where he followed up a Vezina-winning performance and a career-low 1.98 goals against average by going undefeated in the playoffs with eleven straight wins. He quit in the midst of the 1969–70 season in a dispute with Sam Pollock, Montreal
general manager, over refusal to be demoted to the minors and coach Claude Ruel's consistent playing of Rogatien Vachon. He was suspended for not reporting to the Canadiens' Montreal Voyageurs farm team. Phil Myre was called up to replace him.
Worsley was lured out of retirement by the Minnesota North Stars
Minnesota North Stars
The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white...
, and playing in tandem with Cesare Maniago
Cesare Maniago
Cesare "Hail Cesare" Maniago is a retired National Hockey League goaltender, most notably for the Minnesota North Stars, for whom he remains the 2nd all-time leader in games played in goal.- Playing history :...
, starred for parts of five more years, retiring at the age of 44 after the 1973–74 season. His best season with the North Stars was 1972, where he was second in the league in goals against average with 2.12 and was named to play in the National Hockey League All-Star Game
National Hockey League All-Star Game
The National Hockey League All-Star Game is an exhibition ice hockey game that is traditionally held at the midway point of the regular season of the National Hockey League , with many of the league's star players playing against each other...
. Worsley was the first goaltender to have won 300 games and lost 300 games. This feat was later accomplished by Curtis Joseph
Curtis Joseph
Curtis Shayne Joseph is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. He last played for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League....
.
Worsley was known for his wry sense of humour and various eccentricities. Early in his career with the Rangers, when he was regularly facing 40–50 shots a night, he was asked "Which team gives you the most trouble?" His reply - "The New York Rangers." Accused by Rangers' coach Phil Watson
Phil Watson
Henri Phillip Watson was a professional ice hockey player and coach in the NHL.-Coaching career:Soon after retiring as a player Phil Watson became a coach...
of having a beer belly, he replied, "Just goes to show you what he knows. I only drink Johnnie Walker Red."
Worsley was also an outstanding soccer player, who began his senior career with McMasterville in the Montreal League. In the summer of 1952, while playing hockey for the Saskatoon Quakers, he played for the Saskatoon all-stars against the touring Tottenham Hotspur from England at centre forward. One year later he captained Montreal Hakoah at centre half in the Canadian Challenge Trophy final, and continued his soccer career with Montreal Vickers in 1954.
He was also vehemently opposed to wearing a mask. Worsley was the second-to-last professional hockey goaltender to play without a mask - Andy Brown
Andy Brown (ice hockey)
Andrew Conrad Brown is a retired Canadian ice hockey goaltender. His father, Adam also played hockey in the National Hockey League as a left winger....
of the Indianapolis Racers
Indianapolis Racers
The Indianapolis Racers were a franchise in the former World Hockey Association from 1974 to 1978. They competed in five seasons, folding 25 games into the 1978–79 season. They played at Market Square Arena...
being the final one the following season - wearing one only in the last six games of his career. Asked about why he chose to go without, he told reporters, "My face is my mask."
Worsley was also well known for his fear of flying
Fear of flying
A fear of flying is a fear of being on an airplane , or other flying vehicle, such as a helicopter, while in flight. It is also sometimes referred to as aerophobia, aviatophobia, aviophobia or pteromerhanophobia....
. He suffered a nervous breakdown
Nervous breakdown
Mental breakdown is a non-medical term used to describe an acute, time-limited phase of a specific disorder that presents primarily with features of depression or anxiety.-Definition:...
in the 1968–69 season after a rough flight from Montreal's Dorval Airport to Chicago on November 25 en route to Los Angeles, and received psychiatric treatment and missed action as a result. It is said that when he came out of retirement to play for the North Stars he was assured that, as Minnesota was in the central part of the continent, the team traveled less than any other in the league.
Injuries
He suffered many injuries during his career, including a back injury with Vancouver of the WHL when Gus KyleGus Kyle
Walter Lawrence "Gus" Kyle was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played 203 games in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins....
hit him from
behind which nearly ended his career, a knee problem in the 1956 playoffs that required surgery, a severed tendon in 1960, a shot from Bobby Hull
Bobby Hull
Robert Marvin "Bobby" Hull, OC is a former Canadian ice hockey player. He is regarded as one of the greatest ice hockey players of all time and perhaps the greatest left winger to ever play the game. Hull was famous for his blonde hair, blinding skating speed, and having the hardest shot, earning...
in 1961 that hit him in the forehead, a pulled hamstring the same year, a pulled hamstring in 1963–64, knee surgery in 1966 followed by a sprained knee and then a concussion from a hard-boiled egg thrown by a New York fan, a broken
finger in the 1969 playoffs, and a pulled hamstring in 1972–73 that reduced his effectiveness to the point where he temporarily retired from hockey. The blast to the forehead from Bobby Hull landed him, unconscious, in Montreal's Royal Victoria Hospital. Upon awakening, he was asked how he was feeling and replied, "Good thing the puck hit me flat!"
Retirement and death
At the time of his retirement, Worsley had played more games than any goalie except for Terry SawchukTerry Sawchuk
Terrance Gordon Sawchuk was a Ukrainian-Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played 21 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers.-Early life and playing career:Sawchuk was born and raised...
and Glenn Hall
Glenn Hall
Glenn Henry "Mr. Goalie" Hall is a former professional ice hockey goaltender. During his National Hockey League career with the Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Black Hawks, and St. Louis Blues, Hall seldom missed a game and was a consistent performer, winning the Vezina Trophy three times, and the...
. He retired with a record of 335 wins, 352 losses and 150 ties, with 43 shutouts, and a goals against average of 2.91.
Worsley suffered a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
on January 22, 2007, and died at his home in Beloeil, Quebec
Beloeil, Quebec
Belœil is a city in southwestern Quebec, Canada on the Richelieu River, east of Montreal. The population as of the Canada 2006 Census was 18,927. It is part of the Regional County Municipality of La Vallée-du-Richelieu, within the Administrative Region of Montérégie. It occupies the west shore...
on January 26, 2007.
Legacy
Two Canadian indie rockIndie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
bands, Huevos Rancheros
Huevos Rancheros
Huevos Rancheros are a Canadian indie rock band formed in 1990 from Calgary, Alberta, Canada.-History:Huevos Rancheros perform an instrumental blend of rockabilly, surf, Grunge and punk music. The band currently consists of guitarist Brent Cooper, bassist Tommy Kennedy and drummer Richie Ranchero...
("Gump Worsley's Lament") and The Weakerthans
The Weakerthans
The Weakerthans are a four-piece Canadian indie rock band.-History:The band was formed in 1997 in Winnipeg, Manitoba by John K. Samson, after he left the punk band Propagandhi to start a publishing company. Samson joined forces with bassist John P...
("Elegy for Gump Worsley"), have recorded tribute songs to Worsley. Canadian band Sons of Freedom
Sons of Freedom (band)
Sons of Freedom were a Canadian alternative rock band of the late 1980s and early 1990s. The band, consisting of vocalist James Newton, guitarist Don Harrison, bassist Don Binns and drummer Don Short, formed in 1987 in Vancouver, British Columbia....
also named their second album Gump after Worsley.
Career achievements and facts
- Won the Calder Trophy in 19531952-53 NHL season-NHL awards:-All-Star teams:-Scoring leaders:Note: GP = Games played, G = Goals, A = Assists, PTS = Points, PIM = Penalties in minutes-Leading goaltenders:...
. - Stanley CupStanley CupThe 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...
champion in 19651965 Stanley Cup Finals-References:* Podnieks, Andrew; Hockey Hall of Fame . Lord Stanley's Cup. Bolton, Ont.: Fenn Pub. pp 12, 50. ISBN 978-1-55168-261-7...
, 19661966 Stanley Cup FinalsThe 1966 Stanley Cup Final was contested by the Detroit Red Wings and the defending champion Montreal Canadiens. The Canadiens would win the best-of-seven series four games to two to win the Stanley Cup for the seventh time in eleven years.-Paths to the final:...
, 19681968 Stanley Cup Finals-References:...
, and 19691969 Stanley Cup FinalsThe 1969 Stanley Cup Final was a best-of-seven series played from April 27 to May 4, 1969, between the defending champions Montreal Canadiens and the St. Louis Blues, the same finalists as in 1968. The Canadiens would win the series in four-straight games....
. - Won the Vezina TrophyVezina TrophyThe Vezina Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League's goaltender who is "adjudged to be the best at this position". At the end of each season, the 30 General Managers of the teams in the National Hockey League vote to determine the goaltender who was the most valuable to his team...
in 1966 and 1968. - Named to the NHL First All-Star Team in 1968.
- Named to the NHL Second All-Star Team in 1966.
- Played in the NHL All-Star Game in 196115th National Hockey League All-Star GameThe 15th National Hockey League All-Star Game took place at Chicago Stadium on October 7, 1961. The NHL All-Stars defeated the hometown Chicago Black Hawks 3–1.- Red Wing Line Leads Stars to Victory :...
, 196216th National Hockey League All-Star GameThe 16th National Hockey League All-Star Game took place at Maple Leaf Gardens on October 6, 1962. The hometown Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the NHL all-stars 4–1.-"Entertainer" Wins First All-Star Game MVP Award:...
, 1965, and 1972. - Curtis JosephCurtis JosephCurtis Shayne Joseph is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. He last played for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League....
tied his record for the most career losses in the NHL with 352. - Currently 7th in all time games played, 15th in career wins and 24th in shutouts.
- Inducted into the Hockey Hall of FameHockey Hall of FameThe Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dedicated to the history of ice hockey, it is both a museum and a hall of fame. It holds exhibits about players, teams, National Hockey League records, memorabilia and NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup...
in 1980 . - One of the last two goaltenders (the other being Andy BrownAndy Brown (ice hockey)Andrew Conrad Brown is a retired Canadian ice hockey goaltender. His father, Adam also played hockey in the National Hockey League as a left winger....
) to play in the NHL without a face mask, doing so until his final season. - Was affectionately known to Minnesota North StarsMinnesota North StarsThe Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white...
fans as "the Gumper". - This is where the popular term "Stacking the Gumpers" originated. Stacking the Gumpers is how a goaltender makes a save by lying on his side and making a "wall" out of his leg pads or "Gumpers."
- Ranked No. 17 on the all-time list of New York Rangers in the book 100 Ranger Greats (John Wiley & SonsJohn Wiley & SonsJohn Wiley & Sons, Inc., also referred to as Wiley, is a global publishing company that specializes in academic publishing and markets its products to professionals and consumers, students and instructors in higher education, and researchers and practitioners in scientific, technical, medical, and...
, 2009).
Regular season
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | W | L | T | MIN | GA | SO | GAA Goals against average Goals Against Average is a statistic used in ice hockey, water polo, lacrosse, and soccer that is the mean of goals allowed per game by a goaltender.... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1946–47 | Verdun Cyclones | QJHL | 25 | 6 | 18 | 1 | 1500 | 138 | 3 | 5.52 |
| 1947–48 | Verdun Cyclones | QJHL | 29 | 13 | 11 | 5 | 1740 | 95 | 1 | 3.28 |
| 1948–49 | Montreal St. Francis Xavier | MMJHL | 47 | 24 | 21 | 2 | 2840 | 122 | 7 | 2.58 |
| 1948–49 | New York Rovers | QSHL | 2 | — | — | — | 120 | 5 | 0 | 2.50 |
| 1949–50 | New York Rovers | EAHL | 47 | 25 | 17 | 5 | 2830 | 133 | 7 | 2.86 |
| 1949–50 1949–50 AHL season The 1949–50 AHL season was the 14th season of the American Hockey League. Ten teams played 70 games each in the schedule. The Cleveland Barons won their seventh F. G. "Teddy" Oke Trophy as West Division champions... |
New Haven Ramblers | 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... |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 120 | 4 | 0 | 2.00 |
| 1950–51 | St. Paul Saints St. Paul Saints The St. Paul Saints are a professional baseball team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in the United States. The Saints are a member of the North Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball... |
USHL | 64 | 33 | 26 | 5 | 3920 | 184 | 3 | 2.82 |
| 1951–52 | Saskatoon Quakers Saskatoon Quakers The Saskatoon Quakers were an ice hockey team that was based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. The team existed from 1945 until 1959, and again from 1965-1971, playing in various senior and minor-professional leagues during that time. The Quakers represented Canada in 1934 World Ice Hockey... |
PCHL | 66 | 33 | 19 | 14 | 3960 | 206 | 5 | 3.07 |
| 1952–53 | Saskatoon Quakers | WHL Western Hockey League (minor pro) The Western Hockey League was a minor pro ice hockey league that operated from 1952 to 1974. Managed for most of its history by Hockey Hall of Fame member Al Leader, it was created out of the merger of the Pacific Coast Hockey League and the Western Canada Senior Hockey League... |
13 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 780 | 50 | 0 | 3.84 |
| 1952–53 | Edmonton Flyers Edmonton Flyers The Edmonton Flyers are a defunct ice hockey team that was based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The team existed from 1940 until 1963, playing in various senior and minor professional leagues during that time... |
WHL | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 2 | 0 | 2.00 |
| 1952–53 | New York Rangers New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the... |
NHL | 50 | 13 | 29 | 8 | 3000 | 153 | 2 | 3.06 |
| 1953–54 | Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks (WHL) The Vancouver Canucks were a minor league professional ice hockey team in the Pacific Coast Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. Inaugurated in 1945 with the PCHL, they became a WHL team with the merger of the PCHL with the Western Canada Senior Hockey League in 1952... |
WHL | 70 | 39 | 24 | 7 | 4200 | 168 | 4 | 2.40 |
| 1954–55 | New York Rangers | NHL | 65 | 15 | 33 | 17 | 3900 | 197 | 4 | 3.03 |
| 1955-56 | New York Rangers | NHL | 70 | 32 | 28 | 10 | 4200 | 198 | 4 | 2.83 |
| 1956–57 | New York Rangers | NHL | 68 | 26 | 28 | 14 | 4080 | 216 | 3 | 3.18 |
| 1957–58 | New York Rangers | NHL | 37 | 21 | 10 | 6 | 2200 | 86 | 4 | 2.32 |
| 1957–58 1957–58 AHL season The 1957–58 AHL season was the 22nd season of the American Hockey League. Six teams each played 70 games in their schedules. The Hershey Bears finished first overall in the regular season, and won their second Calder Cup championship.-Final standings:... |
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... |
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... |
25 | 12 | 11 | 2 | 1528 | 83 | 0 | 3.26 |
| 1958–59 | New York Rangers | NHL | 67 | 26 | 30 | 11 | 4001 | 198 | 2 | 2.97 |
| 1959–60 | New York Rangers | NHL | 39 | 7 | 23 | 8 | 2301 | 135 | 0 | 3.52 |
| 1959–60 1959–60 AHL season The 1959–60 AHL season was the 24th season of the American Hockey League. Seven teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The Quebec Aces become the first Canadian-based team in the league... |
Springfield Indians Springfield Indians The Springfield Indians were a minor professional ice hockey franchise, originally based in West Springfield, Massachusetts and later Springfield, Massachusetts. The Indians were founding members of the American Hockey League. They were in existence for a total of 60 seasons from 1926 to 1994, with... |
AHL | 15 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 900 | 33 | 3 | 2.20 |
| 1960–61 | New York Rangers | NHL | 59 | 20 | 29 | 8 | 3473 | 190 | 1 | 3.28 |
| 1961–62 | New York Rangers | NHL | 60 | 22 | 27 | 9 | 3531 | 172 | 2 | 2.92 |
| 1962–63 | New York Rangers | NHL | 67 | 22 | 34 | 10 | 3980 | 217 | 2 | 3.27 |
| 1963–64 | Montreal Canadiens Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ... |
NHL | 8 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 444 | 22 | 1 | 2.97 |
| 1963–64 1963–64 AHL season The 1963–64 AHL season was the 28th season of the American Hockey League. Nine teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The Quebec Aces finished first overall in the regular season... |
Quebec Aces Quebec Aces The Quebec Aces, also known in French as Les As de Québec, were an amateur and later a professional men's ice hockey team from Quebec City, Quebec. The Aces were founded in 1928, and played until 1971. The team played home games at the Quebec Coliseum from 1930 to 1971.The Aces were Allan Cup... |
AHL | 47 | 30 | 16 | 1 | 2820 | 128 | 5 | 2.72 |
| 1964–65 1964–65 AHL season The 1964–65 AHL season was the 29th season of the American Hockey League. The league inaugurates the James H. Ellery Memorial Award for outstanding media coverage of the AHL.Nine teams played 72 games each in the schedule... |
Quebec Aces | AHL | 37 | 24 | 12 | 1 | 2247 | 101 | 2 | 2.70 |
| 1964–65 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 19 | 10 | 7 | 1 | 1020 | 50 | 1 | 2.94 |
| 1965–66 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 51 | 29 | 14 | 6 | 2899 | 114 | 2 | 2.36 |
| 1966–67 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 18 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 888 | 47 | 1 | 3.18 |
| 1967–68 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 40 | 19 | 9 | 8 | 2213 | 73 | 6 | 1.98 |
| 1968–69 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 30 | 19 | 5 | 4 | 1703 | 64 | 5 | 2.25 |
| 1969–70 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 5 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 360 | 14 | 0 | 2.33 |
| 1969–70 | Minnesota North Stars Minnesota North Stars The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white... |
NHL | 8 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 453 | 20 | 1 | 2.65 |
| 1970–71 | Minnesota North Stars | NHL | 24 | 4 | 10 | 8 | 1369 | 57 | 0 | 2.50 |
| 1971–72 | Minnesota North Stars | NHL | 34 | 16 | 10 | 7 | 1923 | 68 | 2 | 2.12 |
| 1972–73 | Minnesota North Stars | NHL | 12 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 624 | 30 | 0 | 2.88 |
| 1973–74 | Minnesota North Stars | NHL | 29 | 8 | 14 | 5 | 1601 | 86 | 0 | 3.22 |
| NHL totals | 861 | 335 | 352 | 150 | 50,183 | 2407 | 43 | 2.88 | ||
Playoffs
| Season | Team | League | GP | W | L | MIN | GA | SO | GAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1947-48 | Verdun Cyclones | QJHL | 5 | 1 | 4 | 317 | 21 | 0 | 3.97 |
| 1948-49 | Montreal St. Francis Xavier | MMJHL | 5 | 2 | 3 | 310 | 16 | 0 | 3.10 |
| 1949-50 | New York Rovers | EAHL | 12 | 8 | 2 | 720 | 27 | 1 | 2.25 |
| 1950-51 | St. Paul Saints | USHL | 4 | 1 | 3 | 257 | 9 | 0 | 2.19 |
| 1951-52 | Saskatoon Quakers | PCHL | 13 | 10 | 3 | 818 | 31 | 1 | 2.27 |
| 1953-54 | Vancouver Canucks | WHL | 12 | 7 | 4 | 709 | 29 | 0 | 2.45 |
| 1955-56 | New York Rangers | NHL | 3 | 0 | 3 | 190 | 14 | 0 | 4.67 |
| 1956-57 | New York Rangers | NHL | 5 | 1 | 4 | 316 | 21 | 0 | 3.99 |
| 1957-58 | New York Rangers | NHL | 6 | 2 | 4 | 365 | 28 | 0 | 4.60 |
| 1961-62 | New York Rangers | NHL | 6 | 2 | 4 | 384 | 21 | 0 | 3.28 |
| 1963-64 | Quebec Aces | AHL | 9 | 4 | 5 | 543 | 29 | 0 | 3.20 |
| 1964-65 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 8 | 5 | 3 | 501 | 14 | 2 | 1.68 |
| 1965-66 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 10 | 8 | 2 | 602 | 20 | 1 | 1.99 |
| 1966-67 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 2 | 0 | 1 | 80 | 2 | 0 | 1.50 |
| 1967-68 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 12 | 11 | 0 | 672 | 21 | 1 | 1.88 |
| 1968-69 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 7 | 5 | 1 | 370 | 14 | 0 | 2.27 |
| 1969-70 | Minnesota North Stars | NHL | 3 | 1 | 2 | 180 | 14 | 0 | 4.67 |
| 1970-71 | Minnesota North Stars | NHL | 4 | 3 | 1 | 240 | 13 | 0 | 3.25 |
| 1971-72 | Minnesota North Stars | NHL | 4 | 2 | 1 | 194 | 7 | 1 | 2.16 |
| NHL totals | 70 | 40 | 26 | 4084 | 189 | 5 | 2.78 | ||