Jerry Toppazzini
Encyclopedia
Jerome J. "Topper" Toppazzini (born July 29, 1931 in Copper Cliff, Ontario
) is a retired Canadian ice hockey
forward
who played twelve seasons in the National Hockey League
, most notably for the Boston Bruins
.
, most notably with the Barrie Flyers
. In his final season with Barrie - 1951-52 - he led the team with 40 goals and 90 points in 54 games, going on to add 34 points in 23 playoff games to spearhead the Flyers to its first Memorial Cup
championship.
Signing with the Boston Bruins, he spent the following season with their American Hockey League
farm team, the Hershey Bears
, playing with his younger brother Teddy and helping the Bears to a division title with 20 goals and 45 points in 54 games.
In the subsequent 1953 season, Toppazzini made his NHL
debut with the Bruins, scoring 23 points in 69 games. The following season, splitting time between Hershey and the major league club, he was traded to the Chicago Black Hawks
for center Gus Bodnar
, and was subsequently dealt to the Detroit Red Wings
in an eight-man multiplayer deal - at the time, the largest transaction in league history. He was traded back to the Bruins in 1956 for center Murray Costello
and left wing Lorne Ferguson
. Toppazzini made an immediate impact, as the Bruins - in last place at the time - made a run for the playoffs, missing at the end by a single win.
Wearing #21, Toppazzini remained with Boston for the next nine seasons, blossoming into a skilled two-way player while playing on a line with smooth center Don McKenney
and hard charging left wing Fleming Mackell
; the trio was Boston's best line as they surged to the Stanley Cup
finals in 1957, knocking off the heavily favored former Cup champion Detroit Red Wings en route. His best seasons statistically were 1958, when he scored a career high 25 goals in the regular season and added nine goals in the Stanley Cup
playoffs (with a hat trick against the New York Rangers
and three game winning goals) in leading the Bruins to the Cup finals, as Boston would mount a serious challenge to the dynastic Montreal Canadiens
for NHL supremacy and 1962, when he scored 19 goals en route to a career high 50 points. Always a fan favorite, he won the Elizabeth C Dufresne Trophy twice in a row, in 1956-57 and 1957–58, as the best performing and most popular Boston Bruin at home games. He was noted in his time with the Bruins for his "crazy chatter" in the locker room. According to teammate Bronco Horvath
:
Boston traded the fading Toppazzini in the 1964 offseason, and he played the remaining four seasons of his professional career in the minor leagues, spending the 1965 season with the Pittsburgh Hornets of the AHL. His rights were then acquired by the Los Angeles Blades
of the Western Hockey League
in the 1965 Reverse Draft; he initially held out before joining the Blades for the 1966 and 1967 seasons. He finished his playing career in 1968 as the player-coach of the Port Huron Flags
of the International Hockey League.
, Toppazzini substituted for Boston goaltender Don Simmons
, who was injured with thirty seconds left in a match against the Chicago Black Hawks. At the time, teams were not required to carry a backup goaltender on the bench, although they were required to have one available in the arena. Reportedly, Toppazzini did not want to wait for the Black Hawks' house goaltender to suit up. He faced no shots in his brief stint. By the 1965 playoffs
, the NHL ruled that all teams must have a spare goaltender on the bench and ready to play. Toppazzini thus became (as of November, 2009) the final position player to substitute in goal during a NHL match.
of the OHA between 1975 and 1977, and met with much better success, leading the team to a first and second place finish and winning the OHA's Coach of the Year award in 1976.
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
) is a retired Canadian 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...
forward
Forward (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, a forward is a player position on the ice whose primary responsibility is to score goals. Generally, the forwards try to stay in three different lanes, also known as thirds, of the ice going from goal to goal. It is not mandatory however, to stay in a lane. Staying in a lane aids in...
who played twelve 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...
, most notably for 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...
.
Playing career
Toppazzini played his junior league hockey in the Ontario Hockey AssociationOntario Hockey Association
The Ontario Hockey Association is the governing body for the majority of Junior and Senior level ice hockey teams in the Province of Ontario. The OHA is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Federation along with the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. Other Ontario sanctioning bodies along with the...
, most notably 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...
. In his final season with Barrie - 1951-52 - he led the team with 40 goals and 90 points in 54 games, going on to add 34 points in 23 playoff games to spearhead the Flyers to its first Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
championship.
Signing with the Boston Bruins, he spent the following season with their American Hockey League
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...
farm team, the Hershey Bears
Hershey Bears
The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of...
, playing with his younger brother Teddy and helping the Bears to a division title with 20 goals and 45 points in 54 games.
In the subsequent 1953 season, Toppazzini made his 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...
debut with the Bruins, scoring 23 points in 69 games. The following season, splitting time between Hershey and the major league club, he was traded to the Chicago Black Hawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
for center Gus Bodnar
Gus Bodnar
August Bodnar was a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 12 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Black Hawks and Boston Bruins.-Playing career:...
, and was subsequently dealt to the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
in an eight-man multiplayer deal - at the time, the largest transaction in league history. He was traded back to the Bruins in 1956 for center Murray Costello
Murray Costello
Murray Costello was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2005 as a builder. He was president of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association then Hockey Canada...
and left wing Lorne Ferguson
Lorne Ferguson
Lorne Ferguson was professional ice hockey left winger who played 422 games in the National Hockey League. Born in Palmerston, Ontario, he played for the Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, and Chicago Black Hawks....
. Toppazzini made an immediate impact, as the Bruins - in last place at the time - made a run for the playoffs, missing at the end by a single win.
Wearing #21, Toppazzini remained with Boston for the next nine seasons, blossoming into a skilled two-way player while playing on a line with smooth center Don McKenney
Don McKenney
Donald Hamilton McKenney is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward...
and hard charging left wing Fleming Mackell
Fleming Mackell
Fleming David Mackell is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward.-Playing career:After a stage with St-Michaels, the Toronto Maple Leafs OHA affiliate, Mackell began his National Hockey League career with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1948. The majority of his career was spent with the Boston Bruins...
; the trio was Boston's best line as they surged to 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...
finals in 1957, knocking off the heavily favored former Cup champion Detroit Red Wings en route. His best seasons statistically were 1958, when he scored a career high 25 goals in the regular season and added nine goals in 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...
playoffs (with a hat trick against 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...
and three game winning goals) in leading the Bruins to the Cup finals, as Boston would mount a serious challenge to the dynastic 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 ...
for NHL supremacy and 1962, when he scored 19 goals en route to a career high 50 points. Always a fan favorite, he won the Elizabeth C Dufresne Trophy twice in a row, in 1956-57 and 1957–58, as the best performing and most popular Boston Bruin at home games. He was noted in his time with the Bruins for his "crazy chatter" in the locker room. According to teammate Bronco Horvath
Bronco Horvath
Joseph Rudolph "Bronco" Horvath is a retired former professional ice hockey player who played 434 games in the NHL between 1955 and 1968....
:
"Topper was always giving everybody the business, keeping up a competitive atmosphere. Drove me nuts."
Boston traded the fading Toppazzini in the 1964 offseason, and he played the remaining four seasons of his professional career in the minor leagues, spending the 1965 season with the Pittsburgh Hornets of the AHL. His rights were then acquired by the Los Angeles Blades
Los Angeles Blades
The Los Angeles Blades were a professional inline hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. The Blades played in Roller Hockey International from 1993-1997 and played their home games at the Great Western Forum....
of the Western Hockey League
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
in the 1965 Reverse Draft; he initially held out before joining the Blades for the 1966 and 1967 seasons. He finished his playing career in 1968 as the player-coach of the Port Huron Flags
Port Huron Flags
The Port Huron Flags were a minor league professional ice hockey team located in Port Huron, Michigan. The Flags competed in the International Hockey League between the 1962 and 1981 seasons. For three of those season from 1971 to 1974, Port Huron was a farm team of the Detroit Red Wings, and were...
of the International Hockey League.
Goaltending stint
On October 16, 19601960-61 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:...
, Toppazzini substituted for Boston goaltender Don Simmons
Don Simmons (ice hockey)
Donald William "Dippy" Simmons was a National Hockey League goaltender. He was called up by the Boston Bruins fom the Springfield Indians of the AHL in order to replace an ailing Terry Sawchuck who had left the Bruins in mid season of 1957...
, who was injured with thirty seconds left in a match against the Chicago Black Hawks. At the time, teams were not required to carry a backup goaltender on the bench, although they were required to have one available in the arena. Reportedly, Toppazzini did not want to wait for the Black Hawks' house goaltender to suit up. He faced no shots in his brief stint. By the 1965 playoffs
1964-65 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:...
, the NHL ruled that all teams must have a spare goaltender on the bench and ready to play. Toppazzini thus became (as of November, 2009) the final position player to substitute in goal during a NHL match.
Coaching career
After his retirement as a player, Toppazzini was named coach of the Springfield Kings of the American Hockey League in 1972, but was let go after two seasons in which the Kings finished in last place both years. He went on to coach the Sudbury WolvesSudbury Wolves
The Sudbury Wolves are the name of the ice hockey team from Sudbury, Ontario. Sudbury has had a hockey team known as the "Wolves" nearly every year since World War I. The Sudbury Wolves, the senior men's AAA team, have twice been chosen to be Canada's representatives at the Ice Hockey World...
of the OHA between 1975 and 1977, and met with much better success, leading the team to a first and second place finish and winning the OHA's Coach of the Year award in 1976.
Retirement
After his retirement from coaching, Toppazzini settled in Sudbury, Ontario, where he opened a men's clothing store. He remains active in local charitable affairs.Facts and achievements
- Set the then-NHL record for shorthanded goals in a season in 1958 with seven. It remained a Bruins' team record until 2002, when broken by Brian RolstonBrian RolstonBrian Lee Rolston is a professional ice hockey player and an alternate captain for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League. He has won a Stanley Cup Championship with the New Jersey Devils in 1995, and the World Cup of Hockey in 1996 playing for Team USA...
. - Was named to play in the National Hockey League All-Star GameNational Hockey League All-Star GameThe 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...
in 1955, 1958 and 1959. Also named to play in a benefit All-Star Game between the NHL All-Stars and the Buffalo BisonsBuffalo BisonsThe Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets...
in February, 1959. - Led the NHL in games played with 70 in 1959 and 1962.
- Toppazzini's older brother ZellioZellio ToppazziniZellio Louis Peter Toppazzini was a professional ice hockey player who played 123 games in the National Hockey League. He played with the New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, and Chicago Black Hawks...
, a long time star for the minor league Providence RedsProvidence RedsThe 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...
also spent time in the NHL and played for the Bruins between the 1949 and 1951 seasons. His grandnephew Justin WilliamsJustin WilliamsJustin Williams is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who currently plays for the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League...
currently plays for the Los Angeles KingsLos Angeles KingsThe Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
. - Received the Elizabeth C. Dufresne TrophyElizabeth C. Dufresne TrophyThe Elizabeth C. Dufresne Trophy is awarded by the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League every season to the "Boston Bruins player considered most outstanding in home games."...
, awarded to the most outstanding Bruins player during home games, in 19571956–57 Boston Bruins seasonThe 1956-1957 Boston Bruins were one of six teams in the 40th season of the National Hockey League. The team finished with a record of 34 wins, 24 losses, and 12 ties. Their record earned them the third seed in the Stanley Cup playoffs, where they lost to the Montreal Canadiens in the final...
and 19581957–58 Boston Bruins seasonThe 1957–58 Boston Bruins season saw the Bruins finish in fourth place in the National Hockey League with a record of 27 wins, 28 losses, and 15 ties for 69 points...
. - As of November, 2009, is 18th all-time for the Boston BruinsBoston BruinsThe 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...
franchise in games played, 26th in goals scored, and 29th in points.
Transactions
- February 16, 1954: Traded to Chicago Black Hawks for Gus BodnarGus BodnarAugust Bodnar was a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 12 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Black Hawks and Boston Bruins.-Playing career:...
. - May 27, 1955: Traded to Detroit Red WingsDetroit Red WingsThe Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
with Dave CreightonDave CreightonDavid Theodore Creighton is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward. Creighton started his National Hockey League career with the Boston Bruins in 1948. He would also play with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Black Hawks, and New York Rangers. He left the NHL after the 1960 season...
, Gord Hollingworth and John McCormackJohn McCormack (ice hockey)John Ronald McCormack is a retired Canadian ice hockey centre. He was born in Edmonton, Alberta.McCormack began his National Hockey League career with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1947. He would also play for the Montreal Canadiens and Chicago Black Hawks. He would retire from the NHL after the...
for Tony LeswickTony LeswickAnthony Joseph Leswick was a former ice hockey forward who played mostly for the New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings of the NHL. Nicknamed "Tough Tony" and "Mighty Mouse", he was known also as a little pest. Little, because he stood just 5'7" tall and weighed 160lbs...
, Glen SkovGlen SkovGlen Frederick Skov was a centre in the NHL who played for the Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Black Hawks and Montreal Canadiens and is the younger brother of former referee Art Skov. He won 3 Stanley Cups with Detroit in 1952, 1954, 1955.-References:...
, Johnny WilsonJohnny WilsonJohnny Wilson may refer to:* Johnny Wilson , American boxer* Jumping Johnny Wilson , American basketball & baseball player* Johnny Wilson , Canadian player-See also:*Jack Wilson...
and Benny WoitBenny WoitBenedict Francis Woit was a National Hockey League defenceman of the 1950s.-Playing career:Woit made his presence known as a junior while playing for the Port Arthur Flyers and Bruins of the TBJHL and the St. Mike's Majors of the OHA. He began playing for the Indianapolis Capitals of the AHL for...
. - January 17, 1956: Traded to Boston BruinsBoston BruinsThe 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...
with Real ChevrefilsReal ChevrefilsRéal Chevrefils is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward.Chevrefils was a member of the 1951 Memorial Cup champion Barrie Flyers. His stats for the OHA regular season in 1950-51 were 54 games played, 52 goals, 51 assists, for 103 total points...
for Murray CostelloMurray CostelloMurray Costello was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2005 as a builder. He was president of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association then Hockey Canada...
and Lorne FergusonLorne FergusonLorne Ferguson was professional ice hockey left winger who played 422 games in the National Hockey League. Born in Palmerston, Ontario, he played for the Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, and Chicago Black Hawks....
. - June 9, 1964: Traded to Chicago Black Hawks with Matt RavlichMatt RavlichMatthew Joseph Ravlich is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman.Ravlich started his National Hockey League career with the Boston Bruins. He would also play with the Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Black Hawks, and Los Angeles Kings. His career would last from 1963 to 1973.-External links:*...
for Murray BalfourMurray BalfourMurray Lewis Balfour was a National Hockey League right winger in the late 1950s and early 1960s.-Career:Balfour was a member of the renowned "Million Dollar Line" alongside Bobby Hull and Bill Hay of the Chicago Black Hawks. In game three of the first round of the 1960–61 playoffs he scored the...
and Mike DraperMike DraperMichael Anthony Draper is a former Major League Baseball player. Draper pitched for the New York Mets in the 1993 season. Draper had one win and one loss, with a ERA of 4.25, in 29 games....
. - October 10, 1964: Traded to Pittsburgh Hornets for Hank CieslaHank CieslaHenry Edward "Hank" Ciesla is a retired professional ice hockey forward who played 269 games in the National Hockey League. He played for the Chicago Black Hawks and New York Rangers....
. - June 9, 1965: Claimed by Los Angeles BladesLos Angeles BladesThe Los Angeles Blades were a professional inline hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. The Blades played in Roller Hockey International from 1993-1997 and played their home games at the Great Western Forum....
in Reverse Draft.