TheDevilMadeMe
Registered User
Feel free to post any long biographies of drafted players here.
The main ATD threads get locked, so you can't edit bios after the fact.
The main ATD threads get locked, so you can't edit bios after the fact.
Joe Pelletier said:In his prime in the 1950s and 1960s he was routinely described by coaches as the smartest player, the finest passer, the best playmaker and the most unstoppable puck carrier in the game. Aldo Guidolin, an opponent of Howe back in the early days, understatedly remarked "Gordie plays a funny kind of game; he doesn't let anyone else touch the puck!"
Joe Pelletier said:The right winger was a giant in his time at 6'1" and 205 lbs. He had the build of a heavyweight boxing champion. And he knew how to fight.
Part of the legend of Gordie Howe is his unmatchable toughness. He had "windshield wiper elbows" and like to give "close shaves" to anyone who dared to challenge. Ask any hockey experts who they'd choose as the toughest NHLer ever, and most would put their money on Gordie Howe against anyone else.
legendsofhockey said:Apart from his forbidding temperament, Howe's athletic and savvy playing style also contributed to his longevity. He never wasted energy if he didn't need to, especially after he cut down on the number of fights he'd take part in early in his career. He was economical with his movements, anticipating when and where the play would intersect with his effortless progress around the ice. He often played 45 minutes of a game when the average total was 25. Observers noticed that when his exhausted line returned to the bench, Howe was the first to recover and raise his head, ready for another shift.
Very impressive list for sure, but it's the level that he dominated those scoring races that sets him apart:
1950-51: 23.26% scoring margin (86 to 66) Age: 22
1951-52: 19.75% scoring margin (86 to 69) Age: 23
1952-53: 23.26% scoring margin (95 to 71) Age: 24
1953-54: 17.28% scoring margin (81 to 67) Age: 25
1956-57: 4.49% scoring margin (89 to 85) Age: 28
1962-63: 5.81% scoring margin (86 to 81) Age: 34
That wasn't against weak competition either. That was against players who are all-time greats and likely to be in our final top 10 to top 50. That's a level of dominance only Gretzky can rival, and that margin only gets larger if you compare it you take out his linemates.
I think that Howe gets underrated by a lot of people, ironically due to his longevity. People seem to remember him as the guy that played for 26 years. What they forget is that he was just as dominant as Mario Lemieux, probably even more so.
I think I debunked the "Lemieux was a better scorer than Howe" myth in this post. I compare the relative offensive performance of Howe and Lemieux during their six Art Ross victories; even if we exclude Gretzky, Howe performs far better than Lemieux. To quote myself: "I think this should permanently end any doubts about whether Howe was really dominant in his prime. He didn't just outscore the rest of the league, he obliterated them. Howe finished an incredible 53% ahead of the next-best player (this is by a higher amount than Lemieux's margin of victory over Yzerman)". This doesn't even take into account Howe's clearly superior physical play and defensive play.
I showed in the link above that aside from Rocket Richard and two teammates, Howe doubled the offensive output of every other player in the league during his six best years. I don't have the exact number handy but there were over a dozen players who were that close (relatively speaking) to Lemieux's production. And, again, that analysis was only based on Lemieux's healthy seasons--just think about how one-sided it would be if I included all of Howe's healthy years.
Howe is still tied with Gretzky for one of the most important scoring records of all-time: most times leading the NHL playoffs in scoring (six). He did this even more than top rivals like Beliveau and Richard that played on even greater dynasties.
Let's also consider that Howe has as many Hart trophies as Lemieux and Orr combined. Obivously injuries has a lot to do with that, by why penalize Howe for being healthy?
Ultimately, I put Howe second, though I could understand an argument for first or third. But I think my research shows that Howe was not only healthier/more consistent than Lemieux, he was better even during their respective primes.
HHOF said:Richard was often at his best in the most important games. His six career overtime goals set an NHL record.
Remember, a rocket in 1943 was a new, terrifying, and effective weapon. So, too, was Maurice Richard on skates.
Joe Pelletier said:The stare was Rocket Richard's trademark. When he came at a goalie with his eyes lit up, the opposition was terrified.
Rocket Richard did everything by instinct and brute strength. He would run, not glide, down the ice and cut fearlessly to the slot. Some describe him as the greatest opportunist the game has ever known. He was probably the greatest goal scorer from the blue line in.
Richard's fierce temper and dedication were also hallmarks of his. Winning at all costs best sums up Richard's approach to hockey.
In a playoff game, the Bruins Leo Labine knocked Richard unconscious and doctors said he was done for the series. Richard refused to be hospitalized and returned to the game as the teams battled. Rocket Richard scored the game winning goal.
He was just a hockey player, but no one hockey player meant so much to so many people on such a personal level.
Ultimate Hockey said:''The Rocket'' was given on account of his mad, whirling-dervish rushes, his edge-of-your-seat charges into enemies territory. He was an excellent stickhandler and could often be seen carrying a player on his back on breakaways. His tricky dekes attracted a lot of holdings, tripping and slashing from checkers. He had an amazingly accurate shot and could score from just about any angles. From 10 feet inside the opposition blue-line, he was the most deadly assasin of all-time.
Peak Years 1947-51
In a Word ASSASIN
He has often been referred to as hockey's first bona fide superstar. He electrified fans and confounded the opposition in a way that ensured his exalted status in hockey history. -loh
He contributed to the Canadiens' consecutive Stanley Cup wins in 1930 and 1931. His blinding speed and puckhandling wizardry were key factors in Montreal's upset win over Boston in the 1930 finals.
He was one of the dominant offensive forces in the league in the late 1920s and early 1930s. He scored a league-high 51 points in 1927-28 and was presented with the Hart Trophy. Two years later he registered an incredible 40 goals in 44 games. In 1930-31, he won his second Hart Trophy and scoring title with another 51-point season. Morenz was also selected to the NHL's inaugural First All-Star Team in 1931. The following year he scored 49 points in 48 games and was awarded his third Hart Trophy in five seasons as well as another spot on the First All-Star Team.-loh
In 1950, he was voted the outstanding hockey player of the half-century by a national press poll.-loh
For much of his career forward passing was illegal so end to end rushes were the norm. He excelled in that area in spectacular fashion. He had blazing speed and could do magical things with the puck at that speed. He would dance through the entire team, often with reckless abandon, and often resulting in a terrific scoring chance. He did so in dramatic fashion, often bringing the fans out of their seats like so few hockey players are able to do.-Joe Pelletier
He was the best. He could stop on a dime and leave you nine cents change. He was in a class by himself. And when he couldn't skate around you, he'd go right through you.-undrafted player
You can take any era of hockey and the stars of yesterday would be stars of today. And he is right up there at the top of the class. I don't think from end to end I ever saw a guy like him. He was small, stocky, with the most powerful legs you've ever seen. He'd make rush after rush - at least 20 a game - and it never mattered how hard he got hit. Most players, after they were hit, you'd think 'Oh, he can't take that again,' but it didn't matter with him. Shot up into the seats in one rush, by killers like Eddie Shore and (undrafted player) and the like, and he'd come right back as if they didn't exist. And I'll tell you another thing, one of the greatest backcheckers I ever saw. He was just a terrific hockey player."-Undrafted coach
They don't come like him very often, about one in a century. He had everything, could rush, score goals, backcheck. You couldn't put the Rocket in the same breath as Howie, and that goes for everybody else. None of them were in the same stable.-undrafted player
Joe Pelletier:
He imposed his style on the game, and legions of hockey fans and goalies everywhere were grateful. It is not just that his method was effective, that the revolutionary quick drop-n-slide of a pad could stone the wickedest snap shot. Roy's way was also fun, dramatic, cocky, marvelous, at times even beautiful. Far beyond the statistics, Patrick Roy entertained us and thrilled us while he emerged so dazzlingly as the best.
Many of hockey's historical experts will tell you that Patrick Roy is the greatest goaltender of all time. With all due respect to the likes of xxxxx, xxxxx, xxxxx and Dominik Hasek, the stats are convincing.
Joe Pelletier:
While he was very good in the regular season, it was in the playoffs that St. Patrick worked his miracles.
Again the statistics are all on his side. He owns records for most career playoff games played by a goaltender (247), minutes played (15,209), most career playoff wins (151), and most career playoff shutouts (23).
To say he was instrumental in each championship is an understatement. He was the first three-time winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff's most valuable player.
AwardsJoe Pelletier:
No where was Roy's impact felt as strongly as in his native Quebec. French-Canadians in particular, maybe even the entire nation of Canada, no longer wanted to be Rocket Richard, Jean Believeau or Guy Lafleur when they grew up. They now wanted to be goaltenders. He made such an impact on the position that not only did they want to be goaltenders, but they wanted to be like Patrick and play the way he played.
Legends of Hockey said:The merits he accumulated during his career were impressive. As a player, the former Philadelphia captain led his club to Stanley Cup championships in 1974 and 1975. He also captured numerous individual awards, including the Hart Trophy as the league's most valuable player in 1973, 1975 and 1976, and made the All-Star Team four times. But Clarke's behavior on ice was far from heroic. Under the captaincy of Clarke, Philadelphia played a very aggressive game of hockey.
He had a famous, captivating smile - with about a dozen missing teeth. That is how Bobby Clarke will be remembered by those who saw him on ice. One of the best checkers in the entire history of the league, he was also a ruffian and a warrior. And a victor.
Philadelphia Flyers Legends said:No hockey player worked harder than Bobby Clarke, the tenacious leader of the Philadelphia Flyers for 15 enjoyable years. As a result, no one personified the Philadelphia Flyers better.
A wonderful talent blessed with great vision and playmaking skills, Clarke is better remembered for his physical talents - a relentless work ethic, a powerful leadership presence, and an unquenchable thirst to win complete with a willingness to do anything it took to capture victory.
It could be game in the middle of January and up or down by 6 goals, but Clarke played every shift as if it was overtime in game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals.
His super-human will should not overshadow his high skill level. Clarke was an incredible defensive player. He was almost always the guy to take the big faceoff, kill a key penalty or defend a lead in the last minute of play. As the statistics suggest, Clarke was a great playmaker as well. Twice he led the NHL in assists, and had 852 in total in his career, compared to 358 goals.
Best Hockey Players Of All Time said:Though some might question his managerial skills few can dispute this Philadelphia Flyer’s incredible determination, grit and will to win. Bobby Clarke would do whatever it took to win a hockey game (just ask XXXXXXX) and he led his Broad Street Bullies to 2 Stanley Cups during the 1970s, and was a key component of the Team Canada team that beat the Soviets in the 1972 Summit Series. Clarke wasn’t just grit though. He had plenty of raw talent and he racked up 1,210 regular season and 119 playoff points during his spectacular career. His success on the ice also translated to individual awards, and he carried home the Hart Trophy 3 times and the Selke Trophy once during his Hall of Fame career.
Bobby Clarke said:We take the shortest route to the puck and arrive in ill humor.
Legends of Hockey said:He was only 5'8" and 160 pounds but could hold his own in fights and in the corners with much larger opponents. But Lindsay was also a gifted offensive player, a natural goal scorer who set records for a left wing and made up one third of Detroit's famous Production Line in the 1940s and 1950s. Nine times he was an All-Star, eight of those selections to the First Team. Such a combination, in such a small, powerful package, hadn't been seen in the National Hockey League before the arrival of Terrible Ted Lindsay, and it hasn't been seen since.
Greatest Hockey Legends: Ted Lindsay said:No man on skates was ever too big or too tough for Ted Lindsay to challenge. At 5'8" and 160lbs he used his big stick and his fists to cut down some of the biggest meanest men in National Hockey League history.
Lindsay's place among hockey's great LWs is not in doubt. He was a 9 time all star, include 8 selections to the First Team. The 1950 Art Ross trophy winner scored 379 career goals, 472 career assists and 851 career points. He also had over 1800 PIMs in a 1000+ game career, all amazing numbers for the Original Six era.
Although he ranks as one of if not THE greatest left wingers in hockey history, perhaps his off ice achievements are his greatest legacy.
Overall, I think it is pretty clear that Dominik Hasek is the best goalie of the last 20 years (and I would argue the best goalie ever).
If I had to rank the goalies based on their overall performance in high-leverage situations, the top choice is pretty obvious: Dominik Hasek. Hasek was great in OT, dominating when his team was trying to mount a comeback, and virtually unbeatable when they had the lead. Hasek's career was great, but his results in Buffalo were even better - as a Sabre, Hasek's "close and late" playoff save percentage in 1,167 high-leverage third period and OT minutes was an astonishing .949.
[...]
This whole exercise helps describe a bit more of the team context these guys were playing in. Most of all, however, it shows that Dominik Hasek was the best goalie of his generation, and that his advantage over his peers was even greater when the chips were down.
I firmly believe no goalie in hockey history had as high a peak performance than "The Dominator." And he did it for years during Patrick Roy's reign.
Originally posted by Joe Pelletier
Schmidt was considered to be the ultimate two-way player of his day, a Trottier or Steve Yzerman of the 1940s. He was small but determined. He was a strong skater and clever puck distributor but also a great finish. As beautiful as he was to watch on the offense, the Bruins long time captain took equal pride in the defensive zone, and was not afraid to get his nose dirty. While he usually played cleanly, one reporter described his play as "angry."
Originally posted by Joe Pelletier
Schmidt was elected Boston's captain after he and the Bruins suffered through a miserable 1949-50 season, in which the club missed the playoffs and Schmidt scored a somewhat average 41 points (19 goals, 22 assists) in 68 games. With the 'C' on his sweater, Schmidt rebounded strongly for 22 goals, a career-high 39 assists and 61 points in 1950-51. He was awarded the Hart Trophy as the NHL's Most Valuable Player, and earned the last of his three first-team All-Star berths.
Originally posted by Legends-of-Hockey
Prior to his departure for the war, Schmidt was key to the Bruins' winning the Stanley Cup twice, once in 1939 in five games over Toronto, and again in 1941 against Detroit. That year the Bruins became the first team to win the Cup in the fewest games possible - eight. They were Schmidt's only Cup triumphs, even though he played another 10 years after the war. Perhaps his other great prewar highlight came as the 1939-40 season ended and for the first time in league history an entire forward line finished 1-2-3 in the NHL's scoring race, with Schmidt leading the way with 52 points.
Originally posted by Legends-of-Hockey
The Bruins lost NHL scoring leader xxxxx to a knee injury in the very first game of the playoffs. Schmidt came through with a hard-checking style that earned him mention as a game star in four of the games against Toronto, then was great in the finals with points in all four games. Had 1-1 in 3-2 1st game win, set up the winner in 2-1 game 2 win, had two goals including the winner in game three 4-2 triumph and had two assists in the 3-1 series clincher. He led the playoffs by three points with 5-6-11.
HHOF said:In a career that lasted two decades, he forged a reputation as a tenacious yet honest competitor. He rarely looked for trouble on the ice, but if the game turned rough, he was one of the league's more accomplished pugilists. Throughout his pro tenure, Clapper was a respected leader on the ice and in the dressing room.
[...]
A member of Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, Clapper was elected to the Hockey
Hall of Fame in 1947 when the customary waiting period was waived in recognition of his obvious greatness.
Tiny Thompson said:Clapper diagnosed the plays like a great infielder in baseball.He put himself where the puck had to come. "
THN said:Clapper had a simple creed - he fought his heart out, bounced players around and took the same kind of punishment he dished out. Once the game was over, however, he forgot it all and never held a grudge. That's what made him so popular with other players and fans throughout the entire NHL circuit.
Joe Pelletier said:... it was his willingness to play the rough North American style that had convince the Leafs to take the chance. It turned out to be one of the best risks ever taken.
legendsofhockey said:Salming is remembered for his slalom rushes across the rink and his powerful wrist shots in the style of Bobby Orr, as well as for his tricky but accurate passes so typical of the European game... Yet, for a hockey player capable of gaining points on the offensive, his eagerness to be a human shield and stop a slapshot was quite incredible. And he did it without much hesitation.
...
Another of Salming's strengths was his phenomenal stamina. Even at 38, while Salming was playing out his last season in Toronto, he would spend 30 to 40 minutes on the ice per game. In 1986, in a game against the Detroit Red Wings, he was badly injured when his face was cut with a skate. In photos taken at the time, Salming looked like a character out of a horror movie. But three days later he was back on the ice.
Joe Pelletier said:Until Borje Salming came along, NHL teams were afraid to take a chance on "soft" European players.
....
Time and time again Salming was tested by the NHL's toughest players, especially the Philadelphia Flyers gang of Broad Street Bullies. XXX and XXX laid beatings on him after jumping him in a fight, but Salming held his own. Not only did he stand up for himself, but he was able to dish out a few vicious shots himself. He earned the respect of the Flyers, especially their leader, Bobby Clarke.
"He was tough." admitted Clarke. "And he could use his stick too."
Joe Pelletier said:Salming was undoubtedly great. He could do it all, and was perhaps the best shot blocker of his era.
In his second NHL season, Börje started being seen as one of the top four defensemen in the league. Even though his peak didn't last over the entirety of Salming's stay in the NHL, his tenure lasted over 1100 games.
Season | 1st AST | 1st AST | 2nd AST | 2nd AST | Norris Trophy
1973-74 | Bobby Orr | Brad Park | XXX | XXX | Bobby Orr
1974-75 | Bobby Orr | Denis Potvin | Guy Lapointe| Börje Salming | Bobby Orr
1975-76 | Brad Park | Denis Potvin | Guy Lapointe | Börje Salming | Denis Potvin
1976-77 | Larry Robinson | Börje Salming | Guy Lapointe | Denis Potvin | Larry Robinson
1977-78 | Brad Park | Denis Potvin | Larry Robinson | Börje Salming | Denis Potvin
1978-79 | Denis Potvin | Larry Robinson | Börje Salming | Serge Savard | Denis Potvin
1979-80 | Raymond Bourque | Larry Robinson | Börje Salming | XXX| Larry Robinson
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In this analysis, both players 'won' two out of four five-year segments- Yzerman the first half of their respective careers, Sakic the back-half..
[
Sakic also had the added handicap of being only an average skater..
Really?
During the World Championships in Finland, Sakic wasn't happy when he compared his skating ability to the Europeans on the bigger ice surface. Next fall he was the first player cut from the Canada Cup team at the Canadian training camp. A trainer there told him that he didn't have sufficient leg strength. Sakic resolved to improve his skating and strength and went on a weightlifting program for the next year.
Out of the gate, yes. From LOH:
The seven-time winner of the Hardest Shot competition at the annual NHL All-Star Game, Al MacInnis is acknowledged as possessing the hardest slapshot in the NHL, and although at one time he used it at every opportunity, MacInnis later learned to harness the fear of his shot to set up plays, take an extra step or unleash the blast with another drive.
MacInnis spent thirteen seasons with Calgary before moving to St. Louis, but left Alberta having evolved into one of the most effective defensemen in the NHL.
SourceAt the time of his retirement, MacInnis had climbed to 17th place on the all-time games played list with 1,416, had accumulated 1,274 points and was twelfth on the all-time assists list with 934. Among defensemen, Al MacInnis ranks among the greatest ever, concluding his career third in goals with 340, third in assists and third in points.
His overall effective game which ranked him as one of the most complete defenders of any era is totally overlooked by his 100 mile an hour blast from the point that puts the fear of god into goalies and anyone standing in the way.
Over the years he learned to make his shot doubly effective by keeping the shot low, rarely over a foot off the ice, so that it was perfect for tip-ins and rebounds
Perhaps even more amazing than the strength and velocity of his shot was his accuracy. It was pretty rare to see a player block a MacInnis shot of any kind, especially the big slapper. MacInnis knew how to get puck through traffic and on to the net. It was this uncanny skill that he would pass on to many defensive partners
SourceBut if you look past that shot, you'll notice he was a complete defenseman with an incredible career.
MacInnis was a good skater in terms of lateral movement and agility, but he had average speed. He rarely rushed the puck, instead preferring to make crisp outlet passes. He played a very effective physical game, but was anything but a punishing physical presence. His game based on subtle intelligence, and if not observed closely, it can be taken for granted, even ignored.
SourceHis career resume reads like few others before him, but somehow Al MacInnis never really got the public recognition he deserved. One of the few times he did was in the 1989 Stanley Cup playoffs. MacInnis and his big shot led Calgary Flames to their first Stanley Cup championship. MacInnis was the leading scorer in those playoffs, the first defenseman to accomplish that feat. In fact he scored a point in each of his last 17 games that spring. For his dominant efforts he was awarded the Conn Smythe trophy as playoff MVP.
Team performance with vs without Al MacInnisMacInnis was a top offensive producer right from the time he broke into the league, leading the Calgary PP to be the best in the league. By 1989, he had developed into an even strength force as well, as he led the Flames to the Cup and won the Conn Smythe. He was a 1st team All-Star in 1990 and 1991, and continued to be a top ES and PP performer until he left Calgary in 1994.
MacInnis's accolades dropped off in the mid to late 90s. Part of this was that he had trouble playing a full season, missing 10-20 games in many seasons. However, he was still a force when he was on the ice, and in 1999 he played all 82 games, went +33 on a St Louis team that was only +14 overall, and won the Norris trophy. He continued to play well until his final season in 2003, when he was a 1st team All-Star at the age of 39.
I think MacInnis's consistent excellence and sometime greatness deserves recognition at this point. The main knock against him may be his in-season durability in the second half of his career. I don't care about that too much, as he was a great player on the ice and was always there for the playoffs.
he played in the modern era, most of us saw him many times. We saw him recently too. We can keep his career in perspective. While the players of days gone by exist as a mythological player. A player who plays the way we envision, rather than see. So the mythological player will always seem better than the real player.
HHOF said:Perhaps never has a finer man played in the NHL than Syl Apps. A remarkably skilled hockey player, he was big and strong and possessed one of the best shots in the league.
During that first year, many players thought he was too nice and not tough at all. XXXXX XXXXXXX discovered this belief was mistaken one night when he high-sticked Apps, knocking out two teeth. Apps dropped his gloves and pummeled XXXXXXX
Joe Pelletier said:Syl Apps ranks as one of the greatest captains in Toronto Maple Leaf history. A team captain from 1940 through 1943 and again from 1945 until his retirement in 1948, Apps was the star of the 1940s dynasty that captured 3 Stanley Cups with him at the helm.
Apps was an artistic a player as have ever played in the National Hockey League. They called him the “Nijinsky of the Ice,†comparing his graceful skating abilities to the happy feet of the great Russian ballet dancer Naslav Nijinsky. Equally as impressive were his puck skills – he had one of the most accurate shots and loved to set up his teammates – particularly XXXXX and XXXXX. He could do tricks with the puck as he stickhandled down ice unlike almost any player of any era. Comparisons to modern day superstar Joe Sakic are not without merit. Several of the few old timers who are still with us insist Syl was the greatest player they had ever seen.
Ultimate Hockey said:Though a big man for his time, Apps moved with speed and grace and possessed one of the most accurate shot around.
Peak Years 1939-43
Comparable Recent Player Joe Sakic
In a Word CANADIAN
Maple Leafs Top-100 said:The six-foot, 185-pounds centre had a determination to go to the net. Apps was a clean player and would rarely display any temper, but woe to anyone who dared to challange him too strongly. His leadership skills were never more evident than when he led the Leafs back from a three-game-to-none deficit against Detroit.
The Trail of the Stanley Cup said:XXXX XXXXX, the Detroit manager, was particulary impressed with Apps whom he rated as even greater than Howie Morenz.
He was bigger a bigger centre player than most of those he faced but he never took advantage of his size to intimidate an opponent. However, his great stickhandling and finesse attracted holding, tripping and boarding.
The All-New Hockey's 100 said:To begin with, his virtues were beyond reproach. He played the game with infinite finesse, yet with a courage and vigor that inspired every hockey-loving father to tell his son that that was the way he wanted his kid to do it.
Who's Who in Hockey said:Syl Apps was the Bobby Orr of the pre-World War II ERA.
Trail of the Stanley Cup said:There is no player in professional hockey who stood higher in the estimation of the experts and fans for general all-round ability combined with clean play and gentlemanly conduct on and off the ice than Frank Nighbor.
King Clancy said:I roomed with Frank Nighbor, who was then (i.e. early '20s) regarded as the best player in the world.
Ottawa Citizen: 3-28-1928 said:Nighbor was given one of the greatest tributes ever extended by a fellow player from his great opponent Howie Morenz. When Frank Ahearn congratulated Morenz on winning the Hart Trophy, the latter replied:
Morenz declared he had never seen anything to exceed the exhibition of Nighbor in the 1st period against Maroons.Howie Morenz said:I won the cup (i.e. Hart Trophy), but Nighbor is the greatest player in hockey.
Ottawa Citizen: 5-3-1927 said:"Cyclone" Taylor has great admiration for Frank Nighbor as a player, naming the famous poke-check king the greatest player of all-time.
Windsor Daily Star: 12-14-1946 said:15 Years Ago
From The Star of December, 14, 1931
Frank Nighbor, whom sports writers and other experts agreed was the best forward in hockey of all time, was preparing to leave the game and return to his native Pembroke.
Ottawa Citizen: 1-29-1946 said:Now, Howie Morenz was probably the most colourful of all those flying forwards yet if we look back we do not find that he ever put Frank Nighbor in the shade. In fact, I will be so different that I will suggest with conviction that Nighbor was the more effective player of the two and I say this despite the fact that poor Howie was one of my closest friends.
...
There were a lot of people who worshipped at the Morenz shrine, but there were just as many who gave that highest award to the stoical Pembroke Peach. It is all a matter of opinion.
Frank Selke in 11-10-1962 Montreal Gazette said:With all due respect to the many wonderful players who have come and gone since 1900, there are few who could be rated above Frank Nighbor. Someone once called him the "peerless centre," and I can think of no label which would have been more apt. We always felt he could have played a complete game of hockey in formal attire without even putting a wrinkle in his suit. He was a leading scorer, an expert passer and a playmaker; and no rival forward could come close to him in defensive skill. Along with Jack Walker he developed the poke-check to such an extent that his contemporaries were forced to revamp completely their style of play in order to cope with him.
....
It is hard to say whether Morenz' style of play was more effective than Nighbor's, but there was this difference--Nighbor was so letter-perfect that a spectator could fall asleep watching him play, knowing just what was going to happen.
Ottawa Citizen: 2-8-1929 said:So far ahead of all hockey players in defensive ability, in starting plays and in outguessing the opposition is Frank Nighbor that it would be almost a shame to mention another in the game at the present time. There is only one "Old Master" and aspiring players have a star to aim at.
Montreal Gazette: 11-20-1925 said:In centre ice, the great Frank Nighbor again showed he is in a class by himself. He outplayed whoever was opposed to him.
....
Nighbor made Cougars look bad with his natty defence work.
pitseleh said:From what I've been able to gather from old articles is that Nighbor is very often mentioned as the second best center after Morenz (and surprisingly ahead of Lalonde). Maybe the people who saw him play valued defensive play more than we seem to, but he is consistently mentioned as a great of the game right there with Morenz and Shore.
Toronto World: 3-17-1917 said:Joe Malone and Frank Nighbor are tied as the leading goal-getters in the NHA.
....
It is an odd fact that Nighbor has been harassed and nagged all thru the season while Malone is seldom the butt of opposing players. The answer lies here:
Nighbor irritates opposing players, not only in the skill in which he pops in goals, but in his persistency in trailing the puck, and in his almost uncanny efficiency in snagging it off the other fellow's stick. In doing this he nearly always makes his victim look like what is termed in sporting parlance a "sucker," and very frequently his opponents seek to make up their lack of hockey skill by rough-house.
Malone as a player is not of the same value as Nighbor, even tho he is by a fluke of circumstances tied with the Pembroke boy in scoring. Malone has done his work in bursts while Nighbor has plugged steadily. Nor is Malone the equal of Nighbor in speed or back-checking ability. But for sheer stick-wizardry, particularly close to the nets, Malone has the edge.
King Clancy said:Nighbor was an outstanding checker who played at centreice. Nobody could handle a hockey stick like Frank Nighbor. He was the master of the poke-check. .... Nighbor should really be credited as the greatest hook-check artist of them all. Instead of poking the puck off someone's stick, he had a knack of trapping the puck with a hook-check and bringing it back to his own stick as if the puck were on a string. It was a magician's touch. And once he got the puck, he rarely gave it away again.
Trail of the Stanley Cup said:Skating backward and waving his stick in wandlike fashion, preparatory for use in his devastating poke check, was also a marvel of coordination. It was hard for his admirers to make up their minds at which he was best, offense or defense.
MacKenzie also picked Nighbor as the C on his all time team.Red MacKenzie said:He perfected the poke and hook check which he used to break up opposing attackers and it was nothing to see his own defensemen resting on their sticks and his goaler stifling many a yawn as the Pembroke Peach massacred eight out of ten plays that came through his center slot.
Gorman also said later that Nighbor was the greatest player he had ever seen.Tommy Gorman said:Frank Nighbor is the greatest defensive hockey player I have ever seen.
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...in my opinion, by far the greatest defensive centre in the game.
Ottawa Citizen: 2-20-1947 said:We remember one night when Rangers were here, with Frankie Boucher, Bill and Bun Cook at the peak of their razzle-dazzle brilliance. Boucher came whirling over the Ottawa blueline, the Cooks criss-crossed, and Frankie drove the puck around the rush end of the playing surface, from left wing to right. Nighbor had come back with the play, and as Boucher shot the puck, the Dutchman turned, took a couple of strides towards the left side of the Ottawa net, and stood still. The puck traveled around the boards, came to Bill Cook, and the latter's attempted pass out went directly onto Nighbor's stick.
Questioned later about that particular play, Nighbor gave an answer that emphasized just how fast he was thinking, and just how much hockey "savy" he possessed. His reply was: "When Bill Cook got that puck from Boucher, where else could he pass it?" Needless to say, the answer closed the inquiry.
Montreal Gazette: 2-3-1926 said:Nighbor with his pokecheck was breaking up the locals' drive, and they had difficulty in getting past him. He stood out like a traffic cop, and was directing the opposing players down the wing lanes, where they were promptly covered.
Montreal Gazette: 12-18-1943 said:Baz O'Meara (Montreal Star sportswriter) was talking only yesterday about Clint Benedict and in course of the conversation told how Benny, when he was playing for the old Ottawa Senators, used to point to Frank Nighbor and say "There's the best goaltender in the league." Although Nighbor was a centre, he was probably the greatest defensive forward of all time, which made Benny's chore a lot lighter.
Montreal Gazette: 11-15-1951 said:Some old-timers claim Frank was without a peer as a centre; others say he would have been if he'd been a better offensive player. He was past his peak when we saw him, but he still had much of his great defensive skill. Tall and thin, he was a master at the poke check and the hook check, either facing the puck-carrier and poking the puck away from him or coming from behind to lean away over and hook it away from him. He could keep a whole team at bay all by himself in the days of parallel passing.
There is a story, a bit apocryphal it must be admitted, of how he so frustrated the great Howie Morenz one night, never allowing him to pass centre ice, that Howie broke into tears. A different version of it says it was Nels Stewart, not Howie, and that Nels finally hauled off and shot the puck at him. Perhaps neither incident ever happened, but they serve to illustrate the kind of defensive genius he undoubtedly was.
Frank made a brief appearance in the sports pages a few years ago when a Toronto writer quoted Dit Clapper as saying that Nighbor wouldn't be the same kind of standout in the kind of hockey they are playing today. So much invective was hurled at Dit by Frank's admirers that he must have felt he had fired the opening shot in a Third World War.
Montreal Gazette: 4-13-1946 said:The following excerpts appear in the official National Hockey League annual as a tribute to the great Nighbor.Frank Nighbor, the 'Gliding Ghost' of Pembroke, was the centre ice star for the Ottawa teams of that era and there probably never was a cleaner nor more sporting player than this poker-faced exponent of the hook-check, who at times became almost a team in himself.
Marc T. McNeil in 3-28-1941 Montreal Gazette said:A Suggestion
A reader signing himself "Old Hockey Fan" suggests that some screen news company is missing a bet in not making a "short" of Frank Nighbor in order to reveal to all hockey fans and to preserve for posterity the mechanics and finesse of the famed Nighbor "poke-check" which made the old Ottawa star a "one man defense" at centre ice and broke the heart of so many rival attackers. The idea would be to show Frank making the play at normal speed and then in slow motion shots to depict the progressive phases of his poke-check.
While admitting that Nighbor has long since retired from hockey, "Old Hockey Fan" believes Frank is "still spry enough to give us a flash of the old-time magic," for although Nighbor can no longer play, it is inconceivable that he would have forgotten the technique of how to poke-check.
Our correspondent writes, "in many a game played in Ottawa some 20 years ago, and in many other games played in Montreal in more recent years, I have been puzzled as to just how Nighbor managed to take the puck away from the other fellow so deftly and without any apparent effort. And I am willing to wager I am not the only one who wondered how it was done."
He concludes by stating that such a "short" as he proposes would "solve the mystery" of Nighbor's now almost legendary poke-check. Such a revelation might also serve to teach young players that remarkable defensive art.
Montreal Gazette: 12-28-1927 said:Nighbor rose to greater heights than ever to repel the crimson charge of Canadiens, and it was his clever defensive work in the last analysis that that thwarted the league leaders. Time after time, he broke up their rushes, and it was his work that held Morenz as in a vise. The latter never could get going in his usual meteoric fashion.
Ottawa Citizen: 2-8-1929 said:Bill Cook put up a great effort to avert defeat (NYR lost 1-2). He was unable to get the plays started that he did on the occasion of the last visit of Rangers here (NYR had won 9-3 when Nighbor was injured.), due to the numerous passes intercepted by Nighbor.
Ottawa Citizen: 2-17-1926 said:Morenz has played better games than he did tonight, but still the "Stratford Streak" was always dangerous while he was in action. He received more than the usual attention from Nighbor and that no doubt impaired his effectiveness considerably.
Ottawa Citizen on the same game:Montreal Herald: 1-9-1925 said:Ottawa Senators showed last night in beating Canadiens 2(?)-0 before a packed house at the Arena the closest approach to the polished hockey and machine-like play which marked the club at the height of its career. Three factors stood out in Ottawa's victory:
The Net-minding of young X
The defensive play of Nighbor
The "breaks" of the game
Ottawa Citizen: 1-9-1925 said:Meanwhile, out near center-ice, Frank Nighbor, his face dripping blood all through the game after an accidental jab in the early passages, was a heroic figure. His far-reaching stick was almost magnetic, as it hooked the puck off Canadien sticks, Nighbor bending low, his long reach sweeping almost from side to side of the ice, breaking up one attack after another, and keeping the Habitants from getting to close quarters with their usual good effect.
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Howie Morenz got away while George Boucher was serving one of his numerous penalties, and was inside the defense, with a goal a seeming certainty, but Nighbor streaked up behind him at a terrific clip, and Morenz delayed his shot a fraction of a second too long, for Nighbor hurled himself full length, fell on Morenz' stick, smothering stick and puck, and sliding into the boards behind the net with both beneath him--possibly the most spectacular save of the night.
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...the Habitants could seldom pass the Nighbor menace at centre-ice.
Ottawa Citizen: 1-30-1928 said:Howie Morenz, while showy as usual, was not so effective, and Frank Nighbor had him well in hand at many stages.
Toronto Globe: 2-27-1922 said:The Irish played good combination all evening, and the famous checking of the invaders failed to worry them much. Nighbor was effective, but the other players failed to keep him company. (Ottawa lost 5-7.)
Toronto Globe: 3-2-1922 said:The Ottawa defense was particularly vulnerable, and but for the yeoman work of Frank Nighbor, the Ottawa centre, the Irishmen would have piled up a commanding lead in the first two periods. (Ottawa lost 2-3)
Ottawa Citizen: 1-25-1946 said:I'd like to have seen (Nighbor) reach down once more, and with that stick of his which seemed so long, and which turned out to be regulation size after all, baffle the best of the opposition centers, not even excluding Howie Morenz.
Ottawa Citizen: 12-15-1927 said:Lou Marsh assumed command before the game started. He paraded Nels Stewart, Frank Carson and Frank Nighbor over to the timer's box and measured their sticks. They were all within the law.
Toronto Sunday World: 1-6-1913 said:His main feature is stealing the puck by the hooked stick method, which he has down to perfection. He also has a wicked shot, which kept Boyes hustling to beat.
Toronto World: 1-16-1913 said:Nighbor was a big improvement from his last game and was the leader in the back-checking.
Toronto World: 2-13-1913 said:Nighbor was the only man who played the game for Torontos. (2-11 loss) He checked back the whole way and was the life of the forward line.
Toronto World: 2-17-1913 said:Nighbor was the star of the game, and the Toronto fans would like to see a few more of his calibre. His great stick-handling and checking back are nice to see, and he plays clean hockey, as he keeps in condition and can easily keep up the pace set by any team without trying to play his check out by getting him instead of the puck. Right there lies the keynote to real hockey and until the teams in the NHA realize this they will never be able to play real hockey.
Nighbor also scored 2 goals and set up the 1st, in the 6-2 Toronto win.Toronto World: 3-6-1913 said:The majority of the Canadiens seemed off their game and thru the back-checking of Toronto, particularly Nighbor, they were bottled up to such an extent that they seldom got a clear shot at Holmes.
Toronto World: 2-10-1913 said:Nighbor was there with some great stick handling and he kept Vezina busy with his accurate shooting.
Montreal Gazette: 2-17-1913 said:The only real feature of the game was the playing of Nighbor (at LW) and Holmes for the locals. The former played his best game of the season, his shooting being at all times excellent, every shot being dead on the goal. His puck carrying was also the best he has shown here this season. Time and again he secured the puck, and by fake passes, worked his way inside the defense. He scored six goals.
Montreal Daily Mail: 12-30-1916 said:Frank Nighbor, the Pembroke star, reported back to Senators Saturday morning, displaying a right hand which had been gashed painfully in practice at the North Renfrew town last week. But Nighbor signed up, consented to play and gave a dazzling display of all around hockey. Seldom, if ever, in fact, has he excelled it. His sore hand did not prevent him from going through the Canadien defense time after time, with the result that six of the seven Ottawa goals were credited to the Pembroke idol. His back-checking, his poke check, his passing, shooting and dodging were all typical of Nighbor at his best.
Toronto World: 2-19-1919 said:(Ottawa down 1-3 in the 3rd) Right from the faceoff Nighbor beat X with a shot from outside the defense. Nighbor carried it down and passed it to Cleghorn, who evened the score. Full time arrived with the score tied.
The Arenas were the first to press in the overtime. X and Noble had shots, and X gave Benedict a hard one to stop. Nighbor carried down the boards, dropped the puck back to Broadbent, and he beat X with a shot from well out. This made the final 4-3.
Ottawa Citizen: 12-7-1928 said:Nighbor's winning goal was a beauty. He broke from center and sped for X's side of the defense (left side). Old X carried him wide but Frank cut loose with a fast backhander that sent the puck skimming into the far side of the net.
Nighbor was the hero of the hour and ten minutes, slamming in the winning goal, and feeding X the pass for the other tally a minute later. (both goals were scored in OT.)
Nighbor seems to have used that move regularly. 10 days later:Ottawa Citizen: 3-25-1927 said:Some of the most spectacular hockey ever witnessed was on tap last night. The customers saw the great Frank Nighbor turn in a wonderful play to score Ottawa's 4th goal 13 minutes after the start of the 3rd period. Nighbor hooked the puck from "Happy" Day near center ice, then stickhandled his way around X and X in turn, to get in on top of X in the Toronto net. X was decoyed out of his cage and the Old Master quietly lifted the disc into the net.
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Not in years had Frank Nighbor played better than he played last night. He broke up rush after rush in the mid area and he led several well-directed attacks on the Leafs' citadel. Nighbor's goal in the 3rd period, which settled the issue beyond doubt, was one of the most beautifully executed plays ever witnessed in any hockey match.
more instances of the same play:Ottawa Citizen: 4-4-1927 said:Nighbor's Spectacular Tally
Ottawa's fourth and final goal came 11 minutes and 40 seconds after the start of the second period and it was scored by the master mechanic, Frank Nighbor. Clancy had been put off for hooking X, and while King was in conversation with the penalty timer, Kilrea was chased to the sidelines for giving Morenz a lofty tumble. Hooley Smith, Nighbor and George Boucher held the onrushing Canadiens at bay until Clancy and Kilrea returned. And with the team at full strength, Nighbor opened up. The Ottawa center man obtained the puck back at his own blue line to dash around Morenz and then sidestep Mantha. He completely outguessed Hainsworth when the latter was set for the shot, by pulling the goaler to one side then tossing the puck in behind him. It was the most spectacular goal of the evening and it ended the scoring.
Toronto World: 2-14-1916 said:In the third, the Ottawas registered their only tally, Frank Nighbor taking the disc from Lalonde and scoring after a magnificent piece of stickhandling. He drew X out and scored on the open net.
Ottawa Citizen: 3-1-1917 said:Nighbor suddenly grabbed the puck at center, dodged Mummery, drew Vezina to one side of the net and drove it like a bullet into the other side as Ottawa backers jumped to their feet in ecstasies of delight.
It was the prettiest play of the night. Mummery charged back into Nighbor and bowled him over, but the Pembroke boy arose with a smile and skated back to his position.
Ottawa Citizen: 2-12-1920 said:3 minutes later, Boucher and Nighbor rushed, and Nighbor, after a magnificent bit of stickhandling, drew out the Canadien goalkeeper and scored a beauty, making it 2-2.
an unsuccessful instance of the same play:Toronto World: 1-24-1921 said:Frank Nighbor dodged the Toronto defense, drew goaler X out and tallied the first one in two minutes.
Montreal Gazette: 1-19-1920 said:From the face-off Nighbor was the first to break away. He went down the ice and stick handled his way inside the local defense. He drew Vezina out, having an open net to shoot at. In his over-anxiety, Nighbor missed the net, striking the goal post with his shot.
Ottawa Citizen: 3-25-1927 said:Nighbor attempted a golf stroke, in the first period, which scored a hole in one, by landing on a spectator's nasal organ, much to the spectator's discomfiture, as the last seen of him was a claret colored handkerchief, as he beat a hasty retreat to safer quarters.
Montreal Gazette: 5-5-1965 said:There's been an improvement in the calibre of hockey played in the NHL but there's little new for the fan to watch, the veteran (Bill Beveridge) figures.
He recalls that Frankie Nighbor of the Ottawa Senators used the slapshot and compares the wicked shot of Toronto's Charlie Conacher to that of Chicago's Bobby Hull of today.
an example from the '20 finals:Ottawa Citizen: 1-26-1946 said:We must not forget that Frank Nighbor was a pivot man and most unselfish. On occasions too numerous to mention he passed when he could have scored alone. In one game back in the '20s I saw him sacrifice a dozen opportunities to tally so that "Punch" Broadbent or Cyril Denneny could do the firing.
Nighbor scored 2g in the game and was named by the paper as one of the stars of the game.Toronto World: 3-28-1920 said:The ice in the second period was in a terrible state. Nighbor went thru, but passed when he had a good chance to bore in.
Ottawa Citizen: 11-23-1927 said:It was a pretty effort, with Nighbor coaxing the Cougar defense men to check him and then slipping the puck to his mate, uncovered on the right boards. The typical Nighbor play earned the goal and Holmes had no chance to save.
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In tying the score, Nighbor had Holmes just as much in his mercy. He got the puck straight out from the net and took his time to place it perfectly in an unguarded corner.
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Nighbor, master pivot, led the Ottawa attack to victory. He worked his youthful wings to perfection and famous check was as disastrous as ever to Cougar rushes.
Montreal Gazette on the same game:Ottawa Citizen: 1-2-1926 said:Main Cog Missing
Frank Nighbor, main cog in the Ottawa smooth-working hockey machine, went into last night's game feeling none too well, and was compelled to retire in the 2nd period. With the peerless center-ice man out of commission, the locals are not by any means as formidable as they are when he is at his best.
Montreal Gazette: 1-2-1926 said:Injury to Nighbor, Early in Second Session, Tended to Disorganize Play of League Leaders
An injury to Nighbor in the early part of the second period also handicapped the Senators and their play became uncertain and to an extent disorganized.
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It was at this stage of the game that Nighbor retired. Although Hooley Smith who replaced him played exceptionally well and Gorman and Finnigan who substitued at right wing played sterling hockey, the Ottawa firing line did not work with the same machine like precision that featured their play with Nighbor on the ice.
Montreal Gazette: 2-27-1922 said:Nighbor Outstanding
Although Cyril Denneny scored 4 of the 5 goals obtained by the visitors, he was not their most outstanding player. Either Nighbor or Clancy earns this honor. The great centre man, who it is rumored is about to retire, gave a wonderful exhibition of how to play the centre ice position, and there is no doubt that he is without a peer. His uncanny poke checking, speedy dashes and stick handling were a treat to watch, and several goals were due to him.
Montreal Gazette: 12-6-1926 said:The game served as a denial to the well-worn belief that Ottawa has a one-man team with Frank Nighbor, poke-checking centre, as the king-pin. Nighbor was not in uniform, owing to a severe cold.
Montreal Gazette: 1-17-1921 said:Despite their aversion to seeing Ottawa win, they did not fail to applaud the good work of Frank Nighbor, who has certainly got himself "in right" with Toronto fans. His poke-check was responsible for breaking up several likely-looking rushes. He also found time to score three goals. But the thing that commended itself most was the strategy he used in directing his team. Now and again Cyril Denneny was wont to break up his team's defensive system by doing needless checking and skating. It was here that Nighbor, with eagle eye, detected probable loopholes for scoring and he promptly advised Denneny, not on one occasion, but on several, to play his position. The above is not intended to reflect on the playing ability of Denneny, who proved himself in Saturday's game to be a player of no mean calibre, but it goes to show how a captain should control his team on the ice.
another example Nighbor's leadership from a practice:Calgary Daily Herald: 3-31-1923 said:EDMONTON SPEEDIER
Comparing the two teams it would be fair to say that Edmonton have in Gagne, Arbour, Trapp and Simpson, four men who can skate half as fast again as any man on the Senators line, but Clancy. On the other hand it is doubtful if the Esks have the collection of brainy strategists at all comparable to Ottawa. Their generalship is wonderful. Frank Nighbor is the master strategist. He knows every move in hockey and when he seems to be loafing he is merely gathering his forces for another raid.
Ottawa Citizen: 11-3-1927 said:The players kept up the same relentless pace, the whole squad was in action and Frank Nighbor, who had a bad cold, was in the thick of every play. Nighbor is taking considerable pains in the work of instilling systematic ice play into Senators and his constant chatter and advice is helping to mould the youngsters into powerful performers.
Ottawa Citizen: 11-26-1947 said:Speaking of the best players he had ever seen, Clancy claimed Frank Nighbor as the best team player he had ever seen, while Howie Morenz was the most colorful.
Boston Globe:11-30-1926 said:Nighbor at center ice is probably the most effective man in forward-line play. His poke check, either a jab or a sweep, has ruined more combination plays than that of any other player.
Ottawa Citizen: 2-8-1929 said:What a Whale of a Difference Nighbor Makes!
Last night, with the Old Master on the ice, Ottawa took the sting of a 9-3 defeat out of their systems by beating New York Rangers, 2-1, and thus avenging the sound trimming administered by the same team a few weeks ago. Under the coaching, assistance and inspiration of the great Nighbor, Ottawa outplayed the fastest players wily Lester Patrick could shoot at them in relays, and in the last long ten minutes, when they were out on their feet, defended Ottawa's goal as no other team has done here this season.
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The 1st period was productive of good, but canny, hockey. The outstanding feature of it was the return of Nighbor, who soon showed that his plaster cast was perhaps the most potent factor in keeping Ottawa out of the money berths this year. For, handicapped as he must have been after the long lay-off, he showed right away that Ottawa is not near its hockey capacity when it is Nighborless.
Montreal Gazette: 2-25-1924 said:Frank Nighbor was back in the Ottawa line-up after an absence of several games through injuries to his wrists, and his return to the champions was largely responsible in the marked reversal in their play over the mediocre display last Thursday night. Nighbor was not only fresh after his rest and consequently at his very best around centre ice, where he broke up many a Canadien rush with his famed poke-check, but he guided the champions steadily. It was a cool pass from Nighbor that brought about the winning(?) (and only) goal, and it was also his trip of Morenz in the second period that prevented this stellar Canadien from counting.
Ottawa Citizen: 2-17-1926 said:Frank Nighbor at center was a tower of strength to the Ottawas, both offensively and defensively. He was given rather a rough ride by heavy body checks, but returned bumps for bumps and all together played one of his very best games. In the second period, X attempted to cross-check Ottawa's famous center-ice player, but the latter beat the Canadien to a punch, although Ottawa supporters thought both should have gone off, if a penalty was deserved.
A curious thing happened midway in the second period, when Morenz, at top speed, charged at Nighbor. The latter saw what was coming and neatly side-stepped him, with a result that Morenz crashed into X, knocking the Canadien defense man down on the ice.
Mike Rodden said:Ottawa's championship chances in the National Hockey League will not be bright if Frank Nighbor, veteran centre-ice man, remain in retirement.
Ottawa Citizen: 1-30-1928 said:Nighbor went into action under quite a handicap as his injured foot had not fully mended, but notwithstanding, this center ice star turned in one of his very best performances, which means nothing more need be said.
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Nighbor Scores Winning Tally
Nighbor hooked the disc from X, as the latter was headed for the Ottawa net, and sidestepped away from several well-intended body thrusts to get inside his opponent's blue line. Seeing an opening between the two defensemen, Nighbor let his shot fly. It wasn't as hard as some others that had been directed at the Canadien cage, but it caught Hainsworth rather unawares.
Montreal Gazette: 12-24-1924 said:Injury to Nighbor in Opening Period Severe Blow to Losers
Ottawa fans know what Senators look like when Nighbor, or any of the big 4 of Nighbor, Boucher, Clancy and Denneny, are forced out of action. They drop from brilliancy to mediocrity right away and that is what they did last night.
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The latter, demoralized by the loss of Nighbor, never seemed to get their combination plays going.
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The sensational net display of Benedict was the salvation of the Montreal team time and again, but on the other hand, a little more concerted play by Ottawa's forwards and less selfishness might have turned the verdict in favor of Senators.
Ottawa Citizen: 3-18-1927 said:If there was one outstanding player on the Ottawa team last night, it was Frank Nighbor, whose performance was well-nigh perfect. Nighbor not only did a lot of telling defensive work, but he also broke through the Bruin defense on several occasions for wicked drives on X in the Bruin net.
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The great Frank Frederickson was completely outplayed by the great Frank Nighbor. The Ottawa center-ice star was superior in every aspect of the game, and Frederickson had little opportunity to shine.
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Shore and Hitchman, the Bruins' defense duo, gave Frank Nighbor, Ottawa's peerless center, a hard ride, which, however, spurred him on to greater efforts in tying the Bostonian forward line in knots.
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Frank Nighbor gave as good as he received last night, and on one occasion piled into Eddie Shore, Bruin defenseman, sending him flat on his back.
Ottawa Citizen: 3-11-1920 said:Winning Streak of Champion Senators Stopped at Nine Straight as Lowly "Bulldogs" Defeated Them 10-4 over Slushy Sheet of Ice. Ottawas Were Without Frank Nighbor and Joe Malone Ran Wild. Scoring Six Goals.
Joe Malone ran wild in the absence of Nighbor and scored 6 goals for Quebec, beating out "Newsy" Lalonde for the league honors.
Malone was giving the Ottawa defense a busy night as Frank Nighbor with his pokecheck was not there to stop up the Quebec captain.
Montreal Gazette: 4-2-1923 said:The Senators got their lone score about halfway through the first period and from that point they played a safe, but an uninteresting defensive game, which the Eastern rules allow.
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It was a battle of speed and brilliant attack against experience, a heady calculation in every play and grim determination and the latter won.
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Welded into a whole, and working as a team, the Senators are probably without peers in Canada today.
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A moment later, Broadbent scored on a pass from Nighbor. The Ottawa players adopted an airtight defense.
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The Ottawa players for a great part of this period checked with such persistency that Edmonton made little headway.
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Edmonton came back, but the checking was close and they were unable to get over the Ottawa blueline.
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Nighbor camped himself just back of his own blue line and worked his hook-check so effectively that the Eskimos were turned back time and again.
Ottawa Citizen: 12-31-1928 said:There was one thing noticeable tonight and that was when the Senators were one up, they did not resort to their usual pastime of "Kitty bar the door."
Frank Nighbor, the famous center player, was not with the Senators.
Pittsburgh Press: 11-17-1927 said:Nighbor is one of the smartest center tee men in the business, inclined to ease up when the going is not so rough, but mighty effective in the tight spots.
a similar situation in a different game:Ottawa Citizen: 1-24-1946 said:When the famous Senators found it necessary to score goals, Nighbor often threw caution to the four winds of chance and it was then that the danger signal flashed in his opponents' end of the rink. During one eventful game in Toronto, the Senators trailed by one goal with only five minutes to go. Cyril Denneny and "Punch" Broadbent had been fed pass after pass by Nighbor but they could not get through, so the Pembroke wizard took over and twice in succession he flashed in to hit the rigging.
Montreal Gazette: 2-15-1923 said:Playing steadily in mid-ice when his defense wabbled behind him, Nighbor gave one of his best exhibitions of poke-checking and clever attacking. Time after time Nighbor would hook the puck away from Irish forwards in tantalizing style and dash in on the X-X defense. He broke loose in the third period and scored two well-earned goals, the result of sparkling plays. His wingmen, Denneny, Broadbent and Darragh were woefully off in this marksmanship, and they threw away many easy chances in this manner.
Ottawa Citizen: 2-17-1926 said:Nighbor was playing one of his best defensive games. His poke check was in the way of all Canadien attacks and Hooley Smith was not far behind the pivot man. The too strong defensive led to ragged hockey.
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(After scoring the first goal) Ottawa immediately turned to defensive hockey, but were backing up under the dashes of Joliat, X and Morenz, especially when George Boucher and Clancy took turns in the penalty box.
Toronto World: 1-24-1921 said:Manager X changed his system Saturday night and caught the Toronto team flat-footed. Instead of laying his men back at the start of the match, the Ottawa coach opened up a cyclonic attack, and Ottawa had two goals in the bag before the Torontos steadied down. Frank Nighbor dodged the Toronto defense, drew goaler X out and tallied the first one in two minutes.
Montreal Gazette: 1-31-1920 said:Throughout the 1st period, Manager Green kept his extra man near the defence, and it was evident, as Lalonde also lay back on the Canadien defence, that both were playing cautious hockey.
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with a fair lead (2-0), Ottawas then changed their tactics. Nighbor, instead of laying back to help out his defence, shot up into the play. Everything was immediately thrown into the attack and in a few minutes, the Canadiens cracked under the strain. Frank Nighbor dodged in himself and made it 3-0. Three minutes later, skating in on top of Darragh's shot, Nighbor recovered the rebound off Vezina, and made it 4-0. Canadiens then took a brace and Odie Cleghorn beat out Benedict from a sharp angle on Donald Smith's pass, but this failed to stop the irresistible Senators, and in a minute or so, Broadbent broke into the summary on a pass from Nighbor, making it 5-1. Each goal was scored from within a few feet, and Vezina had no chance to stop it, though he did block a score of others.
Montreal Gazette: 4-3-1926 said:Ottawa's big move was to send Frank Nighbor close up to the cage on the chance that he might get his famed poke check into action and take the puck from a Maroon player attempting to carry it out of danger. A steal by Nighbor in the shadow of the Montreal goal would have been almost fatal to Maroons.
X saw the threat and met it with instructions to his players which were carried out to the letter. Nighbor never got a chance to use his famed hook-check. The Maroons had been instructed not to try and pass him.
They played it as far as the Ottawa Senator and then played it off the boards, rounding Nighbor to pick up the puck again behind him. It was a simple trick, not noticed by many, but it was a deciding defensive move which rendered negative Ottawa's main threat.
Toronto World: 2-14-1918 said:Frank Nighbor appeared at centre for the Ottawas and was the pick of the line. Nighbor was given a fierce grueling by the Toronto team and in the first period there was just one continual procession of players to the penalty bench for their methods of checking Nighbor. Frank came through all right until a few minutes before the close. Reg Noble lifted the puck and struck the Ottawa star in the left eye.
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Nighbor worked like a Trojan and scored Ottawa's only goal in the third period when he took the puck around the back of the net and shoved it in unassisted.
Ottawa Citizen: 1-20-1926 said:The game, while bitterly contested from the start, was quite free from undue roughness until near the end of the final period when Billy Coutu got his stick around Frank Nighbor's neck and threw him heavily to the ice. For this offence referee Laflamme gave Coutu a ten minute penalty.
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During the latter part of the game, Frank Nighbor, of the Ottawas, was given much attention. He was given many a rude jolt with elbows and knees, but came through it all, and in the end was playing much more aggressively than when he started.
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Nighbor foiled rush after rush of the Canadiens, and while he showed little aggressiveness in the opening period, except when scoring the Senators' first goal, he was quite a factor in the 2nd and 3rd periods, regardless of the many heavy checks he received.
Ottawa Citizen: 2-24-1916 said:Ottawas Win Terrific Game from Wanderers; Two Savage Assaults on Frank Nighbor
Ottawa Citizen: 1-6-1917 said:President Robinson also assured me that he was inquiring into the attack on Frank Nighbor," said Mr. Rosenthal. "He did not witness the match and his referee failed to see the foul, but he is taking statements from spectators and minor officials and has promised that there will not be a repetition."
Ottawa Citizen: 3-8-1917 said:Frank Nighbor, the flashy Ottawa center, who had his face slashed in last night's game. Nighbor was again the object of attack by Canadien players.
Ottawa Citizen: 2-20-1928 said:Frank Nighbor continued his aggressive tactics and made 3 trips to the penalty pen during the game, something very unusual for this famous player, but he also served notice that he was through "taking it" without giving a receipt for every clout or bump.
--from his legendsofhockey bioBetween 1920 and 1923, the Senators won the Stanley Cup three times. Nighbor was brilliant in the 1920 Cup challenge versus the Seattle Metropolitans when he registered six goals in a hotly contested five-game series. The following season, his checking was crucial to Ottawa's successful Stanley Cup repeat in a low-scoring five-game series against the Vancouver Millionaires.
Ottawa Citizen: 3-23-1928 said:He (Hooley Smith) has not yet shown the faculty of Nighbor to rise to great occasions in "money games."
Trail of the Stanley Cup said:The outstanding star was Nighbor. He combined both offense and defense and had the Senators quite bewildered.
games 1, 2, 3 without Nighbor: 3.33 GFA, 6.33 GAA
games 4, 5 with Nighbor: 4.0 GFA, 3.5 GAA
http://wwweyesontheprize.blogspot.com/2008/08/1918-19-cup-that-almost-was.htmlWith the NHL down to two teams - not coincidently its two halves winners - a best of seven series was set to decide the league champion for 1919. The Canadiens, without Malone, would defeat the Senators four games to one. Ottawa, deprived of leading scorer Frank Nighbor for a family bereavement, were no match for Montreal.
--from King Clancy's autobiographyKing Clancy said:Frank used to be at me all the time about staying in condition. He'd say "Frankie, the way you stay in condition is never to be out of condition. Take good care of your body and it will serve you well. Try to take a little cat nap every chance you get. Then you're well rested, and by Jiminy, then you're always ready to play!"
But it was Frank Nighbor who set a mark no modern iron-man can match. He played six games without any kind of relief, and averaged a goal a game in that stretch.
Toronto World: 2-17-1913 said:Nighbor was the star of the game, and the Toronto fans would like to see a few more of his calibre. His great stick-handling and checking back are nice to see, and he plays clean hockey, as he keeps in condition and can easily keep up the pace set by any team without trying to play his check out by getting him instead of the puck. Right there lies the keynote to real hockey and until the teams in the NHA realize this they will never be able to play real hockey.
Nighbor's first practice in the next season:Ottawa Citizen: 10-31-1927 said:Frank Nighbor Appears on Skates for First Time Since Stanley Cup Final Last Spring and Makes Fine Impression
Nighbor stepped to the center of the ice for a torrid 40 minute workout, and at its conclusion he was one of the freshest of the dozen who scrambled for the puck during the workout. Nighbor weighed in within a pound of last year's finishing weight, and traveled with full speed showing the same dazzling poke-check and astute generalship that has marked him out for years as one of the brainy greats of the game.
Ottawa Citizen: 10-29-1928 said:The Pembroke star played throughout the entire 40 minutes and left the ice at the end of the practice as fresh as when he stepped out. Nighbor weighs just about the same as at the beginning of last season and is in splendid condition.
Ottawa Citizen: 10-18-1927 said:Nighbor has considerably more "foot" than is generally conceded, and when put to the test can step with the best of them, including Mr. Howie Morenz. He is a marvel of physical endurance and seems able to hop right out at top speed from his first appearance on skates.
17 years in professional hockey seem to have made little difference in Nighbor's physical condition.
--from Nighbor's legendsofhockey bioA smooth skater, he worked superbly with his wingers as a crafty and unselfish playmaker.
Ottawa Citizen: 11-12-1927 said:The deceiving skating ability of Nighbor is something that can't be discounted. He can attune himself to any degree of speed the contest calls for.
http://www.hockey-notes.com/1920_hockey_franknighbor.htmlNighbor was an effortless skater, a master at setting up smooth combination plays with his wingers.
Of How King Clancy Never Saw the Sights of Montreal
King Clancy tells an amusing story on himself. He goes a long way back in his hockey career for this particular yarn, for it concerns the days when the man who is just now making his start as a coach, was a youngster breaking in as a player with the NHL. Clancy confesses that back in 1921 he was very much the cocky kid, given to popping off at great length and annoying his veteran teammates by the length, breadth, depth and height of his wit and wisdom. Also he pictured himself as a suddenly well-to-do young man, about to see the world and its sights. "You can imagine," averred the King, "how I felt. I signed my first contract with Ottawa Senators for the fabulous salary of $1,100 for the season, which was a positive fortune to a kid who had previously been wealthy if he had had two nickels in his pocket."
So young Clancy had all these riches and the opportunity to travel. His first trip to the big city of Montreal as a member of a great pro hockey club was intended to be quite a visit, for the King was determined to get around a bit. He enlightened his teammates with great thoroughness of detail as to his plans. And there he made his big mistake.
After the King's first game here, Frank Nighbor took him in tow and suggested they return to their hotel--the Corona it was--for a bite to eat. Clancy thought it was an excellent idea, and went along willingly enough.
After they had supped, Clancy considered it was high time he set about the business of his proposed visit to some of the night spots that flourished in those days. Nighbor detained him, however, by asking what kind of quarters he had in the hotel. The famed poke-checking star intimated that frequently rookies were not as well looked after as the regulars, and he was anxious to know if young Clancy was comfortable. The King was affected by this solicitousness in his behalf by this man as great as Nighbor, and hastened to assure him that everything was perfect.
Nighbor was not satisfied, however, and insisted the King show him his room in order that he could be personally certain that nothing was lacking toward Clancy's welfare. "Nothing but the best for a swell kid like you," commented Nighbor. Clancy was more than flattered by all this consideration, and promptly led Nighbor upstairs to inspect his room.
The King inserted the key in the lock, opened the door and went in to light the light. Immediately, the door slammed behind him; he heard the key turned and removed.
"So," Clancy concluded his story, "I never did get around to seeing Montreal. For Frank Nighbor regularly escorted me from the rink to a hotel after the game, ate with me, and then took me up to my room and locked me in. Anyway, I always got a swell night's sleep when I was here." Well, King, we hope your slumbers in Montreal will be just as sound and undisturbed this winter, meaning we trust your Maroons don't give you any sleepless nights.
Vancouver Sun: 3-25-1923 said:Frank is one of Pembroke's finest baseball prospects. He plays tennis and is a crack rifle shot. Every fall he goes up into the wilds and returns with some real big game.
HHOF said:Ted "Teeder" Kennedy became a remarkable leader with an infectious combination of determination and confidence. Known as one of the game's great faceoff men and an antagonistic forechecker, Kennedy had the ability to score the important goal, to make the right check at the right time - to do all the little things that win big games and championships, which his Toronto Maple Leafs did on a regular basis.
Kennedy would win five Cups as a Maple Leaf, but individual honours for the Leafs' captain were few and far between. Three times he was selected to the NHL's Second All-Star Team, but Toronto fans and management believed he deserved more recognition in the year-end major awards.
In close games or behind a goal or two, Toronto fans knew their team had a chance if Kennedy could engineer a comeback with a timely goal or faceoff win.
Joe Pelletier said:He made up for it with his competitive zeal that would make him arguably the greatest leader in franchise history, and maybe in hockey history. He led by example, fearlessly battling some of hockey's all time greats. He could shoot and pass and stickhandle with the best of them, yet was a proud defensive player and a superior faceoff specialist.
But come game time he was totally focused, and always played every game at the highest level. For Kennedy every game was played with a level of desperation as if it were game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals. Very few players in league history can have that said about them.
Yet it wasn't his offense but his hustle that earned him the most admiration. There was no doubt this man would one day be captain of the Blue and White.
Kennedy led the Leafs to an upset victory against the Montreal Canadiens in the 1945 Stanley Cup finals. The Canadiens were a powerhouse led by the unthinkable exploits of Rocket Richard. The Habs top line of XXXXX XXXX, XXX XXXXX and Richard - who scored 50 goals in 50 games that season - finished 1-2-3 in scoring during the year and were supposed to tear Toronto apart. But a wondrous defensive effort by a line centered by Kennedy (flanked by XXX XXXXXXXX and "Sudden Death" Mel Hill) kept the feared Punch Line at bay for much of the series. In the mean time Kennedy contributed a playoff leading 7 goals to capture the silver chalice.
It was in the playoffs that Kennedy was at his best. Although he put up impressive scoring totals throughout his career, he was hockey's version of Mr. October. In 1947 the Leafs captured another Stanley Cup, thanks Kennedy's cup winning goal against Montreal. The Leafs would repeat as champions in 1948, as Kennedy scored a playoff high 8 goals and 14 points. The following season Syl Apps - to that point probably the most revered Leaf in team history - retired and Kennedy, just 22, became the youngest captain in club history. Even without Apps, Kennedy would lead the Leafs to the first ever Stanley Cup "three-peat".
Wikipedia said:He was known for his leadership, work ethic, competitiveness, playmaking, forechecking, faceoff skills and for scoring important goals. He was an exceptional playoff performer and was the first player in NHL history to win five Stanley Cups. He is the last Maple Leaf to win the Hart Trophy for most valuable player.
he compensated with determination and tireless hard work. Among modern era players his style of play has been compared to Bobby Clarke. He brought to the Leafs a classy, humble leadership and the knack for scoring goals when they were most needed. He would fight for every inch of ice and was difficult to separate from the puck. He was also known for his agility, stick-handling, playmaking, passing skills and physical toughness.
Kennedy was also widely believed to be the best faceoff man in hockey and would seldom lose an important faceoff. Kennedy would prove a perfect fit into coach Hap Day's coaching style of emphasizing defense, positional hockey and physical play.
Ultimate Hockey said:Theodore Kennedy was an exceptional play-maker, and always seemed to know where and when to set up his man. As well as being an excellent defensive center, he was thought by many sportwriters of the day to have been the best face-off man in the NHL.
Although Kennedy was not the most dominant ''skills'' player in the league, he consistently ranked near the top of the scoring race.
Who's Who in Hockey said:One of the most tenacious forechecker in modern hockey.
As a face-off man, he was peerless.
The All New Hockey's 100 said:Kennedy was not a smooth skater but his scrambling style was quite effective.
Trail of the Stanley Cup said:But beside his plodding skating style, he managed to get from point A to point B as well as any and better than most.