NHL Legend Dies at 93
Detroit Red Wings great and Hall of Famer Ted Lindsay has died at 93.
“I played it to win. And there were no friends on the ice, they were all enemies.” — Ted Lindsay https://t.co/BdQaTkTknS
— Local 4 WDIV Detroit (@Local4News) March 4, 2019
His death was confirmed Monday by son-in-law Lew LaPaugh, president of the Ted Lindsay Foundation, which raises money for autism research.
Lindsay died Monday at his home in Michigan.
Lindsay was a nine-time All-Star and one of the game’s best left wings.
He provided muscle and meanness for the Red Wings’ “Production Line” of the 1950s. One of the most prolific scoring lines in NHL history, the “Production Line” included Gordie Howe at the right wing and Sid Abel at center.
Lindsay also worked with other NHL players to organize the original Players’ Association.
The Hockey Hall of Fame actually waived its three-year waiting period when it inducted Lindsay in 1966.
Nine years earlier, he had been elected president of the players’ union.
One of the more fun things that Lindsay has been credited with is with starting the tradition in which the championship team skates around the ice with the Stanley Cup.
Ted Lindsay created the tradition of skating around the rink with the Stanley Cup.
nhlAfter the Red Wings won in 1950, he “took it to” the fans at Olympia Stadium. pic.twitter.com/GdfYvYFqef
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) March 4, 2019
Lindsay hoisted the Stanley Cup on four separate occasions in 1950, 1952, 1954 and 1955.
Stories and memories of Lindsay poured in on social media following the news of his death.
Interviewing Ted Lindsay once, I mentioned Jean Beliveau. Ted stood up, out of camera frame. When I asked why, he said he always stands up when he hears Jean’s name, out of respect.
— Michael Farber (@MichaelFarber3) March 4, 2019
Ted Lindsay has passed at 93. Outstanding player, NHLPA founder but my fav memory was how he boycotted his own HHoF in ’66 induction because wives and families were not allowed to attend. The rule changed after that. RIP.
— Jeff Marek (@JeffMarek) March 4, 2019
“Don’t ask me why I did it [forming the players union]. The Lord didn’t come down and say, ‘Ted, you’re one of the better players in hockey today. Somebody like you has to do this.’ I just wanted to give us a voice. We had no voice.”–Ted Lindsay pic.twitter.com/8ymVcOy3dQ
— Jen (@NHLhistorygirl) March 4, 2019
In 2010, the NHL Players’ Association renamed its version of the Most Valuable Player award after Lindsay.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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