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Bee Hive player
profile 
(Apr.15,
2001)
Phil
Esposito -
Born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario 
in 1942, he is the older brother of Tony Esposito. "Espo" was
a poor skater but he possessed great strength and heart. He is one of
hockey's all-time greatest centres, playing 18 NHL seasons with the
Blackhawks 
(1963-67), Bruins  (1967-75)
and Rangers 
(1975-81). Had his most productive season in 1970-71 with Boston,
smashing NHL records with 76 goals and 152 points.
He was named 6
straight times to the NHL 1st All-Star Team (1969-74) and twice to the
2nd Team (1968, 75). He grabbed 5 Art Ross Trophies with his scoring
titles (1969, 71-74) and was twice a Hart Trophy winner for being the
most valuable player (1968, 74). Won 2 Stanley Cups with Boston (1970,
72) and played in 10 NHL All-Star Games (1969-75, 77, 78, 80). Twice he
won the Lester B. Pearson Award (1971, 74) for being the NHL's
outstanding player as voted by his peers.
Phil was the first player ever
to score 100 points in a season and he led the league in goal scoring
six times. He set new records for scoring that lasted until Wayne
Gretzky came along.
Espo's greatest hockey moment was during the 1972
Summit Series  .
His heroics were a key in Canada's razor-thin defeat of the Soviets.
After his playing days, he was general manager of the Rangers (1986-89)
and Tampa Bay (1992-98) and worked for Fox Sports and other
broadcasters. Phil was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame 
in 1984.
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Phil Esposito
scored 717 goals
and 1,590 points
in 1,282 NHL games
from 1963 to 1981
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Bee Hive player
profile 
(Apr.10, 2001)
Les
Costello -
Born in South Porcupine, Ontario
in 1928. Murray Costello is his younger brother. This speedy left-winger
played parts of 3 NHL seasons with the Maple Leafs 
(1948-50). He was with Toronto in 1948 when they won the Stanley Cup and
consequently played in the 1948 NHL All-Star Game.
After his retirement
from the NHL, he enrolled in the University of Toronto and received his
B.A. He also began studies at St. Augustine's seminary school and was
ordained as a Catholic priest in 1957. Around 1962, Father Les Costello
helped in organizing a group of hockey-playing priests known as the
Flying Fathers. He continued to play hockey with them for another 17
years. This world renowned team would play charity games against
amateurs and NHL old-timers and they raised millions of dollars in the
process. In 1970 the team earned an audience with Pope Paul VI at the
Vatican.
In 1979 he suffered a tragic mishap when he got lost for 28
hours while camping and ended up losing seven toes due to frost bite.
His playing days were greatly diminished after this. Sadly, Father Les
died in 2002 after he fell and hit his head on the ice during the
warm-up of one of their matches. He was knocked unconscious and died
comatose a few days later.
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Les Costello
scored 2 goals
and 5 points
in 15 NHL games
from 1948 to 1950
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Bee Hive player
profile 
(Apr.2, 2001)
Pete
Morin -
Born in Lachine, Quebec
in 1915. Only 5-foot-6 in height, this nifty stick-handling left-winger
played just 1 NHL season with the Canadiens 
(1941-42). He was mainly a star performer with the Canadiens minor
league team, the Montreal Royals (QSHL) for 14 seasons. Pete retired in
1950 as one of the city's most popular athletes.
In addition to his NHL
career, Pete held several Canadian rowing titles achieved with the
Lachine Racing Canoe Club. After hockey, he worked as an insurance
broker for 40-plus years. Died in 2000.
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Pete Morin
scored 10 goals
and 22 points
in 31 NHL games
from 1941 to 1942
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Bee Hive player
profile 
(Mar.26,
2001)
Lou
Fontinato -
Born in Guelph, Ontario
in 1932. Lou was a big, physical defenseman who played 9 NHL seasons
with the Rangers
(1954-61) and Canadiens (1961-63).
Known as "Leapin' Lou", he was the first player ever to
receive more than 200 penalty minutes in a season. Three times he led
the league in time spent in the penalty box.
On February 1, 1959 he was
involved in one of the most famous and bloody fights in NHL history.
While tangling with legend Gordie Howe, Lou suffered a severely broken
nose and ended up in the hospital due to Howe's punishment (this had
been Howe's first fight in 9 years).
Lou had his most productive season
with New York in 1955-56, registering 18 points and leading the NHL in
penalty minutes (202). Unfortunately, he suffered a horrific and
career-ending neck injury during a game on March 9, 1963 and never
played again. He was completely paralyzed for two weeks but slowly
recovered and retired to a 265-acre cattle farm which he had previously
invested in.
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Lou Fontinato
recorded 104
points,
1,247 penalty
minutes
in 535 NHL games
from 1954 to 1963
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Bee Hive player
profile 
(Mar.19,
2001)
Doug
Barkley -
Born in Lethbridge, Alberta
in 1937. Doug was a big and physical defenseman who played 6 NHL seasons
with the Blackhawks
(1957-60) and Red Wings  (1962-66).
Finished a close 2nd in Calder Trophy (rookie) voting in 1962-63 to Kent
Douglas while playing in his first full season at the age of 25. Had his
most productive season with Detroit in 1963-64, scoring 11 goals and 32
points.
Just when the 29 year-old defenseman was in the prime of his
career, tragedy struck when Doug suffered a career-ending eye injury
during a game on January 30, 1966. An errant high stick from Chicago's
Doug Mohns had hit Barkley in the right eye and he lost its vision.
After the accident, he briefly worked in public relations with Detroit.
Doug also coached the Red Wings on two different occasions (1970-71,
1975). He became a scout for Detroit and later was the radio voice of
the Calgary Flames.
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Doug Barkley
recorded 104
points,
382 penalty minutes
in 253 NHL games
from 1957 to 1966
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Bee Hive player
profile 
(Mar.12,
2001)
Ted
"Teeder" Kennedy -
Born in Humberstone, Ontario
in 1925. Teeder was a poor skater, but his hard work ethic and
competitive spirit made him one of the most outstanding centres and
leaders in NHL history. Originally signed by the Canadiens, he was
traded to Toronto early on. He played all of his 14 seasons with the
Maple Leafs
(1943-57) and succeeded Syl Apps as team captain in 1948.
Had his most
productive season in 1950-51, scoring 61 points and finishing 1st in the
NHL in assists (43). Three times he was named to the NHL's 2nd All-Star
Team (1950, 51, 54) and won the Hart Trophy (1955) for being the leagues
Most Valuable Player. Won 5 Stanley Cups with Toronto (1945, 47-49, 51)
and participated in 6 NHL All-Star Games (1947-51, 54). Five times he
scored 20 or more goals in a season.
Hockey fans will fondly remember
hearing the shouts of NHL fan John Arnott as he screamed out, "Come
on, Teeder!" from the rafters of Maple Leafs Gardens. In 1953,
Teeder was awarded the inaugural J.P. Bickell Trophy for his
contributions to the Leafs. He is also remembered as one of the greatest
face-off men in the games history.
Teeder became involved with horse
racing after retiring and operated Fort Erie racetrack in Ontario for
awhile. His number-9 was honoured by the Leafs in 1993. Teeder was
inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame
in 1966.
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Ted "Teeder"
Kennedy
scored 231
goals
and 560 points
in 696 NHL games
from 1943 to 1957
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Bee Hive player
profile 
(Mar.5, 2001)
Johnny
Gottselig -
Born in Odessa, Russia 
in 1905, but raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He was the first Russian born
player to play in the NHL. Johnny patrolled the left-wing and had a
reputation as a nifty skater and slick stick-handler. Played all of his
16 NHL seasons with the Black Hawks
(1928-44) and coached them for another three and a half years (1944-48).
Five times he led the Hawks in goals and 11 times led them in points.
Had his most productive season in 1938-39 scoring 39 points and
finishing 8th in NHL scoring. He was named to the NHL 2nd All-Star team
in 1939 and participated in 2 NHL All-Star Games (1937, 39). Won 2
Stanley Cups with Chicago (1934, 38) being a key player during both
championship runs.
He retired one game into the 1944-45 season to take
over as Chicago coach. Afterwards, Johnny served as Chicago's director
of publicity for several years and as an analyst on Black Hawks radio
broadcasts. Later he became an executive with a concrete pipe
manufacturer (Stone Construction). Passed away in 1986.
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Johnny Gottselig
scored 176 goals
and 371 points
in 589 NHL games
from 1928 to 1944
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Bee Hive player
profile 
(Feb.26,
2001)
Bronco
Horvath -
Born in Port Colborne, Ontario
in 1930, Bronco proved to be a gifted centre. He played 9 seasons in the
NHL with the Rangers
(1955-56, 1962-63), Canadiens (1956-57),
Bruins (1957-61),
Blackhawks
(1961-62), Maple Leafs
(1963) and North Stars 
(1967-68).
With Boston he formed part of the famous "Uke Line"
playing between John Bucyk and Vic Stasiuk. Had his most productive
season in 1959-60 with Boston, scoring 39 goals and 41 assists for 80
points (2nd overall) and tying Bobby Hull for the goal scoring title. He
was named to the NHL's 2nd All-Star Team in 1960 and participated in 2
NHL All-Star Games (1960, 61).
After his hockey career was over Bronco
coached some junior hockey, then retired to South Yermouth,
Massachusetts and started a successful dry cleaning business.
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Bronco Horvath
scored 141
goals
and 326 points in
in 434 NHL games
from 1955 to 1968
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Bee Hive player
profile 
(Feb.19,
2001)
Jim
Neilson -
Born in Big River, Saskatchewan
in 1940. His mother was Cree and his father was Danish.
"Chief" was known as a hard-hitting defenseman and a gentleman
on the ice, never receiving more than 95 penalty minutes during any
season. Played 16 seasons in the NHL with the Rangers
(1962-74), Golden Seals  (1974-76)
and Barons  (1976-78)
and also played 1 season in the WHA with Wayne Gretzky's Oilers 
(1978-79).
Had his most productive season in 1968-69 with New York,
scoring 10 goals and 34 assists for 44 points. In 1968 he was named to
the NHL's 2nd All-Star Team. Jim also participated in 2 NHL All-Star
Games (1967, 71). He worked briefly as a scout for the Oilers after his
career ended, and was part owner of a golf course in California.
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Jim Neilson
scored 373
points,
922 penalty minutes in
1,058 NHL/WHA games
from 1962 to 1979
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Bee Hive player
profile 
(Feb.12,
2001)
Ralph
Backstrom -
Born in Kirkland Lake, Ontario
in 1937. Ralph was a solid two-way centre and an excellent skater.
Played 17 seasons in the NHL with the Canadiens
(1956-70), Kings  (1970-73)
and Blackhawks (1973)
and also played 4 seasons in the WHA with the Cougars 
(1973-75), Spurs 
(1975-76) and Whalers 
(1975-77).
Won the Calder Trophy in 1959 as the NHL's top rookie. Had
his most productive season in 1961-62 with Montreal, scoring 27 goals
and 38 assists for 65 points. Won 6 Stanley Cups, all with Montreal
(1959, 60, 65, 66, 68, 69) and participated in 6 NHL All-Star Games
(1958-60, 62, 65, 67).
In 1970, Ralph was traded by Sam Pollock to the
Kings in the hope that he would help Los Angeles finish ahead of Oakland
in the year-end standings. Montreal owned Oakland's first draft pick
from a prior transaction and wanted badly to draft Guy Lafleur number
one. This in fact happened and Montreal claimed their prized flower. In
1974 Ralph won the WHA's Paul Daneau Trophy for being the most
gentlemanly player.
After his playing days, he served as a coach with
the University of Denver and in the IHL with the Phoenix Roadrunners.
Lately, he has been a special assignment coach for the St. Louis Blues
and co-owner of a CHL team in Colorado.
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Ralph Backstrom
scored 378
goals
and 892 points in
1,336 NHL/WHA games
from 1956 to 1977
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updated: 18-Jan-2004
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