A Tip of the Cap

After meeting this gentleman on the weekend, there was one thought that echoed loud and clear. Has another player given so much back to the game?

Decked out in his Hockey Hall of Fame blazer, Ted Lindsay is a terrific ambassador for hockey. Greeting each individual, he took his time answering questions in a detailed manner.

As noted above, Lindsay's boss in 1944, Jack Adams, certainly knew he had added a gem to his line-up. In return, Ted Lindsay didn't let Adams faith in him go unrewarded. In his rookie season,  Lindsay produced 23 points (G-17, A-6) in 45 games. A star junior player with the St. Michael's Majors, he played on loan to the Oshawa Generals, in the Memorial Cup prior to turning pro.

Ted Lindsay's gift to future generations of NHL players is documented in the David Cruise and Alison Griffiths book Net Worth. The battle to form a players association was a cause near and dear to Lindsay's heart. One chapter in the book, Lindsay's Dream, tells it all. His record of giving back to the game was recognized by the hockey establishment with the renaming of the Lester B. Pearson Award (most outstanding player in the NHL as voted by fellow members of the NHLPA). As Lindsay stated on the weekend "It is an honour to be recognized for playing the game I love".

Well said Mr. Lindsay.