TERRY SAWCHUK

Yesterday, legendary goalie, Terry Sawchuk, would've turned 90 years of age. He passed away in 1970.

The late Bob Goldham had nothing but good things to say about his former teammate on the Detroit Red Wings. Goldham, talking about the goalies he played with, said of Sawchuk, "He was the ultimate of them all." Goldham further stated, "He should be the yardstick for all goaltenders to be measured by, a great competitor and a great talent. He was the best."

Sawchuk played in 7 games with the Wings in 1949-50. His first full season between the pipes in the Motor City came the following year. Bob Goldham came via a trade with Chicago on July 13, 1950.

Together, Sawchuk and Goldham, worked as a goaltending tandem on the ice. During his career, Goldham was known as hockey's "second goalie." As Sawchuk said of his defenceman, "Goldham is a real master of dropping to his knees to take those long shots head on." Also, Sawchuk praised Goldham for his ability to sprawl on the ice to take away dangerous passes.

In the picture below, Goldham, wearing sweater number 2, is seen taking away a scoring chance by the Montreal Canadiens. Sawchuk looks on as Goldham works his magic.

Sawchuk, a 4-time Stanley Cup champion, did it all during his NHL career and was recognized for his brilliant work; First Team All-Star (3); Second Team All-Star (4); Calder Trophy (Top rookie 1951); Vezina Trophy (4, one shared with Johnny Bower); Lester Patrick Trophy (Service to hockey in the U.S.)

His greatest performance came in the 1952 Stanley Cup final. In Detroit's sweep, Sawchuk won all eight games and recorded 4 shutouts. His average was 0.63. His distinctive crouch enabled him to keep low to the ice, but still in position to handle high shots.

The final interview with Terry Sawchuk was conducted by Shirley Fischler. It appeared in the May 23, 1970, edition of the Toronto Daily Star.

Confined to a Long Island hospital, Sawchuk was recovering from "two rounds of surgery, one for removal of his gall bladder," wrote Fischler. His injuries were allegedly suffered in an off-season dust-up with a New York Ranger teammate.

During their conversation, Sawchuk told Fischler, "I'm retired, man. Look at me. I can never come back from this. It would take more than a year to get into any kind of shape." Fischler described Sawchuk's appearance like this, "His face pale and sunken, so much so that the map of scars had almost disappeared and, amazingly, he looked younger ..."

In foreboding statement, Sawchuk told Fischler, "I really didn't think I was going to make it for a while. And it was so bad that I didn't really care. They still don't know if I'll be okay. I'm full of tubes and my back bothers me."

The greatest goalie of all-time passed away on May 31, 1970.