Bill Gadsby
Inducted:
1970
Player Stats
6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Born:
August 8, 1927
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Died:
March 10, 2016
Farmington Hills, Michigan, U.S.
Position:
Defence
College:
NA
William Alexander "Bill" Gadsby was one of the most resilient and offensive-minded defensemen of the NHL’s Original Six era. Over a distinguished 20-season career with the Chicago Black Hawks, New York Rangers, and Detroit Red Wings, Gadsby redefined the role of a blueliner by becoming the first defenseman in NHL history to reach 500 career points. Known for his thunderous open-ice hits and remarkable toughness, he survived a U-boat torpedo attack as a child and later overcame a bout with polio to return to professional play.
Despite being a seven-time All-Star and a perennial Norris Trophy contender, Gadsby is often remembered as one of the greatest players to never win a Stanley Cup, having reached the Finals three times with Detroit. His longevity and leadership were legendary; at the time of his retirement in 1966, he trailed only Gordie Howe in career games played. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1970.
Gadsby's Awards and Record:
- 3x NHL First All-Star Team (1956, 1958, 1959)
- 4x NHL Second All-Star Team (1953, 1954, 1957, 1965)
- 8x NHL All-Star Game appearance
- Named to the "100 Greatest NHL Players" (The Hockey News, 1998)
- Finalist for the Norris Trophy (Best Defenseman) multiple times
NHL Records:
- First Defenseman in NHL history to record 500 career points
- Set a then-NHL record for most assists by a defenseman in a single season (46 in 1958–59)
- One of the few players to play over 300 games for three different franchises
NHL Teams
Chicago Black Hawks (1946-1955)
New York Rangers (1955-1961)
Detroit Red Wings (1961-1966)
Number Worn:
4
NHL Stats
Season Played:
1946-1966
Games Played:
1,248
Goals:
130
Assists:
438
Points:
568
Penalty Minutes:
1,539
Playoff Game:
67
Playoff Points:
27 (G-4,A-23)