Gump Worsley

Lorne John 'Gump' Worsley (born May 14, 1929 in Montreal, Quebec) is a former professional ice hockey player. Although in 1953 he won the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year in the National Hockey League, after asking for a $500.00 a year increase in pay, he was promptly returned to the minor leagues for the next year. He later again became the goaltender for the New York Rangers in 1954, beating out a then career minor leaguer named Johnny Bower for the position. Wearing the traditional number 1 for goaltenders, he toiled for the Rangers until involvement in a proposed players union likely caused him to be traded to the Montreal Canadiens in 1963. He won four Stanley Cups with the Canadiens in 1965, 1966, 1968 and 1969, and officially retired in 1969. Lured out of retirement because of the continued shortage of quality players in the National Hockey League, which had expanded in 1967, Gump played for the Minnesota North Stars for four more years, retiring at the age of 44.

Related Topics:
May 14 - 1929 - Montreal, Quebec - Ice hockey - 1953 - Calder Memorial Trophy - National Hockey League - Goaltender - New York Rangers - 1954 - Johnny Bower - Montreal Canadiens - 1963 - Stanley Cup - 1965 - 1966 - 1968 - 1969 - 1967 - Minnesota North Stars

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He had 43 shutouts in his career and an overall goals against average of less than 3.00.

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He also shared the Vezina Trophy for the lowest average goals per game in 1966 when he was on the NHL second All-Star team and in 1968 when he was the first All-Star team goaltender. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1980.

Related Topics:
Vezina Trophy - 1966 - 1968 - Hockey Hall of Fame - 1980

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It was well known that Worsley had a fear of flying (early in his career this was not a problem since the original six teams were close enough to travel by train.) He was also one of the last maskless goaltenders to play in the National Hockey League.

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Gump was known for his sense of humour. Early in his career, he was asked 'Which team gives you the most trouble?' He replied, 'The New York Rangers.'

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Lorne is retired now, living in Beloeil, outside of Montreal, Quebec.

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