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About Ted Lindsay

Ted Lindsay arrived to the NHL wars in 1944 with a single-minded goal. “I had the idea that I should beat up every player I tangled with, and nothing ever convinced me it wasn't a good idea,” explained the man who became known as Terrible Ted during his days with the Detroit Red Wings.

A left-winger, Lindsay stood only 5-foot-8 and weighed 163 pounds, but every ounce of that frame oozed competitiveness. “Lindsay would not give an inch, regardless of what size anyone was,” teammate Marcel Pronovost said.

Ten times, Lindsay led the Red Wings in penalty minutes, including a 173-minute effort in 1964-65, when he ended a four-year retirement to suit up for Detroit at the age of 39. Lindsay was NHL scoring champ in 1949-50 and the loop’s penalty-minute leader in 1958-59. He and fellow Hall of Famer Nels Stewart are the only NHL players to turn this unique double.

The Wings scooped Lindsay up from the Toronto St. Michael’s junior club, an affiliate of the rival Maple Leafs, who felt he wasn't a strong enough skater to make it as an NHLer. He quickly proved otherwise and in 1947-48, led the NHL with 33 goals. Moving to the left side with Sid Abel and Gordie Howe on Detroit’s famed Production Line, Lindsay became the league’s best left-winger. Eight times, he was picked to the NHL’s First All-Star Team. He captained Detroit to consecutive Stanley Cups in 1953-54 and 1954-55 and began a playoff tradition following that 1955 triumph, lifting the Cup over his head and leading a victory lap around the ice. “Everyone’s emotions were on high and I guess mine were a little higher,” Lindsay said. “It was an impulsive sort of thing.”