Ross Wilson (ice hockey)
Ross Ingram "Lefty" Wilson (October 15, 1919 – November 4, 2002) was a Canadian ice hockey player. He served as an emergency goaltender on three separate occasions between 1953 and 1957, playing one game with each of the Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Boston Bruins.
| Ross Wilson | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Born |
October 15, 1919 Toronto, Ontario, Canada | ||
| Died |
November 4, 2002 (aged 83) Naples, Florida, United States | ||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) | ||
| Weight | 178 lb (81 kg; 12 st 10 lb) | ||
| Position | Goaltender | ||
| Caught | Left | ||
| Played for |
Boston Bruins Toronto Maple Leafs Detroit Red Wings | ||
| Playing career |
1944–1950 1953 1956 1957 | ||
Biography
Wilson was a trainer for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League from 1950–1982. He won four Stanley Cup championships with Detroit, in 1950, 1952, 1954 and 1955. He was one of the early pioneers of the goaltender's protective mask, making the iconic mask that Terry Sawchuk wore, among many others.
Wilson, who played goal in Junior A, the American Hockey League, and in senior leagues, served as an emergency backup goaltender for the Red Wings and for visiting teams, which was customary among NHL trainers in the days before designated backup goaltenders. On October 10, 1953 Wilson suited up for the Red Wings in relief for an injured Sawchuk, in a losing effort, playing 16 minutes. On January 22, 1956 Wilson played for the Maple Leafs, replacing an injured Harry Lumley in another loss, playing 13 minutes and stopping 9 shots. On December 29, 1957 Wilson played for Boston, replacing an injured Don Simmons in a game that ended in a 2-2 tie, playing 52 minutes, allowing a goal, and making 23 saves.
Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | W | L | T | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | GP | W | L | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | ||
| 1937–38 | Toronto Lions | OHA | 11 | — | — | — | 660 | 72 | 0 | 6.55 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1944–45 | Toronto Navy | TIHL | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 430 | 33 | 0 | 4.60 | — | 7 | 4 | 3 | 420 | 47 | 0 | 6.71 | — | ||
| 1944–45 | Toronto Uptown Tires | TMHL | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 480 | 41 | 0 | 5.13 | — | 1 | 0 | 1 | 60 | 7 | 0 | 7.00 | — | ||
| 1945–46 | Omaha Knights | USHL | 3 | — | — | — | 180 | 15 | 0 | 4.99 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1945–46 | St. Paul Saints | USHL | 1 | — | — | — | 60 | 4 | 0 | 4.00 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1947–48 | Indianapolis Capitals | AHL | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 80 | 7 | 0 | 5.25 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1948–49 | Indianapolis Capitals | AHL | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 80 | 4 | 0 | 3.00 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1949–50 | Indianapolis Capitals | AHL | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 180 | 12 | 0 | 4.00 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1953–54 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1955–56 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 1.000 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1957–58 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 52 | 1 | 0 | 1.16 | .958 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 81 | 1 | 0 | 0.74 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||
External links
- Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or The Internet Hockey Database