Born December 29, 1902, in Montreal, Quebec, was Hockey Hall of Fame Center Nels Stewart. As he was known, Old Poison was a two-time Hart Memorial Trophy winner. Stewart skated on the Stanley Cup Champion Montreal Maroons in 1926 and remained on their roster through the 1931 season. Nels later suited up for the Boston Bruins and New York Americans to finish his 16 seasons in the NHL.
Sports History
Nels Stewart - Early NHL HOF Scoring LeaderThe Old Poisonous Goal Machine
His career saw him don the jerseys of the Montreal Maroons, Boston Bruins, and New York Americans, leaving a trail of goals wherever he went. He led the league in scoring once, in 1926, and even boasted the NHL's fastest two-goal record (four seconds apart!) for decades.
But Stewart's legacy transcended mere statistics. He was a cerebral player, mastering the art of deception. His stickhandling was legendary, leaving defenders grasping at air as he wove through the ice like a phantom. Though not the hardest, his slap shot was pinpoint accurate, finding the net with uncanny precision.
He wasn't afraid to get rough, earning penalties with regularity. But even his temper served him well, fueling his intensity and drive. This duality earned him the nickname "Old Poison," a testament to his potent mix of skill and bite.
Stewart's crowning achievement came in 1937 when he surpassed Howie Morenz as the NHL's all-time leading scorer. This record stood for 15 years, a testament to his longevity and consistency. He even won the prestigious Hart Trophy twice, solidifying his status as one of the game's early greats.
While injuries and age eventually slowed him down, Stewart's impact on hockey's history is undeniable. He pioneered offensive creativity, was a relentless competitor, and was a legend loved for his unorthodox brilliance. So, the next time you see a skilled player weave through defenders and bury a well-placed shot, remember "Old Poison," who proved that finesse and fury could be a potent cocktail on the ice.
May 14 Numbers
Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. 3 - 37 - 7 May 14, 1913 - Washington Senator pitcher Walter Johnson, had his amazing MLB record of scoreless innings str...
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Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. 22 - 21 May 13, 1942 - Who says pitchers can't hit? Boston Braves Pitcher, Number 22, Jim Tobin smacked 3 ball...
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May 12 Numbers
Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. 27 - 17 - 14 May 12, 1910 - Ace pitcher and future Hall of Fame player of the Philadelphia Athletics, Charles Bender thr...
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May 11 Numbers
Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. May 11, 1897 - Washington Senators catcher Charles Duke Farrell threw out 8 Baltimore runners that attempted to steal a b...
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Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. 5 - 44 - 4 - 7 - 6 - 8 - 23 - 44 - 15 - 9 May 10, 1946 - Joe DiMaggio hit a Grand Slam to provide all of the offense for the ...
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Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. 4 - 5 -19 May 9, 1901 - Cleveland Blue's rookie pitcher, Earl Moore threw a no-hit ballgame for a full nine innings...
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