Gump Worsley

Named to play in the 25th National Hockey League All-Star Game, Worsley was the second goaltender to have won 300 games and lost 300 games, after Harry Lumley.

This feat was later accomplished by several other goaltenders.

Worsley was known for his wry sense of humour and various eccentricities.

Early in his career with the Rangers, regularly facing 40–50 shots a night, he was asked: "Which team gives you the most trouble?"

His reply – "The New York Rangers."

Accused by Rangers' coach Phil Watson of having a beer belly, he replied, "Just goes to show you what he knows. I only drink Johnnie Walker Red."

Worsley was vehemently opposed to wearing a mask.

He was the second-to-last professional hockey goaltender to play without a mask.

Andy Brown of the Indianapolis Racers was the last, the following season—wearing a mask in the last six games of his career.

Asked about why he chose to go without, Worsley told reporters: "My face is my mask."

Worsley was also well known for his fear of flying.

Lorne John "Gump" Worsley (May 14, 1929 – January 26, 2007) was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender.

Born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, 'Gump' was given his nickname because friends thought he looked like comic-strip character Andy Gump.

At the outset of his career, Worsley played four years in the minor leagues, most notably for the New York Rovers of the Eastern Hockey League (EHL), the St. Paul Saints of the United States Hockey League (USHL), and the Saskatoon Quakers of the Western Hockey League (WHL).

In 1948 he was a member of the Montreal youth all-star team.

As a promising young player, he soon attracted attention; the following year he moved up to McMasterville in the Montreal League.

For three straight seasons between 1950 and 1952, he garnered First Team All-Star and leading goaltender recognition.

There he was selected to play in a trial game from which the Montreal all-stars were chosen to play the touring English club Fulham FC on 29th May 1951 (the game was drawn 2-2).

In the fall of 1952 he was signed by the New York Rangers of the NHL; though playing for a last-place team, won the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year.

However, after asking for a $500 a year pay increase, he was promptly returned to the minor leagues the following season.

In the summer of 1952, while playing hockey for the Saskatoon Quakers, he played centre forward for the Saskatoon All-stars against the touring Tottenham Hotspur from England.

In 1954, playing for the Vancouver Canucks of the WHL, he won the league's most valuable player award.

Later in 1954, Worsley resumed as the Rangers starting goaltender, beating out future NHL star Johnny Bower.

Wearing the traditional number 1 for goaltenders, he toiled for the Rangers for the next nine seasons, generally playing well for poor-performing teams.

Worsley made 43 saves in the 1955–56 New York Rangers season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks, setting a franchise record.

In the summer of 1963, he became involved in a proposed players' union, and was promptly traded to the Montreal Canadiens.

While he was relegated to the minor-league Quebec Aces for parts of two seasons—and characteristically winning First Team All-Star honors in the AHL in 1964—Worsley played his best years for the Canadiens as a member of four Stanley Cup-winning teams: 1965, 1966, 1968 and 1969.

His best season was 1968, where he followed up a Vezina-winning performance and a career-low 1.98 goals-against average by going undefeated in the playoffs with eleven straight wins.

On November 25, 1968, en route to Los Angeles, he suffered a nervous breakdown after a rough flight from Montreal's Dorval Airport to Chicago.

It has been reported that a stewardess upon landing came over the PA system and said that if passengers wished to claim refunds for drycleaning they should submit receipts.

Gump apparently quipped "Does that include underwear?"

Subsequently, he received psychiatric treatment and missed action.

It is said upon emerging from retirement to play for the North Stars he was assured, as Minnesota was in the central part of the continent, the team traveled less than any other in the league.

Worsley was an excellent soccer player, beginning his career as a junior with Westmount.

However, he soon had a dispute with general manager Sam Pollock over being demoted to the minors; the decision by head coach Claude Ruel to favor Rogatien Vachon (who like Worsley was also a future Hall of Fame goaltender) over Worsley made him quit in the midst of the 1969–70 season.

Pollock suggested Worsley accept a two week conditioning stint to work his way back to the Canadiens, but the veteran net minder refused.

Worsley was suspended for not reporting to the Canadiens' Montreal Voyageurs farm team and told Pollock he intended to retire.

However, later in the season, Minnesota North Stars expressed interest in Worsley to play in tandem with Cesare Maniago.

His best season with the North Stars was 1972, where he was second in the league with a 2.12 goals-against average.

The Canadiens traded the veteran goaltender for future considerations and he starred for parts of five more years, retiring at the age of 44 after the 1973–74 season.