Hughie Lehman
Hughie Lehman | |||
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Hockey Hall of Fame, 1958 | |||
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Lehman in 1912 with the
New Westminster Royals.
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Born | (1885-10-27)October 27, 1885 Pembroke, Ontario, Canada |
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Died | April 12, 1961(1961-04-12) (aged 75) Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
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Height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) | ||
Weight | 168 lb (76 kg; 12 st 0 lb) | ||
Position | Goaltender | ||
Caught | Left | ||
Played for | Sault Ste. Marie Marlboros (IPHL) Berlin Dutchmen (OPHL) Galt Professionals (OPHL) New Westminster Royals (PCHA) Vancouver Millionaires (PCHA/WCHL/WHL) Chicago Black Hawks (NHL) |
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Playing career | 1908β1928 |

Frederick Hugh "Old Eagle Eyes" Lehman (October 27, 1885 β April 12, 1961) was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. He started his ice hockey career playing for the Pembroke Lumber Kings and the Berlin Dutchmen. In 1911, Lehman joined the New Westminster Royals, playing for the Royals for three seasons, before joining the Vancouver Millionaires in 1914. Lehman played half of his 22-year professional career with Vancouver, winning his only Stanley Cup; he would be unsuccessful in seven other attempts. In 1926, he joined the Chicago Black Hawks of the National Hockey League (NHL), playing a full season and splitting the second one as player and head coach. Although some ice hockey historians credit Jacques Plante for originating the practice, Lehman was the first goaltender to regularly pass the puck to his fellow forwards and defensemen; he even scored a goal by shooting the puck in the opponent's net while playing for the Professionals. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1958.
Playing career
Lehman began his playing career in 1903β04, playing for the Pembroke Lumber Kings of the Ottawa Valley Hockey League (OVHL) for the first three seasons of his career. In the 1906β07 season, Lehman was signed as a free agent by the Canadian Soo of the International Professional Hockey League (IPHL); the IPHL was the first fully professional ice hockey league. Lehman returned to Pembroke for the 1907β08 season, appearing in four games. For the 1908β09 season, Lehman joined the Berlin Dutchmen of the Ontario Professional Hockey League (OPHL). In the 1909β10 season, Lehman was in two different Stanley Cup playoff series, with two different teams, the Berlin Dutchmen and the Galt Professionals, but he lost both times. During those playoff series, he appeared in three games, giving up 22 goals. Lehman played with the Berlin Dutchmen until 1911.[1]
In 1911β12, Lehman played for the New Westminster Royals of the newly founded Pacific Coast Hockey Association (PCHA). He played three seasons for New Westminster, winning the league championship in his first season. In 1914β15, Lehman joined the Vancouver Millionaires of the PCHA. In his first season with the Millionaires, Lehman posted a 14β3 record, with a 4.08 goals-against average, which was a very good average in an era when goaltenders were not allowed to drop on their knees to make a save. In the Stanley Cup playoffs, Lehman helped the Millionaires become the first PCHA team to win the Stanley Cup, with a 3β0 record and 2.67 goals against average. This would be the only Stanley Cup victory of Lehman's career, as he was on the losing side in seven other attempts. The Millionaires squad consisted of seven future members of the Hockey Hall of Fame when they won the Cup: Lehman, Frank Nighbor, Cyclone Taylor, Si Griffis, Barney Stanley, Frank Patrick, and Mickey MacKay.[1][2]
Lehman played with the Millionaires until the 1925β26 season. During that time, Lehman and some of his teammates were involved in a humorous incident when going back to Canada after an exhibition game against the Montreal Wanderers in New York City. In New York, Lehman's wife bought numerous women's designer outfits, after being treated to a shopping spree by him. When going back to Canada, Lehman, on the advice of Cyclone Taylor, who was both a professional ice hockey player and a Canadian immigration officer, split up all outfits among his teammates to avoid paying additional taxes he would have had to pay if he had brought all the clothing by himself at once; this puzzled the Customs officers.[2] In 1922β23, the Millionaires were renamed the Maroons, and joined the Western Canada Hockey League (WCHL). The WCHL was renamed to the Western Hockey League in 1925β26; however, the league disbanded at the conclusion of that season. While playing for the Millionaires, Lehman appeared in six Stanley Cup finals, losing every time, except in his first season, in 1914β15.[1]
Following the collapse of the WHL, Lehman joined the Chicago Black Hawks for the 1926β27 season. While in Chicago, Lehman mentored future Chicago goaltender and captain Charlie Gardiner.[3] Lehman played one full season, and another four games the next one.[1] During the 1926 season, Lehman became the oldest goaltender to win his first NHL game at 41 years 21 days.[4] This record was broken on February 22, 2020 by David Ayres who at 42 years, 194 days came into a game as an emergency backup goaltender for the Carolina Hurricanes against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena in the 2nd period and won the game 6-3.
Coaching career
During the 1927β28 season, Black Hawks owner and manager Frederic McLaughlin was sketching some plays for his team; after Lehman was shown the plays by McLaughlin, Lehman responded by calling it "the craziest bunch of junk [he's] ever seen".[2] Expecting to be fired after that outburst, Lehman was later told to go to McLaughlin's office. It was how Lehman's playing career ended: McLaughlin appointed Lehman to be Chicago's new head coach.[2] Lehman coached Chicago for part of one season, finishing with a 3β17β1 record over 21 games.[5] He was replaced by Herb Gardiner the following season.
Playing style
As a goaltender, Lehman was a strong skater and good puckhandler. He chased down loose pucks, and was able to pass the puck to his forwards, surprising the other team's defenders. Playing in the OPHL, Lehman scored a goal by shooting the puck in the opponent's net.[6] The first NHL goaltender to duplicate such a feat was Ron Hextall, who did it in 1987.[7]
Legacy
After retiring from ice hockey, Lehman worked in the road construction business, eventually becoming the president of a paving company.[3] Lehman was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1958.[8]
Career statistics
Regular season
Season | Team | League | GP | W | L | T | MIN | GA | SO | GAA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1903β04 | Pembroke Lumber Kings | OVHL | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 300 | 22 | 0 | 4.40 |
1904β05 | Pembroke Lumber Kings | OVHL | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β |
1905β06 | Pembroke Lumber Kings | OVHL | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 480 | 13 | 1 | 1.63 |
1906β07 | Canadian Soo | IPHL | 24 | 13 | 11 | 0 | 1440 | 123 | 0 | 5.13 |
1907β08 | Pembroke Lumber Kings | OVHL | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 240 | 22 | 0 | 5.50 |
1908β09 | Berlin Dutchmen | OPHL | 15 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 890 | 72 | 0 | 4.85 |
1909β10 | Berlin Dutchmen | OPHL | 17 | 11 | 6 | 0 | 995 | 75 | 3 | 4.53 |
1910β11 | Berlin Dutchmen | OPHL | 15 | 7 | 8 | 0 | 900 | 87 | 0 | 5.80 |
1911β12 | New Westminster Royals | PCHA | 15 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 911 | 77 | 0 | 5.07 |
1912β13 | New Westminster Royals | PCHA | 12 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 739 | 51 | 0 | 4.14 |
1913β14 | New Westminster Royals | PCHA | 16 | 7 | 9 | 0 | 997 | 81 | 0 | 4.87 |
1914β15 | Vancouver Millionaires | PCHA | 17 | 13 | 4 | 0 | 1043 | 71 | 1 | 4.08 |
1915β16 | Vancouver Millionaires | PCHA | 18 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 1091 | 69 | 0 | 3.79 |
1916β17 | Vancouver Millionaires | PCHA | 23 | 14 | 9 | 0 | 1404 | 124 | 0 | 5.30 |
1917β18 | Vancouver Millionaires | PCHA | 18 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 1179 | 60 | 1 | 3.05 |
1918β19 | Vancouver Millionaires | PCHA | 20 | 12 | 8 | 0 | 1277 | 55 | 1 | 2.58 |
1919β20 | Vancouver Millionaires | PCHA | 22 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 1334 | 65 | 1 | 2.92 |
1920β21 | Vancouver Millionaires | PCHA | 24 | 13 | 11 | 0 | 1449 | 78 | 3 | 3.23 |
1921β22 | Vancouver Millionaires | PCHA | 22 | 12 | 10 | 0 | 1318 | 62 | 4 | 2.82 |
1922β23 | Vancouver Maroons | PCHA | 25 | 16 | 8 | 1 | 1571 | 61 | 5 | 2.33 |
1923β24 | Vancouver Maroons | PCHA | 30 | 13 | 16 | 1 | 1846 | 80 | 1 | 2.60 |
1924β25 | Vancouver Maroons | WCHL | 11 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 663 | 29 | 0 | 2.62 |
1925β26 | Vancouver Maroons | WHL | 30 | 10 | 18 | 2 | 1839 | 90 | 3 | 2.94 |
1926β27 | Chicago Black Hawks | NHL | 44 | 19 | 22 | 3 | 2797 | 116 | 5 | 2.49 |
1927β28 | Chicago Black Hawks | NHL | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 250 | 20 | 1 | 4.80 |
NHL totals | 48 | 20 | 24 | 4 | 3407 | 136 | 6 | 2.68 | ||
PCHA totals | 262 | 142 | 118 | 2 | 16 159 | 934 | 17 | 3.47 | ||
WCHL/WHL totals | 41 | 17 | 22 | 2 | 2502 | 119 | 3 | 2.85 |
Playoffs
Season | Team | League | GP | W | L | T | MIN | GA | SO | GAA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1905β06 | Pembroke Lumber Kings | NHA | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 0 | 1 | 0.00 |
1909β10 | Galt Professionals | St-Cup | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 120 | 15 | 0 | 7.50 |
1909β10 | Berlin Dutchmen | St-Cup | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 60 | 7 | 0 | 7.00 |
1914β15* | Vancouver Millionaires | St-Cup | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 180 | 8 | 0 | 2.67 |
1917β18 | Vancouver Millionaires | PCHA | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 120 | 2 | 1 | 1.00 |
1917β18 | Vancouver Millionaires | St-Cup | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 300 | 18 | 0 | 3.60 |
1918β19 | Vancouver Millionaires | PCHA | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 120 | 7 | 0 | 3.50 |
1919β20 | Vancouver Millionaires | PCHA | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 120 | 7 | 0 | 3.50 |
1920β21 | Vancouver Millionaires | PCHA | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 120 | 2 | 1 | 2.00 |
1920β21 | Vancouver Millionaires | St-Cup | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 300 | 12 | 0 | 2.40 |
1921β22 | Vancouver Millionaires | PCHA | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 120 | 0 | 2 | 0.00 |
1921β22 | Vancouver Millionaires | West-P | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 120 | 2 | 1 | 1.00 |
1921β22 | Vancouver Millionaires | St-Cup | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 305 | 16 | 1 | 3.15 |
1922β23 | Vancouver Maroons | PCHA | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 120 | 3 | 1 | 1.50 |
1922β23 | Vancouver Maroons | St-Cup | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 240 | 10 | 0 | 2.50 |
1923β24 | Vancouver Maroons | PCHA | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 134 | 3 | 0 | 1.34 |
1923β24 | Vancouver Maroons | West-P | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 180 | 10 | 0 | 3.33 |
1923β24 | Vancouver Maroons | St-Cup | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 120 | 5 | 0 | 2.50 |
1926β27 | Chicago Black Hawks | NHL | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 120 | 10 | 0 | 5.00 |
NHL totals | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 120 | 10 | 0 | 5.00 | ||
PCHA totals | 14 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 854 | 24 | 5 | 1.69 | ||
St-Cup totals | 27 | 10 | 17 | 0 | 1625 | 91 | 1 | 3.36 |
* Stanley Cup Champion.
Coaching record
Team | Year | Regular season | Post season | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G | W | L | T | Pts | Division rank | Result | ||
CHI | 1927β28 | 21 | 3 | 17 | 1 | 7 | 5th in American | DNQ |
Total | 21 | 3 | 17 | 1 | 7 |
References
- Allen, Kevin; Duff, Bob; Bower, Johnny (2002). Without Fear: Hockey's 50 greatest goaltenders. Chicago: Triumph Books. ISBN 978-1-57243-484-4. OCLC 49936232.
- ^ a b c d "Hughie Lehman β Career statistics". Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2008-07-05.
- ^ a b c d Allen, Duff, Bower; p. 59.
- ^ a b Joe Pelletier. "Hugh Lehman". Joe Pelletier. Retrieved 2008-10-07.
- ^ Philadelphia Flyers at Winnipeg Jets - December 21st, 2014 | NHL.com
- ^ "Hugh LehmanβCoaching record". hockeyreference.com. Retrieved 2008-10-07.
- ^ Allen, Duff, Bower; p. 58.
- ^ Allen, Duff, Bower; p. 66.
- ^ "Hughie Lehman β Biography". Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2008-07-05.
External links
- Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or Legends of Hockey, or The Internet Hockey Database
Preceded by Barney Stanley |
Head coach of the Chicago Black Hawks 1928 |
Succeeded by Herb Gardiner |
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Copyright
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