Al Rollins facts for kids

Elwin Ira Rollins (born October 9, 1926 – died July 27, 1996) was a Canadian ice hockey goaltender. He played for several teams in the NHL, including the Chicago Black Hawks, New York Rangers, and Toronto Maple Leafs. Rollins was known for his impressive skills as a goalie, even when playing for teams that struggled.

Playing Career

Before joining the big leagues, Rollins played for teams in minor hockey leagues. He played with the Vancouver Canucks in the PCHL. When he was 21, Rollins moved to Edmonton to play for the Edmonton Flyers. He hoped the Flyers could win the Allan Cup, a famous amateur hockey championship. He also believed that playing well there could help him get into the NHL.

Rollins' hard work paid off! The Edmonton Flyers won the Allan Cup in the 1947–48 season. He played 24 games that year, winning 20 of them. His GAA (which measures how many goals a goalie lets in per game) was a very good 1.93.

After a couple more years in the minor leagues, the Toronto Maple Leafs signed Rollins in the 1950–51 season. Some people thought he was brought in just to make another goalie, Turk Broda, work harder. But the Leafs also needed more good goalies. That season, the Maple Leafs went on to win the Stanley Cup, the biggest prize in hockey!

Even after winning the Stanley Cup, Rollins couldn't convince the Leafs to make him their main goalie. In the 1951–52 season, he was traded to the Chicago Black Hawks. He played for the Black Hawks for five years. During this time, the team often finished last in the NHL. This meant Rollins had a record of 141 wins, 205 losses, and 83 ties.

Despite his team's struggles, many hockey experts thought Rollins was one of the best goalies in the league. In the 1953–54 season, he played in the NHL All-Star Game. He also won the Hart Memorial Trophy, which is given to the league's most valuable player. This was amazing because he only won 12 games and lost 47 that season!

As of 2020, Rollins is one of only three players to win the Hart Memorial Trophy but not be chosen for the Hockey Hall of Fame.

In the 1957–58 season, the Chicago Black Hawks got another great goalie, Glenn Hall. Rollins was sent back to the minor leagues. He stayed there until the 1959–60 season, when the New York Rangers signed him. He played 10 games for the Rangers before returning to the minor leagues. This was the end of his NHL career. Even at 37 years old, Rollins helped the Drumheller Miners win another Allan Cup in 1965–66.

Coaching Career

After he stopped playing, Rollins became a coach. He coached the University of Calgary hockey team. He also coached teams in Spokane, Salt Lake City, Houston, Tulsa, and Phoenix. As a coach, he was quite successful. He even won another Allan Cup as a coach with the Spokane Jets in 1970.

In 1976, Rollins became the coach of the World Hockey Association's (WHA) Phoenix Roadrunners. His time with the Roadrunners was short, and the team struggled, leading to the franchise ending after just one season with him as coach.

Rollins' son, Jerry, also played in the WHA.

Awards and Achievements

• Vezina Trophy Winner (1951)
• Stanley Cup Championship (1951)
• Hart Memorial Trophy Winner (1954)
• Played in NHL All-Star Game (1954)
• Allan Cup Championships as a player (1948, 1966)
• Allan Cup Championship as a coach (1970)