Gump Worsley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gump Worsley |
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| Hockey Hall of Fame, 1980 | |||
Worsley with the Montreal Canadiens in the 1960s
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| Born | May 14, 1929 Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
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| Died | January 26, 2007 (aged 77) Beloeil, Quebec, Canada |
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| Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) | ||
| Weight | 180 lb (82 kg; 12 st 12 lb) | ||
| Position | Goaltender | ||
| Caught | Left | ||
| Played for | New York Rangers Montreal Canadiens Minnesota North Stars |
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| Playing career | 1952–1974 | ||
Lorne John "Gump" Worsley (May 14, 1929 – January 26, 2007) was a famous professional ice hockey goaltender. He was born and grew up in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Friends gave him the nickname 'Gump' because they thought he looked like a comic-strip character named Andy Gump. He was known for his amazing saves and his funny personality.
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Gump Worsley's Hockey Journey
Gump Worsley had a long and exciting career in ice hockey. He played for many years, first in minor leagues and then in the NHL. He was a goaltender, which means his job was to stop the puck from going into his team's net.
Starting Out: Minor League Days
Before joining the NHL, Gump played for four years in smaller leagues. He played for teams like the New York Rovers and the Saskatoon Quakers. During these years, he was recognized as a top goaltender. For three seasons in a row (1950-1952), he was named a First Team All-Star. He was also known as the leading goaltender in his league.
Rookie of the Year with the Rangers
In 1952, Gump Worsley joined the New York Rangers in the NHL. Even though his team was not very good, he played incredibly well. He won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the best rookie of the year. This was a huge achievement for a new player!
After his great rookie season, Gump asked for a small pay raise. But the Rangers sent him back to the minor leagues instead. In 1954, playing for the Vancouver Canucks, he won the league's Most Valuable Player award. Later that year, he returned to the Rangers and became their main goaltender. He played for them for nine seasons, always giving his best even when the team struggled. He even set a team record with 43 saves in one game!
Life with the Montreal Canadiens
In 1963, Gump was traded to the Montreal Canadiens. This was a big change for him. While he spent some time in the minor leagues, he truly shined with the Canadiens. He helped them win the Stanley Cup four times! These wins were in 1965, 1966, 1968, and 1969.
His best season was in 1968. He won the Vezina Trophy (given to the best goaltender) and had a very low goals-against average. This means he let in very few goals. In the playoffs that year, he was unbeatable, winning eleven games in a row!
Gump had a disagreement with the Canadiens' general manager and briefly left the team. He was replaced by another great goaltender, Rogie Vachon.
Playing for the Minnesota North Stars
After a short break from hockey, Gump was convinced to play again for the Minnesota North Stars. He played for five more years, retiring at the age of 44 in 1974. His best season with the North Stars was in 1972, where he had the second-best goals-against average in the league.
Gump Worsley was one of the first goaltenders to reach 300 wins and 300 losses in the NHL. This shows how long and successful his career was.
Gump's Unique Personality
Gump Worsley was known for his funny and honest personality. He had a great sense of humor.
- Once, when asked which team gave him the most trouble, he joked, "The New York Rangers!" because they were often a struggling team.
- He was also famous for not wanting to wear a face mask. He was one of the very last goalies to play without one. When asked why, he famously said, "My face is my mask!"
- Gump also had a big fear of flying. In 1968, he had a difficult flight that made him very upset. He even joked about needing dry cleaning for his underwear after a bumpy landing! When he joined the North Stars, he was told they traveled less than other teams, which probably made him happy.
Gump's Other Talents: Soccer
Not many people know that Gump Worsley was also a very good soccer player! He played as a junior in Montreal and even played for all-star teams against famous English clubs like Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur. He helped his team, Montréal Hakoah FC, reach the Canadian final in 1953. His father was also a great soccer player who won a Canadian championship.
Injuries Gump Faced
Playing hockey, especially as a goaltender without a mask, meant Gump faced many injuries. He had back problems, knee surgeries, and even a broken finger. One time, a very fast shot from Bobby Hull hit him in the forehead, knocking him out. When he woke up, he joked, "Good thing the puck hit me flat!" This shows how tough he was.
Retirement and Legacy
When Gump Worsley retired, he had played more games than almost any other goalie in history. He finished his career with 335 wins, 352 losses, and 150 ties. He also had 43 shutouts (games where he didn't let in any goals).
Gump Worsley passed away on January 26, 2007, after a heart attack. He is remembered as a hockey legend and a truly unique character. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1980, which is a huge honor.
His legacy lives on, with some Canadian bands even writing tribute songs about him! The term "Stacking the Gumpers" also comes from him. It's a way a goalie makes a save by lying on their side and blocking the puck with their leg pads.
Career Achievements and Facts
- Won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 1953.
- Stanley Cup champion in 1965, 1966, 1968, and 1969.
- Won the Vezina Trophy in 1966 and 1968.
- Named to the NHL First All-Star Team in 1968.
- Named to the NHL Second All-Star Team in 1966.
- Played in the NHL All-Star Game in 1961, 1962, 1965, and 1972.
- Tied for the second-most career losses in the NHL with 352.
- Currently 7th in all-time games played for goalies.
- Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1980.
- One of the last two goaltenders to play in the NHL without a face mask.
- Affectionately known to Minnesota North Stars fans as "the Gumper".
- The popular term "Stacking the Gumpers" originated from his style of play.
Images for kids
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Worsley with the Montreal Canadiens in the 1960s
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Photo with New York, 1962
