Jack Stewart (ice hockey) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jack Stewart
Hockey Hall of Fame, 1964
Jack Stewart, playing for the Detroit Red Wings
Born	(1917-05-06)May 6, 1917 Pilot Mound, Manitoba, Canada
Died	May 25, 1983(1983-05-25) (aged 66) Troy, Michigan, U.S.
Height	5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight	180 lb (82 kg; 12 st 12 lb)
Position	Defence
Shot	Left
Played for	Detroit Red Wings Chicago Black Hawks
Playing career	1937–1953

John Sherratt "Black Jack" Stewart (born May 6, 1917 – died May 25, 1983) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He was a defenceman who played for 12 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Detroit Red Wings and the Chicago Black Hawks.

Jack Stewart won two Stanley Cup championships with the Red Wings. He was also chosen for the post-season NHL All-Star team five times. He played in the first four NHL All-Star Games ever held. After his NHL career, he became a coach for many different hockey teams. Stewart was known as the hardest-hitting defenceman of his time, which is how he got his nickname "Black Jack." He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1964.

Becoming a Hockey Star

Jack Stewart started playing junior hockey with the Portage Terriers in Manitoba from 1935 to 1937. A businessman from Winnipeg noticed his talent and suggested him to James Norris, who owned the Detroit Red Wings.

Joining the Pros

Stewart began his professional hockey career with the Pittsburgh Hornets. This team was a minor league affiliate of the Red Wings. He played one season there before being called up to the Detroit Red Wings.

In his first NHL season (1938–39), Stewart quickly showed how strong and physical he was on the ice. He played in all 48 games for Detroit in the 1939–40 season. His first goal in the NHL was scored that year.

Stanley Cup Success

Stewart and the Red Wings made it to the Stanley Cup finals two years in a row, in 1941 and 1942. They lost both times. But in his fifth season (1942–43), Stewart was named to the NHL first All-Star team as a defenceman. That year, he helped the Red Wings win the NHL regular season title. They reached the finals for a third time and defeated the Boston Bruins to win their first Stanley Cup with Stewart.

War and Return to the Ice

Stewart's NHL career was paused during World War II in 1943. He stayed in Canada and served in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He played hockey for military teams during this time.

When he returned to the NHL, Stewart became a key player on the Red Wings' defence. He was chosen for four more All-Star teams between 1945 and 1949. He also played in the first four NHL All-Star Games from 1947 to 1950. Stewart wasn't known for scoring many goals, but he was a strong defensive player. He won his second Stanley Cup with the Red Wings in 1950.

Moving to Chicago

After winning the championship, the Red Wings traded Stewart to the Chicago Black Hawks. This was a big trade involving nine players. The Black Hawks immediately made Stewart their team captain and assistant coach.

Stewart faced serious injuries during his time with the Black Hawks. In December 1950, he suffered a severe spinal injury. Doctors thought his career was over and told him he was lucky to walk. But Stewart had surgery and made an amazing recovery, deciding to keep playing.

Later, he suffered a minor skull fracture after hitting a teammate. He announced his retirement after this injury, but again, he surprised everyone by returning to play. However, his injuries eventually led him to ask for his release from the Black Hawks to pursue coaching.

Coaching Career

After his playing days, Stewart became a hockey coach. He first coached the Chatham Maroons in the Ontario Hockey Association in 1952–53. He even played in 45 games for them as a player-coach.

Stewart then coached several other teams. He led the Kitchener-Waterloo Dutchmen and the Windsor Bulldogs. In 1961, he moved to professional coaching with the Sault Thunderbirds. A year later, he coached the Pittsburgh Hornets, a team linked to the Detroit Red Wings. He retired from coaching in 1963.

Playing Style

Jack Stewart was known as one of the hardest bodycheckers in the NHL. He even used a very heavy stick, saying he used it "for breaking arms." When he hit opponents, he often had a big grin on his face. His teammate Ted Lindsay said that when Stewart smiled like that, opponents knew to be careful!

Stewart didn't like his nickname "Black Jack" because he thought it made him sound like a dirty player. But others, like Hockey Hall of Fame defenceman King Clancy, said he wasn't dirty, just incredibly tough. Stewart's physical style led to many injuries for himself. He had many scars and needed over 200 stitches during his career.

Despite his toughness, Stewart was a smart defenceman. He rarely left his position to make a hit. His coach, Jack Adams, called him "one of the best blueliners in the game." Stewart was a good skater and was good at clearing the puck from his team's zone. He was known as a "defensive defenceman" whose main job was to protect his team's net.

Stewart was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1964. He is also honored in the Michigan Sports, Manitoba Hockey, and Manitoba Sports Halls of Fame.

Personal Life

Jack Stewart was born in Pilot Mound, Manitoba, on May 6, 1917. He learned to play hockey on outdoor rinks there. In the off-season, he worked on his family farm, which helped him build his strength for hockey. He also enjoyed curling and playing softball. Even though he was tough on the ice, he was a quiet person, earning him the nickname "Silent Jack" from his teammates.

After leaving hockey in 1963, Stewart focused on harness racing. His father had a track on their farm and held races there. Stewart became involved in the sport, working as a race timer and judge for nearly 30 years.

Stewart later retired to Florida. He passed away on May 6, 1983, at his home in Troy, after a long battle with cancer. He was survived by his two children, Barclay and Jaqueline. In 2010, the new arena in his hometown of Pilot Mound was named 'The Black Jack Stewart Arena' in his honor.

Awards and Honours