Stan "Chook" Maxwell facts for kids

Stan Maxwell, known as "Chook" Maxwell, was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played from 1959 to 1971. Stan "Chook" Maxwell was one of the first Black professional hockey players. He started his career with the Quebec Aces. He often played with Willie O'Ree for eight years on five different teams. He even played in a special game with the Boston Bruins at Boston Garden. In 1980, he was added to the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame. He was born on March 24, 1935, and passed away on September 7, 2001.

Growing Up: Stan "Chook" Maxwell's Early Years

Stan "Chook" Maxwell was born on March 24, 1935. He grew up in Truro, a town in Nova Scotia, Canada. He was the second oldest of fifteen children.

Chook was good at many sports when he was young. His best sports were baseball and ice hockey. He bought his first ice skates at a yard sale. People say he practiced with his brothers and sisters for over 14 hours a day. They played on ponds around Truro. He scored his first 500 goals using rocks as goalposts.

Later, he was noticed by scouts. He traveled to Quebec to play junior ice hockey.

Chook Maxwell's Professional Career

Hockey Highlights: Chook's Journey on Ice

Chook Maxwell became well-known while playing junior ice hockey. He played in the Quebec Junior Hockey League for teams like the Royal Montreal Hockey Club. He also played for the Three Rivers Flames and Quebec Citadelles.

When he was 20, Chook Maxwell signed a professional contract. He joined the Quebec Aces, a team linked to the Boston Bruins. He played with his frequent teammate Willie O'Ree there. In the 1955–56 season, he scored 12 goals and made 12 assists. He helped the Quebec Aces win the Edinburgh Trophy in 1957. They beat the Brandon Regals.

In 1957 and 1958, the Boston Bruins invited Chook and Willie O'Ree to their training camp. They played in a special game for the Boston Bruins against the Springfield Indians. This game was at Boston Garden. On January 18, 1958, Willie O'Ree was called up to the Boston Bruins. He played two games, becoming the first Black player in the NHL. Chook Maxwell did not join the NHL team. He continued to play in the semi-pro league until 1959. While with the Quebec Aces, he played against famous players like Gordie Howe. He scored 60 goals and made 75 assists.

Chook Maxwell's professional hockey career continued in the Eastern Professional Hockey League. He played for the Kingston Frontenacs from 1959 to 1961. He was one of their top scorers. For the 1961–62 EPHL season, he joined the Hull-Ottawa Canadiens. This team won the league championship that year. It was a minor league team linked to the Montreal Canadiens. His teammates included Willie O'Ree and Jacques Laperrière.

He then played in the Western Hockey League for the Los Angeles Blades. He was with them from 1961 to 1965. In his four seasons with the Blades, Chook scored 45 goals and made 67 assists.

From 1966 to 1971, Stan "Chook" Maxwell played in the International Hockey League. He played for the Toledo Blades, a team linked to the Los Angeles Kings. From 1966 to 1969, he was the top scorer in the league for three seasons in a row. Chook helped the team win the Turner Cup in the 1966–67 season. They beat the Fort Wayne Komets. He scored 140 goals and made 194 assists in five seasons with the Toledo Blades.

Baseball Skills: Chook's Other Sport

Stan "Chook" Maxwell was also a very good baseball player. In the 1950s, he played semi-pro baseball for five seasons. He played with the Truro Bearcats in the Halifax and District Baseball League.

In 1959, he received an offer to play professional baseball from the Milwaukee Braves. However, Chook Maxwell chose to focus on professional hockey instead.

Retirement from Sports

In 1971, Stan "Chook" Maxwell stopped playing professional hockey. He retired from the Toledo Blades after getting an injury.

Later Life and Passing

Stan "Chook" Maxwell passed away from cancer on September 7, 2001. He was 66 years old.

Awards and Recognition

• 1957 Edinburgh Trophy Champion with the Quebec Aces.
• 1961–62 EPHL season League Champion with the Hull-Ottawa Canadiens.
• 1967 Turner Cup Champion with the Toledo Blades.
• IHL Second All-Star Team in 1968–1969.
• Inducted into the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame in 1980.
• Inducted into the Truro Sports Hall of Fame in 1987.
• Inducted into the Black Ice Hockey and Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.
• Honored by Stan ‘Chook’ Maxwell Memorial Park in Truro, Nova Scotia.