Earl Seibert
Hall of Fame defenceman; first father-son inductees with Oliver Seibert.
Walter Earl Seibert, a Canadian defenceman, spent 15 NHL seasons with the Chicago Black Hawks, New York Rangers, and Detroit Red Wings from 1931 to 1946. He helped the Rangers win the Stanley Cup in 1933 and the Black Hawks in 1938. Between 1935 and 1944, Seibert earned a spot on the NHL’s first or second All-Star team every year—four times on the first team and six times on the second. Known for his tough, physical style, he was famously the only player that Eddie Shore refused to fight.
A dark moment came during a game on January 28, 1937, when Seibert and Howie Morenz got tangled behind the Chicago net. Morenz fell hard into the boards, breaking his leg in several places, and died weeks later from complications in the hospital.
After retiring as a player, Seibert coached Eddie Shore’s Springfield Indians. He entered the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1963, joining his father Oliver as the first father-son duo enshrined. In 1998, *The Hockey News* ranked him 72nd on its list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players. Seibert died of brain cancer on May 12, 1990. The 2009 book *100 Ranger Greats* placed him 61st among the 901 players who had suited up for the Rangers in their first 82 seasons.
Quick Facts
- Halloffame
- 1963
- Birth Date
- 1910-12-07
- Birth Place
- Berlin, Ontario, Canada
- Death Date
- 1990-05-12
- Death Place
- Agawam, Massachusetts, U.S.
- Height Ft
- 6
- Height In
- 2
- Weight Lb
- 200
- Position
- Defence
- Shoots
- Right
- Played For
- New York Rangers / Chicago Black Hawks / Detroit Red Wings
- Career Start
- 1931
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Earl Seibert was an important member of the 1933 New York Rangers and 1938 Chicago Black Hawks Stanley Cup victories. Each year from 1935 to 1944, he was selected to the first or second NHL All-Star team (four times to the first, six times to the second). A tenacious defender, Seibert was renowned for rugged physical play, famously being the only player Eddie Shore was unwilling to fight.
An accident during a January 28, 1937 game cast a shadow over his career. Seibert and the legendary Howie Morenz became tangled up behind the Chicago net; Morenz fell awkwardly against the boards and broke his leg in several places, dying in the hospital from complications several weeks later.
After his NHL retirement, Seibert served as coach of Eddie Shore's Springfield Indians. He died following a battle with brain cancer on May 12, 1990.
Reader's Guide
Earl Seibert's significance lies in his consistent excellence as a defenceman over 15 seasons, earning All-Star recognition in ten consecutive years. He was a key contributor to two Stanley Cup championships, with the New York Rangers in 1933 and the Chicago Black Hawks in 1938. His reputation for rugged physical play was such that the legendary Eddie Shore, known for his own toughness, was unwilling to fight Seibert. The tragic accident involving Howie Morenz in 1937 remains a notable, somber event associated with his career. Seibert's 1963 Hall of Fame induction alongside his father Oliver established the first father-son combination in the Hall. In 1998, The Hockey News ranked him number 72 on its list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players. The 2009 book 100 Ranger Greats ranked him No. 61 all-time among the 901 New York Rangers who played during the team's first 82 seasons.
Did You Know?
- He was part of the first father-son combination inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, with his father Oliver.
- Seibert was involved in the January 28, 1937 accident that led to Howie Morenz's death.
- He was ranked number 72 on The Hockey News' 1998 list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players.
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