Hughie Lehman
First goaltender to regularly pass the puck to teammates.
Frederick Hugh 'Old Eagle Eyes' Lehman was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played from 1903–04 to 1927–28. He is notable for being the first goaltender to regularly pass the puck to his teammates, and for winning the Stanley Cup with the Vancouver Millionaires in 1915.
Quick Facts
- Position
- Goaltender
- Catches
- Left
- Height Ft
- 5
- Height In
- 8
- Weight Lb
- 168
- Played For
- Sault Ste. Marie Marlboros / Berlin Dutchmen / Galt Professionals / New Westminster Royals / Vancouver Millionaires / Chicago Black Hawks
- Birth Date
- 1885-10-27
- Birth Place
- Pembroke, Ontario, Canada
- Death Date
- 1961-04-12
- Death Place
- Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Career Start
- 1908
- Career End
- 1928
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Lehman began his career in 1903–04 with the Pembroke Lumber Kings of the Ottawa Valley Hockey League. He later played for the Berlin Dutchmen and the Galt Professionals, losing two Stanley Cup playoff series in 1909–10. In 1911–12, he joined the New Westminster Royals of the newly formed Pacific Coast Hockey Association, winning the league championship in his first season. He moved to the Vancouver Millionaires in 1914–15, posting a 14–3 record and a 4.08 goals-against average in an era when goaltenders were not allowed to drop to their knees. That season, he helped the Millionaires become the first PCHA team to win the Stanley Cup, with a 3–0 record and 2.67 goals-against average. The Millionaires squad included seven future Hall of Famers: Lehman, Frank Nighbor, Cyclone Taylor, Si Griffis, Barney Stanley, Frank Patrick, and Mickey MacKay. Lehman played with Vancouver until 1925–26, appearing in six more Stanley Cup Finals but losing each time. After the Western Hockey League disbanded, he joined the Chicago Black Hawks in 1926–27, becoming the oldest goaltender to win his first NHL game at 41 years 21 days. During the 1927–28 season, after criticizing owner Frederic McLaughlin's plays, Lehman was appointed head coach, finishing with a 3–17–1 record over 21 games.
Reader's Guide
Hughie Lehman's significance lies in his pioneering puckhandling as a goaltender. According to the article, although some historians credit Jacques Plante for originating the practice, Lehman was the first goaltender to regularly pass the puck to his forwards and defensemen. He even scored a goal by shooting the puck into the opponent's net while playing for the Professionals. His career spanned 22 professional seasons, half of which were with the Vancouver Millionaires, where he won his only Stanley Cup. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1958. After retiring, he worked in road construction and became president of a paving company.
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