Ted Lindsay
Forward who helped organize the first NHL Players' Association.
Ted Lindsay was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played for the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Black Hawks in the National Hockey League. He scored over 800 points, won the Art Ross Trophy in 1950, and won the Stanley Cup four times. He is notable for helping to organize the first attempt at a Players' Association in the late 1950s, an action that led to his trade to Chicago.
Quick Facts
- Halloffame
- 1966
- Birth Date
- 1925-07-29
- Birth Place
- Renfrew, Ontario, Canada
- Death Date
- 2019-03-04
- Death Place
- Oakland, Michigan, U.S.
- Height Ft
- 5
- Height In
- 8
- Weight Lb
- 163
- Position
- Left wing
- Shoots
- Left
- Played For
- Detroit Red Wings / Chicago Black Hawks
- Career Start
- 1944
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Lindsay played left wing on the 'Production Line' with Sid Abel and Gordie Howe. Despite being small in stature, he was a fierce competitor nicknamed 'Terrible Ted' for his toughness. His rough play led the NHL to develop penalties for elbowing and kneeing. He was the first player to lift the Stanley Cup and skate it around the rink, starting that tradition. Lindsay attended the annual pension plan meeting as the Red Wings representative and found the plan was kept secret. After learning about better conditions in other sports, he became convinced only an association could improve players' lives. He and Doug Harvey led a secret effort to organize the first NHL Players' Association, contacting all players for support. Lindsay was stripped of his captaincy and traded to Chicago after his union activities. He initiated an anti-trust lawsuit against the league, which led to an out-of-court settlement in February 1958 that granted most player demands.
Reader's Guide
Lindsay's significance lies in his pivotal role in improving the lives of NHL players. He helped organize the first attempt at a Players' Association in the late 1950s, despite facing retaliation including being stripped of his captaincy and traded. He initiated an anti-trust lawsuit against the league, alleging a monopoly since 1926. The lawsuit exposed the Norris syndicate's operations, including hiding revenues through ticket scalping and under-reporting arena capacities. Rather than face court, the NHL agreed to an out-of-court settlement in February 1958 that included a $7000 minimum wage, increased pension and hospitalization benefits, a limit on exhibition games, and the player being sole judge of his physical fitness after injury. Although a permanent union was not formed until 1967, Lindsay's efforts laid the groundwork for player rights. In 2017, he was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in history.
Did You Know?
- He was traded to Chicago after helping organize the first attempt at a Players' Association.
- Lindsay initiated an anti-trust lawsuit against the NHL, leading to a 1958 settlement that granted player demands.
More in Hockey Hall of Fame Players, Part 2 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced