Frank Nighbor

The original two-way forward and first winner of the Hart and Lady Byng Trophies.

Frank Nighbor was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played primarily for the Ottawa Senators of the NHA and NHL. He also played for the Toronto Blueshirts, Vancouver Millionaires, and Toronto Maple Leafs. He won the Stanley Cup once with the Millionaires and four times with the Senators. He was known as the 'Pembroke Peach', 'The Flying Dutchman', and 'Peerless Frank'.

Quick Facts

Position

Centre

Shoots

Left

Played for

Toronto Blueshirts
Vancouver Millionaires
Ottawa Senators
Toronto Maple Leafs

Born

26 January 1893

Birthplace

Pembroke, Ontario, Canada

Died

13 April 1966

Hall of Fame

1947

Lore & Background

Nighbor was a defensive forward known for his poke checking, back checking, and body checking. He was a clean player and one of the last 60-minute hockey players. He became the first player to be awarded both the Hart Trophy and the Lady Byng Trophy. He learned his poke check from watching Port Arthur teammate Jack Walker.

Reader's Guide

Nighbor spent most of his career as a centre forward, but early on he also played left wing. He was known for his sweep check and poke check, good speed, and sportsmanship. He never took a major penalty up to February 1916; most of his fouls were tripping or accidental fouls related to his poke check.

Did You Know?

Nighbor won the Stanley Cup five times: once with Vancouver (1915) and four times with Ottawa (1920, 1921, 1923, 1927).
He was the first winner of both the Hart Trophy (1924) and the Lady Byng Trophy (1925).
Lady Byng personally presented him the Lady Byng Trophy after asking if the NHL would accept it as an award.
Nighbor died of cancer on April 13, 1966, in Pembroke at age 73.