Andy Bathgate
Penguins' first goal scorer and Hall of Fame right winger
Andrew James Bathgate (August 28, 1932 – February 26, 2016) was a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played 17 seasons in the NHL for the New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins between 1952 and 1971. In 2017 he was named one of the '100 Greatest NHL Players' in history.
Quick Facts
- Hall of Fame
- 1978
- Born
- 28 August 1932
- Birthplace
- Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Died
- 26 February 2016
- Place of death
- Brampton, Ontario, Canada
- Position
- Right wing
- Shoots
- Right
- Played for
- New York Rangers
- Toronto Maple Leafs
- Detroit Red Wings
- Pittsburgh Penguins
- Ambrì-Piotta
- Vancouver Blazers
Lore & Background
Bathgate was chosen by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1967 NHL Expansion Draft and scored the first goal in the team's history. He returned to the WHL's Vancouver Canucks after one season, then played his last year of North American professional hockey for the Penguins in 1970-71.
Reader's Guide
Bathgate won the Hart Memorial Trophy as NHL MVP in 1958–59. He helped the Toronto Maple Leafs win the Stanley Cup in 1964 and led the WHL's Vancouver Canucks to consecutive Lester Patrick Cup victories in 1969 and 1970. His best professional year was 1969-70, scoring 108 points and earning the George Leader Cup as WHL MVP.
Did You Know?
- Bathgate's slapshot hit Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jacques Plante in the face, leading Plante to wear a mask and starting a trend toward mandatory goalie masks.
- In December 1959, Bathgate wrote a controversial article titled 'Atrocities on Ice' warning about spearing in hockey, for which the NHL fined him $1,000.
- Bathgate's grandson and namesake, Andy Bathgate, was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2009 NHL entry draft.
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