Turk Broda

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Broda was born in Brandon, Manitoba to a Ukrainian family. He acquired the nickname "Turkey Egg" during his school days because of his many freckles, which soon became "Turk." He started his playing career with the Brandon Athletics and Brandon Native Sons, later playing for the Winnipeg Monarchs, Detroit Farm Crest, and Toronto St. Michael's Majors. In 1933–34, the Detroit Red Wings invited him to training camp, but he began his professional career with the Detroit Olympics. In 1933, he also appeared in goal for the Riding Mountain Relief Camp All-Stars. He was acquired by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1935–36 for $7,500. Broda won his first Vezina Trophy in 1940–41 with a GAA of 2.00 and was named to the NHL First All-Star Team. The following season he backstopped the Leafs to the Stanley Cup, recording a shutout and an 8–5 record. During World War II, he joined the Canadian Army in 1942–43, was stationed in England entertaining troops, and was honourably discharged in 1945. He returned to the Leafs in 1945–46 and helped them win Stanley Cups in 1947, 1948, 1949, and 1951. He added another Vezina Trophy and First All-Star Team selection in 1948. He was the first goaltender to reach 300 wins, doing so in 1950. The "Battle of the Bulge" was a dispute with owner Conn Smythe about Broda losing weight; Broda lost enough weight to keep his job, though he later admitted the scales were rigged. After retiring in 1951–52, he coached the Ottawa Senators in the Quebec Hockey League and the Toronto Marlboros, leading the Marlboros to back-to-back Memorial Cup championships in 1955 and 1956. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1967 and the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame in 1983. In 2017, he was named one of the '100 Greatest NHL Players' in history.

In Their Own Story

Broda's journey began with the Brandon Athletics and Native Sons before playing for the Winnipeg Monarchs, Detroit Farm Crest, and Toronto St. Michael's Majors. In 1933–34, the Detroit Red Wings invited him to training camp, but with Normie Smith and John Ross Roach already on the roster, he started his professional career with the Detroit Olympics instead. He also appeared in goal for the Riding Mountain Relief Camp All-Stars in 1933. Acquired by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1935–36 for $7500, Broda emerged as a top league goaltender quickly. In 1942, he helped the Leafs achieve one of the greatest comebacks in NHL history, overcoming a three-games-to-none deficit against the Detroit Red Wings to win the Stanley Cup. His return from the war in 1945–46 marked a turning point; he immediately led the team to titles in 1947, 1948, 1949, and finally 1951 before retiring at age 38 during the 1951–52 season. His nickname 'Turk' originated from his school days as a boy nicknamed 'Turkey Egg' due to his many freckles.

Reader's Guide

Broda is remembered as a key goaltender in the Toronto Maple Leafs' dynasty, winning five Stanley Cups (1942, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1951). He won the Vezina Trophy twice (1941, 1948) and was a two-time NHL First All-Star Team selection. He recorded 13 shutouts and a GAA of 1.98 in the playoffs. His #1 jersey has been retired by the Maple Leafs.

Did You Know?

• Broda was born in Brandon, Manitoba to a Ukrainian family, though he is sometimes mistakenly referred to as Polish.
• He earned the nickname 'Turkey Egg' because of his freckles, which later became 'Turk.'
• Broda was the first goaltender in NHL history to reach 300 wins.
• He served in the Canadian Army during World War II, playing military hockey to boost troop morale.
• The 'Battle of the Bulge' was a public dispute with owner Conn Smythe over Broda's weight; Broda later admitted the scales were rigged in his favour.