Frank Mahovlich

Mahovlich was earmarked for superstardom early in his career and though he would win the Calder Trophy for the NHL Rookie of the Year and score regularly for the Leafs, the fans were expecting a lot more from the young Mahovlich. This was compounded by the Leafs Coach, Punch Imlach rode him hard to the point where the two never spoke to one another. Mahovlich actually had a mental breakdown and had to be admitted to the hospital for depression. He would return to the Leafs, but though still scoring respectable numbers, was still far from a fan favorite in Maple Leaf Gardens.

He would be traded to Detroit where is career was rejuvenated and he scored more frequently. He would later become a Montreal Canadian and post career highs in scoring and was a large part of two Stanley Cup wins for Montreal. Mahovlich would later join the WHA and had two good seasons before injuries caught up with him forcing him to retire in 1978. “The Big M” would enter the Hockey Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

                              

The Bullet Points:
Country of Origin:
Timmins, Ontario, Canada

Elected In:
1981

Position:
Left Wing

Played for:
Toronto Maple Leafs
Detroit Red Wings
Montreal Canadians
Toronto Toros (WHA)
Birmingham Bulls (WHA)
Team Canada (1972 Summit Series)

Major Accolades and Awards:
Calder Trophy (1958)
First Team All Star (3) (1961, 1963 & 1973)
Second Team All Star (6) (1962, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1969 & 1970)
All Star Games (15) (1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973 & 1974)
Stanley Cup Rings (6) (Toronto Maple Leafs 1962, 1963, 1964 & 1967) & (Montreal Canadians 1971 & 1973)