23. Carl Brewer

If ever there was a hockey player who marched to his own tune, it would have to be Carl Brewer. A brilliant stay-at-home defenseman, Brewer would literally do whatever it took to stop any attacker. He was also the victim of rash decision-making as his uncontrollable intensity often cost his team costly penalties. Brewer also left the game on multiple occasions (even during the peak of his career) due to off-ice disagreements with other players, coaches, or management. Had Brewer stayed in the NHL consistently, his hockey accomplishments would be unquestionably larger, but as such, he will go down in history far more for his off-ice activities than on.

Should Carl Brewer be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 94.2%

Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 2.3%

Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 1.6%

No opinion. - 0%

No way! - 1.9%

The Bullet Points

Country of Origin: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Eligible Since: Saturday, 01 January 1983
Position: Defence
Games Played: 604 (77 in WHA)
Notable Statistics:
25 Goals (2 in WHA)
198 Assists (23 in WHA)
223 Points (25 in WHA)
+221 Plus/Minus (+38 in WHA)***
1,018 PIM (42 in WHA)
N/A Blocked Shots*
N/A Hits*
N/A Takeaways*
N/A Giveaways*
53.4 Point Shares**

72 Playoff Games (12 in WHA)
3 Goals (0 in WHA)
17 Assists (4 in WHA)
20 Points (4 in WHA)
+25 Plus/Minus (N/A in WHA)****
144 PIM (11 in WHA)
N/A Blocked Shots*
N/A Hits*
N/A Takeaways*
N/A Giveaways*

*These stats were first implemented in the 2007/08 Season.
**Point Shares are not calculated in WHA Games.
***Plus/Minus was first calculated in the 1959-60 Season
****Plus/Minus was not calculated in the WHA season that Brewer was in their playoffs.
Played For: Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues, Toronto Maple Leafs
Non-NHL Teams: Toronto Toros (WHA)
Team Camada (World Hockey Championships 1967 & 1968)
Toronto Marlboros (OHA)
Major Accolades and Awards: Stanley Cup Rings (3) (Toronto Maple Leafs 1962, 1963 & 1964)
First Team All-Star (1) (1963)
Second Team All-Star (3) (1962, 1965 & 1970)
NHL All-Star (4) (1959, 1962, 1964 & 1970)
Highest Plus/Minus (2) (1963 & 1965)
Most Penalties in Minutes (2) (1960 & 1965)
World Hockey Championship Bronze Medal (1) (Canada 1967)
Notable Top Ten Finishes: Top Norris Trophy Finishes:
4th in 1962, 2nd in 1963, 6th in 1965 & 3rd in 1970
4 Top Ten Plus/Minus Finishes
5 Top Ten PIM Finishes
1 Top Ten Short-Handed Goal Finish
6 Top Ten Defensive Point Shares Finishes
1 Top Ten Point Share Finish
Rankings: 85. Plus/Minus: +185

***Plus/Minus was first calculated in the 1959-60 Season.

These rankings are as of the end of the 2024-25 Season.