24. Pat Stapleton

Before he was a Chicago Blackhawk, Pat Stapleton was a Toronto Maple Leaf for all of one day, as he was left unprotected after being traded from the Boston Bruins.  Had the Bruins known what Stapleton was going to accomplish in Chi-Town, they likely never would have traded him, and the Leafs would never have left him unprotected.

In his first season with Chicago, Stapleton was a Second Team All-Star and was third in Norris Trophy voting.  He would later have four consecutive 40 Point seasons. In the 1970-71 and 1971-72 seasons, he was again a Second Team All-Star, and in both seasons, he finished fourth in Norris voting.  Stapleton’s rank here would have been higher had he not decided to be one of the many players to join the upstart World Hockey Association.  Coincidentally, he would stay in Chicago, joining the Chicago Cougars.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Defence
  • Acquired: Claimed from the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Intra-League Draft 6/9/65.
  • Departed: Signed with the Chicago Cougars of the WHA prior to the 1973-74 Season.
  • Games Played: 545
  • Notable Statistics: 41 Goals
    286 Assists
    327 Points
    301 PIM
    .43 PPG
    +201 Plus/Minus
    63.0 Point Shares

    65 Playoff Games
    10 Goals
    39 Assists
    49 Points
    40 PIM
    .75 PPG
    +4 Plus/Minus
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    Second Team All-Star (1966, 1971 & 1972)
    All-Star (1967, 1969, 1971 & 1972)
    Most Defensive Point Shares (1967)
  • Notable Top Ten Finishes: Top Ten Norris Trophy Finishes:
    3rd in 1966. 4th in 1971 & 4th in 1972
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