When you have a nickname of “Old Hardrock,” you get an idea of just what type of Defenseman Gus Mortson was.  From Northern Ontario, he was paired with another youngster, Jim Thomson, and they would become the ”Gold Dust Twins”. 

Glen Harmon played all nine of his NHL seasons with the Montreal Canadiens where he assisted the Habs in winning the Stanley Cup in 1944 and 1946.  Harmon was a very efficient player who was twice named a Second Team All-Star, but in terms of a modern look, he more importantly led the league in Defensive Point Shares (1946 & 1949).  With all due respect to the fans of Montreal, arguably the best fanbase in the league, his legacy in Montreal is not as strong as it should be.

Known for his seriousness, discipline, and overall toughness, Bobby Holik came from Czechoslovakia to the National Hockey League, where, after two seasons with the Hartford Whalers, he found a real home with the New Jersey Devils.  Holik would play for the Devils for 10 straight seasons, scoring 463 Points over that period, including three consecutive 60 Point campaigns from 1996-97 to 1998-99.  In that later season (98-99), Holik started a streak of five straight seasons earning votes for the Frank J. Selke Trophy, a testament to his two-way ability.  With the New Jersey Devils, he helped the team win two Stanley Cups (1995 & 2000), and he was himself a two-time All-Star.

With a solid career in the National Hockey League, Finnish Defenseman Sami Salo had a solid though massively injury-riddled career.  Salo scored 339 career Points with his best years coming as one of the anchors of a good Vancouver Canucks defensive corps.  Salo, who was tagged as injury prone (he allegedly had 40 injuries over his career) would still play 15 seasons in the NHL and more notably was a four time Olympian for the Finnish team where he won a Silver Medal and two Bronzes.