Advent Day 19 - Bill Masterton

Bill Masterton's name lives on not because of his stats but because of tragedy. He played less than a season in the NHL, where he scored the first goal ever for the expansion North Stars. His career and life were cut short half way through the year in a game against the Seals. He was checked and fell over backwards, the hit to his head resulted in massive blood loss and severe trauma to the skull and would cause his death just 2 days later. He was 29.

He was the first, and to this day the only, NHL player to die as a result of an injury sustained during a game. Although many had come close in the past including Gordie Howe who dealt with a similar experience early on in his career. Masterton's death would inevitably put a focus on the use of helmets in the league, although they wouldn't become mandatory for more than 2 decades.

He was the only player to ever wear the number 19 for the North Stars and they officially retired it 20 years after his death in 1987. (The Dallas Stars still recognize Minnesota's retired numbers.)

The Bill Masterton Trophy, which is given annually to the NHL player who most exemplifies "perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey", was created in the year following Masterton's death. It has been awarded to among others Mario Lemieux, Pat LaFontaine, Bobby Clarke, Teemu Selanne, and Cam Neely.

More on Bill Masterton, including the original press clippings, can be found at NorthStarsHockey.com here.

His jerseys in the database are available here.