He didnt see the other defender, who caught him with a clean check that knocked him backward. [3] Masterton was promoted to the Cleveland Barons of the American Hockey League (AHL) for the 196263 season, where he led the team with 82 points. Masterton is credited with the scoring the first goal by a Minnesota franchise in the NHL. https://www.hockey-reference.com/awards/masterton.html 11 [deleted] 5 yr. ago This reminded me of Rich Beverly or Peverly for the Stars. He said prior to the start of the 196768 season that being able to play in Minnesota was key as he would have been unlikely to consider an offer with any other team. Fifty years ago on Jan. 15, 1968 Minnesota North Stars rookie center Bill Masterton died from a head injury suffered 30 hours earlier in a home game against the Oakland Seals. "You protect your elbows, hips, knees and hands, I figured, why not protect your head?" [14] He and his wife Carol adopted two children, Scott and Sally. "We watched his head bounce," Lindgren said. The Montreal Canadiens, which owned his rights, traded them to Minnesota. But a Star investigation has uncovered evidence that an earlier, untreated concussion was likely responsible for Mastertons death at the age of 29. Masterton was not a marquee player, but he was a skilled playmaker who was willing to work in the corners and be a team player. The NHL's expansion from six to 12 teams in 1967-68 rekindled his mothballed dream. The following season, Blair traded Boudrias, who had scored the second-most points for the team in its first season, citing a drop in his production. Blair, in charge of the North Stars, came calling. Latest News Like many Canadian boys growing up in the '50s, Masterton listened to Saturday night radio broadcasts of "Hockey Night in Canada" and dreamed of Foster Hewitt making the call: "Masterton shoots, he scores!". One of their sticks tangled with Masterton's skates as he slid a pass to his wing, and he lost his balance, pitching forward. Ken Lindgren, a fan watching the play about 10 rows up in the stands just above the blue line, can still visualize the impact. "[Masterton] probably had some earlier swelling going on, so if he got a second injury, it would be catastrophic.". Seven hours later, when the Hennepin County medical examiner performed an autopsy, they discovered the true cause of Masterton's death. "You hold out four fingers. A native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Masterton played two seasons of junior hockey with the St. Boniface Canadiens in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL). When Masterton's head struck the ice at Met Center, there was no skull fracture, but his brain swelled very quickly, evidenced by his dilated pupils and elevated blood pressure -- which pointed to a previous head injury. [9] The Pioneers finished the season with a 30-1-1 record and were hailed as "the greatest hockey team to ever represent an American college or university. Masterton had not told the North Stars' coach, Wren Blair, about his headaches, but Blair had thought something might be amiss and commented to the team trainer, "I wonder if we could have him checked," according to the Toronto Star, which first reported this story on May 28, 2011. After Masterton's death, the North Stars set up a scholarship fund in his name. "His eyes were gray at the time -- it was like a horror picture," Boudrias says. "You hold out four fingers. So has NHL protocol, initiated in 2011, which has spotters to flag potentially concussed players and bans those from returning to games in which they were injured. He made the North Stars and scored the first goal in franchise history. [16] In that game, a 22 tie, Masterton scored the first goal in Minnesota franchise history. States the autopsy report: "There was a blow to the left temple in a game some days prior to the fatal injury and the deceased is said to have complained of headaches in the left temporal region.". Newspapers Limited, 8 Spadina Avenue, 10th Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 0S8. [29], Last edited on 16 February 2023, at 07:49, 1961 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament, List of ice hockey players who died during their playing career, "Denver icers favored to whip CC in playoffs", "Denver centre Bill Masterton signs pro contract with Habs", "Doug Robinson voted A.H.L. Theres no doubt in my mind about that, Boudrias said. In 1968, Bill Masterton became the only NHL player to date to die as the result of injuries suffered during a game. At 1:55 a.m. on Jan. 15, 1968 almost 30 hours after he struck his head on the ice Bill Masterton died at the age of 29. John Rosengren is the author of Blades of Glory: The True Story of a Young Team Bred to Win. The Hennepin County medical examiner found evidence of a previous injury on the left side of Masterton's skull on the temporal region of the brain. to colleagues, clients or customers, or inquire about "He didn't move after that. The night before the Oakland game, Masterton's family gathered at the house of their neighbor, North Star goaltender Cesare Maniago, to celebrate Maniago's 29th birthday. https://www.hockey-reference.com/awards/masterton.html. Discuss the NHL, AHL, PHF, IIHF, KHL, and every other hockey league you can think of! Its the most gruesome distinction in hockey: Only one player has ever died from injuries directly suffered in an NHL game. John Rosengren is the author of Blades of Glory: The True Story of a Young Team Bred to Win. Discover the real story, facts, and details of Bill Masterton. In the week before his last game, Masterton had complained to his wife and several teammates about headaches. "[11] The force of the impact caused Masterton to bleed from his nose, ears, and mouth. RIP Bill Masterton. This reminded me of Rich Beverly or Peverly for the Stars. Seven hours later, when the Hennepin County medical examiner performed an autopsy, they discovered the true cause of Mastertons death. rights reserved. The PWHA's 31 chapters will select a winner for the Masterton Trophy at the end of the regular season. "He was a team man off the charts.". It wasn't dirty and it wasn't meant to happen that way. Bob Masterton remembers his brother telling him about the NHL offer over dinner. Masterton, who was not wearing a helmet, smacked the back of his head on the ice. [3] He had 31 goals and 65 points for Hull-Ottawa,[1] placing him in the top ten in both categories. So has NHL protocol, initiated in 2011, which has spotters to flag potentially concussed players and bans those from returning to games in which they were injured. He finished with a master's degree in business at Denver and landed a job at the Minneapolis-based technology company Honeywell, where he worked in the financial department for the Apollo project, married his high school sweetheart and started a family, adopting a son and a daughter. Players, coaches, execs vote for NHL's top centers, NHL Power Rankings: Checking in on each team's 25-and-under core, McAvoy scores in OT, Bruins beat Flames for 8th win a row, Gaudreau scores in shootout, Wild beat Islanders 2-1, Geekie ends drought with 2 goals, Kraken beat Blues 5-3, Robinson scores 3 goals in Blue Jackets' 5-3 win over Sabres. But he played as though he was, said Muckler. As a 29-year-old professional U.S. kickboxing champion, the younger Mastertons career ended with a slip and fall in the ring against the then British champion on the very date Jan. 15th of his fathers death, also at the age of 29. [3], Masterton played three seasons in Denver between 1958 and 1961, appearing in a total of 89 games, scoring 66 goals and 196 points in that time. That rotation was a contributing factor in the severity of his injury. "I knew he was done.". When the brain hasn't healed completely from a previous injury, a subsequent blow can cause the type of sudden and severe swelling found in Masterton's brain. "You hold out four fingers. cemeteries found in Masterton, Masterton District, Wellington, . [5] He was a two-time NCAA All-American and was twice named to the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) All-Star team, earning both awards in 1960 and 1961. Had to do cpr on him right next to the bench in the tunnel. He was 29.. I think he had a (pre-existing) cerebral brain hemorrhage.. Hes also convinced a helmet would have saved Mastertons life. Masterton died on Jan. 15, 1968, after head injuries suffered during a game. Bill Masterton's death sparked a long-running debate in hockey about the merits of wearing helmets, as few NHL players did so in that time. [11], Masterton suffered a severe internal brain injury during the first period of Minnesota's January 13, 1968, game against the Oakland Seals at the Met Center. ", Masterton was an unfortunate victim of the ignorance of his time. Well I DIEEEED, "Oh really? "It's kind of good to hear that because it takes away some of the 'What if?'" He sees both nobility and short-sightedness in the demands placed on hockeys most devoted players. Corry confirmed the opinion of Dr. Charles Tator, a Toronto neurosurgeon quoted in the Toronto Star article, who also said Masterton showed signs of "second-impact syndrome." Ive never thought that it had anything to do with that hit. "When he had headaches early on, we wouldn't have had him on the ice," he said. "There's no doubt in my mind about that," Boudrias said. The team doctor soon joined him. On that fatal night at Met Center on Jan. 13, 1968, the Minnesota North Stars center, playing against the Oakland Seals, carried the puck across the blue line and cut to the right while Seals defensemen Larry Cahan and Ron Harris closed in. #nhl #hockeydeath #rip #hockey #sports". Among the new entries was the Minnesota North Stars. When this happens, it can cause rapid and often fatal brain swelling. It took the NHL more than a decade to catch up to Boudrias' logic. Laperriere acknowledged his career may be over, though he cant bring himself to retire. He pursued a masters degree in business engineering, eventually joining technology giant Honeywell, where he worked on the financial end of the Apollo project. They didn't. He had been checked hard into the glass -- less yielding in those days -- two weeks earlier in a game against the Boston Bruins. That's what men did. Yet players such as Masterton learned to play hurt. All Rights Reserved. The general public doesnt understand the adrenaline, the passion, the dedication the players have to get out there and perform.. Masterton's death sparked a long-running debate in hockey about the merits of wearing helmets, as few NHL players did so in that time. It is very rare to see that level of swelling in the brain from a single injury, he said. "He played that game standing up," Williamson said. "We lived with the accident for many years but did not talk about it.". Only NHL Player To Die On Ice Bill John Masterton Https://Tedtalkshockey.com - YouTube 0:00 / 6:28 #Numberonetrending #NHL #Nationalhockeyleague Only NHL Player To Die On Ice Bill John. Boudrias helped the team's trainer onto the ice to tend to Masterton. Still, he returned to play following lost teeth, hundreds of stitches and even the discovery of a spot on his brain visible on a CAT scan. Id been knocked out myself playing football. His death . That's what men did. They and many others claim the league could be doing more to protect its players from returning to action too soon. "What killed this man was second-impact syndrome.". He was traded the following season to Chicago. [22] The "macho" attitude of the game, including fear of being called a coward, was an often cited reason for reluctance. Philadelphia forward Ian Laperriere is one of three final nominees for this years Masterton Trophy despite not playing a single game in 2010-11 as he deals with post-concussion syndrome. We didnt think it was that serious.. Since Masterton was off balance at the time he got checked (cleanly; there was no penalty called), his brain twisted inside of his skull before his head struck the ice. There's also the girl that was killed in the stands by a puck. Masterton was caught in an awkward collision that sent his head slamming backwards onto the ice. He is the only player in NHL history to die as a direct result of injuries suffered during a game, the result of massive head injuries suffered following a hit during a January 13, 1968 contest against the Oakland Seals. His face is blood red, almost purple. While much in hockey has changed since Masterton died, one thing hasnt: Playing hurt is a sacred principle. The question flashed up on the big screen: What if Ian didnt believe in sacrifice?. After his death, his #19 jersey was officially retired by the Minnesota North Stars. That rotation was a contributing factor in the severity of his injury. At 1:55 a.m. on Jan. 15, 1968 -- almost 30 hours after he struck his head on the ice -- Bill Masterton died at the age of 29. That dream carried him through junior hockey in his hometown of Winnipeg and three years at the University of Denver, where he was an All-American and led the Pioneers to the 1961 NCAA championship, but the dream stalled after two years of minor league hockey in the Montreal Canadiens' organization. The Hennepin County medical examiner found evidence of a previous injury on the left side of Masterton's skull on the temporal region of the brain. Hed never show when he got hurt. Carl Johnson, assistant general manager of Minnesotas farm team in Memphis, said he was told Masterton had blacked out while on line rushes during practice. The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy was created in 1968 under the trusteeship of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association and is presented annually to the "National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey". Yet players such as Masterton learned to play hurt. What about Howie morenz? More importantly, he earned a degree. That was the NHL's code. You were a yellow belly if you wore a helmet.. Born Aug 16 1938 -- Winnipeg, MAN. Happened to Jiri Fisher on the Wings bench too. We didn't think it was that serious.". "When he had headaches early on, we wouldn't have had him on the ice," he said. Prior concussion was a factor in Bill Masterton's death, Wyshynski's NHL trade deadline tiers: From elite game-changers to bargain beauties, NHL trade deadline guides for all 32 teams: Players, picks in play, cap space, team status. Im fine, hed say, the mantra of a thousand hockey players. [24] The University of Denver Pioneers hockey team named its most valuable player award after him,[25] and his Winnipeg high school, Miles Macdonell Collegiate, presents a scholarship in his name. One of their sticks tangled with Masterton's skates as he slid a pass to his wing, and he lost his balance, pitching forward. On that fatal night at Met Center on Jan. 13, 1968, the Minnesota North Stars center, playing against the Oakland Seals, carried the puck across the blue line and cut to the right while Seals defensemen Larry Cahan and Ron Harris closed in. "We lived with the accident for many years but did not talk about it.". [14] His wife Carol later recalled that it was a "dream come true" for her husband: "He always wanted a shot at the NHL, and expansion was a wonderful thing for him and guys like him. Former Edmonton Oilers coach John Muckler, who coached the North Stars farm club in Memphis that season, said he saw signs of trouble with Masterton in training camp. . That same year a trophy called the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy was established by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association, in his memory. [21], Some players began to wear helmets following Masterton's death,[16] but adoption was slow. Masterton left pro hockey after two seasons when it appeared hed never make the NHL. Masterton told his friend that he had been having migraines. It got deathly quiet.". They carried Masterton off on a stretcher, and an ambulance rushed him to Fairview Southdale hospital, seven miles away. Awareness about brain injuries and how to treat them has come a long way since then. Masterton was soft-spoken and modest, a quiet guy with a good sense of humor. Bill Masterton is the only man to die of injuries sustained in a National Hockey League (NHL) game. Ive always thought of this after, that when he complained (of headaches) at least he could have put on a helmet for a couple of days, said teammate Wayne Connolly. NHL Home Scores Schedule Standings Stats Teams Daily Lines Power Rankings More William Masterton (August 13, 1938 January 15, 1968) was a Canadian American professional ice hockey centre who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Minnesota North Stars in 196768. 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