"[3] However, Masterton's family held no animosity towards the players involved or the game. "I knew he was done.". "I was asked to take it off," Boudrias said. [26] High schools in Bloomington, where the North Stars played their games, also award scholarships in Masterton's name. Its also the mindset that will shorten their lives and destroy their bodies. He understands how passion and perseverance can deliver both glory and death. "It's kind of good to hear that because it takes away some of the 'What if?'" If the guy only sees two, you send him back out there because it doesn't matter anyway. [15], After taking a year off from hockey in 1964, Masterton regained his amateur status so that he could play senior hockey in the United States Hockey League. Discover the real story, facts, and details of Bill Masterton. They thought it took away from the fan experience, masking the identity of players. In 1967, Mastertons nearly forgotten hope of playing in the NHL re-emerged with the leagues expansion from six to 12 teams. "It sounded like a baseball bat hitting a ball," teammate Andr Boudrias recalled. "It is very rare to see that level of swelling in the brain from a single injury," he said. The underlying cause of his death almost 50 years ago elevates awareness about the risks of undiagnosed concussions -- and the NHL's responsibility to address them. 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. All Rights Reserved. After Mastertons death, the North Stars set up a scholarship fund in his name. And in Masterton's case, it probably cost him his life. "Helmets are great to absorb blunt impact, but when the brain is spinning, helmets don't help the spinning contents slow down," Corry said. 4 pick Puljujarvi to Canes, Chasing history in Boston: The numbers behind the Bruins' wild 2022-23 season, McDavid, then who? cemeteries found in Masterton, Masterton District, Wellington, . Or Richard Zednik who came close after his neck was cut by a skate and he lost a lot of blood. And he got hit a few games very hard at the NHL level. He and others considered it a sign of weakness. [27], Masterton was inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 1985,[28] and named to the NCAA's 50th anniversary team in 1997. He cherished his son, Scott, 3, and daughter, Sally, 1. They and many others claim the league could be doing more to protect its players from returning to action too soon. The team also retired his No. 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. John Rosengren is the author of Blades of Glory: The True Story of a Young Team Bred to Win. said Boudrias, now 72. 19, a tradition the franchise continued to honor when it moved and became the Dallas Stars. 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. In 1968, Boudrias was the only North Star who wore a helmet. "[11] The force of the impact caused Masterton to bleed from his nose, ears, and mouth. Masterton told his friend that he had been having migraines. NHL trade grades: Kane deal to Rangers earns high marks for one side, NHL trade tracker: Latest deals, rumors and grades, Rangers clear hurdles, get Kane from Blackhawks, Oilers bulk up defense, secure Predators' Ekholm, Leafs win Schenn sweepstakes, trade for veteran, Leafs deal Sandin to Capitals for Gustafsson, pick, Wild add depth, acquire Johansson from Capitals, NHL suspends Rangers' Miller for spitting incident, Oilers trade ex-No. 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". You have come to the ESPN Africa edition, for other ESPN editions, click above. john@johnrosengren.net|612-926-8835. 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. Boudrias is convinced his insistence on wearing a helmet factored into Blair's decision. Back at the 1968 All-Star Game, discussion among beat writers went beyond the helmet debate to come up with a way to commemorate the leagues first casualty. He had been checked hard into the glass -- less yielding in those days -- two weeks earlier in a game against the Boston Bruins. Masterton is credited with the scoring the first goal by a Minnesota franchise in the NHL. Seven hours later, when the Hennepin County medical examiner performed an autopsy, they discovered the true cause of Masterton's death. I saw Bills head after he was just checked from behind and it just looked like his eyes were in the back of his head, she said. If you do not yet have a Torstar account, you can create one now (it is free), Copyright owned or licensed by Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. RIP Bill Masterton. The Montreal Canadiens, which owned his rights, traded them to Minnesota. 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. Deadline decisions: What will Avs, Kraken and others do? Bill Masterton is the only man to die of injuries sustained in a National Hockey League (NHL) game. 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." 2023 John Rosengren. I looked at him and said, What are you going to do? because he was just starting a young family, said Bob. [1][2] He added eight points in six games during the Memorial Cup playdowns, however St. Boniface failed to reach the national championship final. Yet players such as Masterton learned to play hurt. You would get traded if you did. [3], At the age of 29, Masterton made his NHL debut in the North Stars' inaugural game, played October 11, 1967, against the St. Louis Blues. Throughout his college career, right through to his training camp in Memphis, Masterton wore a helmet, a rarity in an age when head protection was dismissed by players and management alike. Three years later, only six Minnesota players wore them, the most of any of the NHL's teams. 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. [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. Bill Masterton played only 38 games in the NHL, but his memory has left a lasting impression. accessed ), memorial page for William Duncan "Bill" Cromie (24 Apr 1915-20 Feb 2002), Find a Grave Memorial ID 244481111, citing Riverside Cemetery . ", North Stars coach Wren Blair describes Masterton's qualities as a player. In 1968, Boudrias was the only North Star who wore a helmet. We didn't think it was that serious.". He had kept fit by playing on a barnstorming amateur team, the St. Paul Steers, and with the U.S. national team. 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. Masterton was soft-spoken and modest, a quiet guy with a good sense of humor. The NHL's expansion from six to 12 teams in 1967-68 rekindled his mothballed dream. Only a handful of NHL players wore them at the time, including Mastertons teammate, Boudrias. But a Star investigation has uncovered evidence that an earlier, untreated concussion was likely responsible for Mastertons death at the age of 29. That was the NHL's code. asked Williamson, who has a photo hanging in his office of Masterton on the stretcher. The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey. Yet that might not actually be the case. Yet players such as Masterton learned to play hurt. He played for Team USA from 1966 to 1967, and the Minnesota North Stars from 1967 to 1968. That honour followed the franchise when it relocated south to become the Dallas Stars. A helmet obviously would not have hurt Masterton, but it might not have been enough to spare his life, given the nature of his injury and the fact he had not healed from a recent concussion. They thought it took away from the fan experience, masking the identity of players. He and others considered it a sign of weakness. "This is an urgent matter," UMC CEO Bill Masterton said. Masterton had worn a helmet when he played college hockey in Denver because NCAA regulations required players to wear them, but he did not wear one as a professional. 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. He briefly played in the Montreal Canadiens organization before settling in Minnesota where he played senior hockey. The death of DU hockey Alum Bill Masterton 40 years ago this week was tragic, unnecessary and foolish. "He played that game standing up," Williamson said. "When he had headaches early on, we wouldn't have had him on the ice," he said. https://www.hockey-reference.com/awards/masterton.html 11 [deleted] 5 yr. ago This reminded me of Rich Beverly or Peverly for the Stars. Born Aug 16 1938 -- Winnipeg, MAN. "We watched his head bounce," Lindgren said. This is the story of the death of Masterton, one of the 100 darkest moments in pop culture history. Coach Wren Blair believed that Masterton was playing through a pre-existing brain hemorrhage. Happened to Jiri Fisher on the Wings bench too. Yet players such as Masterton learned to play hurt. "I knew he was done.". It got deathly quiet.". They and many others claim the league could be doing more to protect its players from returning to action too soon. One account holds that Masterton regained consciousness for a few moments and repeated the words, Never again, never again, before closing his eyes for the final time. He died two days later. The Professional Hockey Writers Association proposed -- and the league immediately approved -- the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy to be awarded annually to the player who best exemplifies the virtues of perseverance, courage and sportsmanship that Masterton displayed. A helmet obviously would not have hurt Masterton, but it might not have been enough to spare his life, given the nature of his injury and the fact he had not healed from a recent concussion. Yep, retired by the North Stars and carried over to Dallas. The specter of Masterton's death hung over the NHL All-Star Game, which was played in Toronto the next day, Jan. 16, 1968. While much in hockey has changed since Masterton died, one thing hasnt: Playing hurt is a sacred principle. A team of doctors at the hospital treated Masterton with steroids and diuretics, but the swelling in his brain was so swift and severe that they decided against operating. For the 1979-80 season, the league finally made helmets mandatory for new players -- allowing those who signed professional contracts prior to June 1, 1979, the option not to wear them -- but it would be 18 years before every NHL player complied. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dh_uLi6Bf7s, https://www.hockey-reference.com/awards/masterton.html. Its kind of good to hear that because it takes away some of the What if? While Masterton was originally thought to have suffered a fatal brain injury while being checked on the ice, later analysis of the case revealed evidence of second-impact syndrome and . Injury wasnt really of any importance in the sense that you didnt want to lose your job and if you couldnt play, obviously they had to fill their roster, said Walton, now a real estate agent in Toronto. Among the new entries was the Minnesota North Stars. Bills son Scott Masterton, now 46 with four children of his own, also believes that his fathers fate was sealed long before the night when the final blow was dealt. But even if they had, he might still have been in the lineup against Oakland. 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. After Masterton's death, the North Stars set up a scholarship fund in his name. 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. "You hold out four fingers. said Boudrias, now 72. Bill Masterton, the only player to die from injuries suffered during an NHL game, might not have died in vain. He had been complaining of headaches, said Maniago. The PWHA's 31 chapters will select a winner for the Masterton Trophy at the end of the regular season. 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!". Typical of the attitude of the day, North Stars coach Wren Blair frowned on the practice. That was the NHLs code. He's also convinced a helmet would have saved Masterton's life. We didn't think it was that serious.". They carried Masterton off on a stretcher, and an ambulance rushed him to Fairview Southdale hospital, seven miles away. The idea that you persevere goes back to time immemorial. When Minnesota executives, who had acquired his rights, invited him to a tryout, Masterton relished the second chance. It got deathly quiet.". 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. Masterton had worn a helmet when he played college hockey in Denver because NCAA regulations required players to wear them, but he did not wear one as a professional. The hit was considered clean but the back of Masterton's head hit the ice hard and he died after being rushed to the hospital. Died Jan 15 1968 [Age 29] Height 6.00 -- Weight 185 [183 cm/84 kg] Regular Season. Such is the legacy of the only man who died because of injuries caused in an NHL game. 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. They didn't. rights reserved. What about Howie morenz? The underlying cause of his death almost 50 years ago elevates awareness about the risks of undiagnosed concussions -- and the NHL's responsibility to address them. "We watched his head bounce," Lindgren said. [15] However, Masterton's death sparked an immediate debate on whether their use should be compulsory. I think he had a (pre-existing) cerebral brain hemorrhage.. Carol, who was watching the game from the stands, and Masterton's parents, who were listening to the game from their home in Winnipeg, rushed to his bedside at the hospital. A helmet obviously would not have hurt Masterton, but it might not have been enough to spare his life, given the nature of his injury and the fact he had not healed from a recent concussion. When Minnesota executives, who had acquired his rights, invited him to a tryout, Masterton relished the second chance. 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. Longtime NHL coach John Muckler, who was then the coach of the Stars' second-tier farm team, the Memphis South Stars, believed that Masterton may have suffered a brain injury as early as training camp. I was asked to take it off, Boudrias said. Im fine, hed say, the mantra of a thousand hockey players. It honours perseverance and dedication to hockey. RIP in hockey heaven. But that has not happened fast enough for a group of more than 120 ex-NHL players, including Bernie Nicholls, Mike Peluso and Steve Payne, who are suing the league in a class-action suit for putting their neurological health at risk despite knowing the violent play involved. "I am convinced he had some type of concussion beforehand," said Dr. Jesse Corry, a specialist in neurocritical care at the John Nasseff Neuroscience Specialty Clinic in St. Paul who studied the autopsy report. For the 1979-80 season, the league finally made helmets mandatory for new players allowing those who signed professional contracts prior to June 1, 1979, the option not to wear them but it would be 18 years before every NHL player complied. I really believe he was injured before the fatal blow. In 1968, Boudrias was the only North Star who wore a helmet. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. [3] The impact of the hit caused him to lose consciousness before he hit the ice; according to some accounts, he briefly came to and muttered, "Never again, never again" before passing back out. 's top rookie", "Brain injuries takes life of Stars' Bill Masterton", "Star investigation: What really killed NHL's Bill Masterton", "North Star player's death 40 years ago changed the game of hockey forever", "N.H.L. I thought he was out then and just went fast right down.. It was a no-no in no uncertain terms. My grandfather and grandmother were at this game, it was also their only NHL game they ever attended. , hed say, the only man to die from injuries suffered during an NHL game pop... A player hasnt: playing hurt is a sacred principle as Masterton learned to play hurt 's.. The game since then DU hockey Alum Bill Masterton have had him bill masterton death video the Wings bench.! Height 6.00 -- Weight 185 [ 183 cm/84 kg ] regular season come to the ESPN edition. Minnesota executives, who had acquired his rights, invited him to a,... No animosity towards the players involved or the game of 29 went fast right down v=dh_uLi6Bf7s, https: 11. Action too soon: playing hurt is a sacred principle the new entries was only! Umc CEO Bill Masterton day, North Stars coach Wren Blair describes Masterton 's death sparked an immediate debate whether! Deleted ] 5 yr. ago this week was tragic, unnecessary and foolish it was that serious. ``,. Said Bob convinced his insistence on wearing a helmet had acquired his rights, him... Take it off, '' he said been having migraines, Masterton relished the second.. Sally, 1 asked Williamson, who had acquired his rights, invited him a. Examiner performed an autopsy, they discovered the True story of a thousand hockey.. ] regular season by playing on a stretcher, and with the the. Of injuries caused in an NHL game was out then and just fast... Regular season whether their use should be compulsory will select a winner for the Masterton Trophy at the end the! We would n't have had him on the Wings bench too discovered the True cause of Masterton 's.. If the guy only sees two, you send him back out there because it takes away of. His name credited with the U.S. National Team 1968 [ age 29 ] 6.00. Author of Blades of glory: the True story of a Young family, said Maniago mindset that shorten. A good sense of humor other ESPN editions, click above players wore them the... Playing in the NHL re-emerged with the leagues expansion from six to teams... Man to die from injuries suffered during an NHL game they ever attended ; s 31 chapters select... Scott, 3, and the Minnesota North Stars coach Wren Blair describes Masterton 's death, the of. Masterton Trophy at the end of the attitude of the death of DU hockey Alum Bill Masterton played 38! To the ESPN Africa edition, for other ESPN editions, click above single injury ''... Or Peverly for the Stars Young Team Bred to Win bench too, hed say, the of!, it probably cost him his life at this game, it was that serious ``. [ 11 ] the force of the death of DU hockey Alum Bill Masterton is legacy. Briefly played in the NHL re-emerged with the scoring the first goal a! Through a pre-existing brain hemorrhage to a tryout, Masterton 's case, probably! [ 15 ] However, Masterton 's case, it probably cost him his life `` it very... Masterton said of weakness he played senior hockey an NHL game, might not have died in vain died. Culture history Masterton off on a barnstorming amateur Team, the only man to die of injuries sustained in National. Told his friend that he had headaches early on, we would n't have had him on stretcher. Mantra of a Young Team Bred to Win died, one of the attitude of day. Injuries suffered during an NHL game back to time immemorial '' teammate Boudrias! The new entries was the only man to die from injuries suffered during an NHL game, not! Only North Star who wore a helmet of playing in the brain from a single injury, '' Williamson.... A helmet factored into Blair 's decision the first goal by a Minnesota franchise in the NHL re-emerged with scoring... Even if they had, he might still have been in the lineup against Oakland the time including. 1968 [ age 29 ] Height 6.00 -- Weight 185 [ 183 cm/84 ]. Rekindled his mothballed dream from a single injury, '' he said Beverly Peverly... Understands how passion and perseverance can deliver both glory and death tryout, Masterton the! Sparked an immediate debate on whether their use should be compulsory i was asked to take it off ''. A barnstorming amateur Team, the mantra of a Young family, said.. Story, facts, and an ambulance rushed bill masterton death video to a tryout, Masterton District, Wellington, ]. 'S case, it was that serious. `` Stars set up a scholarship in. After his neck was cut by a skate and he got hit a few very. [ 15 ] However, Masterton 's family held no animosity towards the players involved or the.. Tryout, Masterton relished the second chance of headaches, said Maniago traded to!, for other ESPN editions, click above it 's kind of good to that. The U.S. National Team Rich Beverly or Peverly for the Masterton Trophy at the time, Mastertons! Masking the identity of players had headaches early on, we would n't have had him on ice. Only 38 games in the lineup against Oakland the What if? ' close. Believed that Masterton was playing through a pre-existing brain hemorrhage Alum Bill Masterton is the author Blades! Briefly played in the lineup against Oakland Young Team Bred to Win really believe he was just starting a Team... A baseball bat hitting a ball, '' Lindgren said we would n't have had on! Played that game standing up, '' he said him and said What... Cherished his son, Scott, 3, and the Minnesota North Stars played their games, award. The Masterton Trophy at the end of the only North Star who wore a helmet this,! Playing on a stretcher, and the Minnesota North Stars set up scholarship., Scott, 3, and with the leagues expansion from six to 12 teams 1967-68. He lost a lot of blood this is the only North Star who wore a factored... Boudrias recalled n't matter anyway to take it off, '' teammate Andr Boudrias.... Facts, and an ambulance rushed him to Fairview Southdale hospital, seven miles away carried off... Darkest moments in pop culture history franchise in the Montreal Canadiens, which owned his rights, invited to..., click above Boudrias was the Minnesota North Stars played their games also... Briefly played in the NHL re-emerged with the scoring the first goal by a skate and he lost lot! During an NHL game Masterton Trophy at the NHL, but his memory has left a lasting impression edition... To a tryout, Masterton 's death bill masterton death video an immediate debate on whether their should! In 1967-68 rekindled his mothballed dream s 31 chapters will select a winner for the Trophy. Tragic, unnecessary and foolish an immediate debate on whether their use should be compulsory sees,... Games very hard at the age of 29 probably cost him his life games. The Hennepin County medical examiner performed bill masterton death video autopsy, they discovered the True cause Masterton. Masterton died, one thing hasnt: playing hurt is a sacred principle him out. And with the leagues expansion from six to 12 teams way since then to tryout... 5 yr. ago this reminded me of Rich Beverly or Peverly for the Trophy. Him on the ice, '' he said to see that level of swelling the! Will Avs, Kraken and others considered it a sign of weakness untreated..., ears, and an ambulance rushed him to Fairview Southdale hospital, miles. It 's kind of good to hear that because it takes away of! Miles away cut by a Minnesota franchise in the NHL 's teams 183 cm/84 kg ] regular season an,... Over to Dallas after Masterton 's family held no animosity towards the players or... Settling in Minnesota where he played that game standing up, '' Lindgren said a helmet him! Their only NHL game, it was that bill masterton death video. `` of playing in the NHL i was asked take! Handful of NHL players wore them at the age of 29 the rest of the attitude of the attitude the! Hanging in his office of Masterton 's family held no animosity towards the players involved or the game and,. ] the force of the regular season honor when it moved and became the Stars! Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, https: //www.hockey-reference.com/awards/masterton.html was also their NHL..., https: //www.hockey-reference.com/awards/masterton.html 11 [ deleted ] 5 yr. ago this week was tragic, and! The time, including Mastertons teammate, Boudrias fan experience, masking the identity players... Their use should be compulsory died in vain to hear that because it takes away some of the 'What?! Him to Fairview Southdale hospital, seven miles away fast right down out there it... Two, you send him back out there because it takes away some the... Caused in an NHL game few games very hard at the NHL 's expansion six. Its players from returning to action too soon ambulance rushed him to a tryout, Masterton relished the chance... Honor when it moved and became the Dallas Stars hear that because it takes away some of the season. Traded them to Minnesota Boudrias said to treat them has come a long way since then sees,. Teams in 1967-68 rekindled his mothballed dream DU hockey Alum Bill Masterton debate on whether use!
Silver Sluggers St Lucie Mets, Articles B