1958-59 Topps 16 Ed Litzenberger Hockey Card (Front)
1958-59 Topps 16 Ed Litzenberger Hockey Card (Back)
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Card Notes
Big gun of the Hawks with 32 goals two straight years, former Calder Trophy winner in Montreal.
En Français
Vedette des Hawks avec 32 buts en deux ans. Gagnant du trophée Calder à Montréal.
Details
In his first year as team captain of the Chicago Blackhawks after taking over from Gus Mortson, Ed Litzenberger put up a career year in 1958-59. He score 33 goals and assisted on 44 for 77 points. Along with leading the team, he tied for fourth in the NHL for goal scoring with Andy Hebenton of the Rangers, 12 behind leader Jean Beliveau of the Montreal Canadiens.
Litzenberger’s 44 assists tied him for sixth with Bernie Geoffrion. In the race for the Art Ross Trophy, he finished fifth, just a single point behind Gordie Howe and 19 behind leader Dickie Moore. He also helped the Hawks qualify for the post season for the first time since 1952-53 and just the second time in 13 years.
Unfortunately, the numbers would drop drastically in 1959-60. Ed recorded just 12 goals in 52 games. The following year, he put in just ten goals in 62 games but at least was around for a Stanley Cup championship, the first of four over his career.
The line about him winning the Calder Trophy lacks some details. Not quite an ERROR, but most of that 1954-55 NHL season was actually spent with the Blackhawks. Litzenberger started the year playing 29 games for the Habs but it wasn’t until his arrival in Chicago for the final 44 games of the year before Ed put up rookie of the year numbers. Over his 44 games, he scored 16 and totaled 40 points. Combined, he finished with 23 goals and 51 points.
Between 1952-53 and 1963-64, Ed Litzenberger played 618 regular season and 40 playoff games in the National Hockey League with the Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs. Along with his four Stanley Cup titles, Ed also helped the Rochester Americans to a pair of Calder Cup wins. He is one of just seven players to win both the Calder Trophy and Calder Cup.