1962-63 Topps 41 Eric Nesterenko Hockey Card (Front)
1962-63 Topps 41 Eric Nesterenko Hockey Card (Back)
Card Notes
Lanky right winger is all elbows, a defensive leech. Came up to Toronto with gaudy notices, but disappointed Leafs. Hawks then took him in ’56 draft, and he’s done best work since. Eric pursues college studies ‘twixt games.
En Français
Ce grand ailier droit est un joueur défensif tenace. Un produit de Toronto avec la publicité tapageuse, il a désapointé les Leafs. Les Hawks l’ont obtenu en échange en 1956 et il est devenu un très bon joueur depuis. Il continu à étudier entre les joutes.
Details
After being sent to the minors in his fourth season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Eric Nesterenko was picked up by the Chicago Blackhawks in the off-season, along with Harry Lumley. Lumley went directly to Chicago’s AHL affiliate, the Buffalo Bisons, and would never play for the Hawks. Nesterenko would remain in Chicago for the next 16 years.
In between his time with the Buds and Hawks, Eric made the most out of his only stint in the minors. In 1955-56, he was sent to the Winnipeg Warriors in the WHL. He appeared in 20 regular season games with the club before helping the Warriors to a WHL championship.
Between 1951-52 and 1971-72, Eric Nesterenko appeared in 1,219 regular season and 124 playoff games in the National Hockey League with the Maple Leafs and Blackhawks. He ranks 121st in the NHL in all-time games played. He made an attempt at a major league comeback in 1973-74, playing 29 games with the Chicago Cougars in the WHA.