1957-58 Topps 64 Lou Fontinato Hockey Card (Front)
1957-58 Topps 64 Lou Fontinato Hockey Card (Back)
Card Notes
Lou is one of the hardest hitting of defensemen. He set an NHL record of 202 minutes in the penalty box during first full season. Variously known as Rock ‘n’ Roll and “Leaping Lou”.
En Français
Rude joueur de défense. A sa première saison complète, il a établi un record dans la NHL de 202 minutes au banc des punitions. Appellé “Rock ‘n’ Roll Lou” et “Leaping Lou.”
Details
Lou Fontinato’s NHL record of 202 penalty minutes would stand until 1962-63, ironically Leaping Lou’s final season in the National Hockey League. That year, Howie Young of the Detroit Red Wings shattered the mark, sitting 273 PIM.
Despite the penalty total in his first full season, Fontinato didn’t get a fighting major until the 38th game of the season for the Rangers. Certainly for Lou, it was memorable. With 18 seconds remaining in what would be a 6-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on January 11, 1956, Lou squared off with the legendary Maurice Richard. Both received fighting majors and neither went on to the Gordie Howe Hat Trick that night, although the Rocket did have an assist.
Between 1954-55 and 1962-63, Lou Fontinato played in 536 regular season and 21 playoff games in the National Hockey League with the Rangers and Canadiens. His career came to an abrupt end in the latter stages of 1962-63 when he hit the boards head first on a missed check and was paralyzed for a month after.