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Alex Delvecchio |
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Born: December 4, 1931
Birth Place: Fort William, Ontario
Position: Center - Left Wing
First Season: 1950 - 51
Last Season: 1973 - 74
Jersey Number: 10
Jersey Retired: November 10 - 1991
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| Biography |
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Born December 4,1931 in Fort William, Ontario, Alex Delvecchio played junior hockey with the Oshawa Generals. Alex was only the second player in NHL history to play more than 20 seasons for one team, 12 of which he served as the team captain. He played over 22 full seasons and parts of two others with the Detroit Red Wings before his retirement on November 9, 1973. In 13 of those seasons, he scored 20 or more goals. He netted a career total of 456 goals and 825 assists, plus 35 goals and 69 assists during the playoffs. Alex had his best season in 1968-69 when he scored 25 goals and assisted on 58, for a total of 83 points.
Alex was named to two positions on all-star teams - center in 1952-53 and left wing in 1958-59. Sidelined by an ankle injury for 22 games during the 1956-57 season, he missed only 21 other games during his career. Alex played in 1,549 regular season and 121 playoff games.
Alex accumulated only 383 penalty minutes (never more than 37 in a season) and only 29 more in playoff competition. That accomplishment, among others, was a testament to his reputation as an exceptionally clean player and one of the things that earned him three Lady Byng Trophies.
Alex played on many outstanding Detroit teams, including the Stanley Cup winners in 1952,1954 and 1955. His teams also won the Prince of Wales Trophy six times, when the trophy went to the team that finished first in regular season play. When he retired, Alex ranked second only to Gordie Howe in NHL records for games played, seasons played, total points and assists. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1977.
His round, pleasant face and warm smile earned him the nickname "Fats" early in his career. Alex Delvecchio was the consummate team player on a team full of superstars. Often overshadowed by his famous teammates Ted Lindsay, Gordie Howe and Sid Abel, Alex was the game's embodiment of class and sportsmanship. In 1991, the Red Wings honored his accomplishments by declaring November 10th "Alex Delvecchio Day" and retiring his jersey to the rafters.
Alex Delvecchio is living proof that nice guys don't finish last.
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| Games and Awards |
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1952-53 All-Star Selection - Second Team
1958-59 Lady Byng Memorial Trophy - All-Star Selection - Second Team
1965-66 Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
1968-69 Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
1973-74 Lester Patrick Trophy
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