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Norm Ullman |
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Born: 1935
Birth Place: Provost, Alberta
Position: Center
First Season: 1951 - 52
Last Season: 1976 - 77
Jersey Number: 7
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Biography |
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Norm Ullman was born in 1935 in Provost, Alberta. He moved to Edmonton as a boy and cut his hockey teeth with the Maple Leaf Athletic Club and later the Edmonton Oil Kings of the WCJHL. His great play caught the attention Detroit Red Wings scout Clarence Mohr. Ullman then joined the Edmonton Flyers of the WHL where he received a crucial year of development under the tutelage of coach Norman "Bud" Poile.
Ullman turned pro during the 1955-56 season, launching an illustrious NHL career at center. Ullman scored twenty plus goals in sixteen season, including twelve years in a row from 1957 - 1969. His consistent production was matched by his durability; over a ten-year span he only missed twenty-one games. His incredible mixture of production and durability made him an invaluable asset to his team and a respected and disruptive force to his opponents.
Ullman is widely considered one of the best stick handlers and forecheckers to have ever played the game. His trademark move involved skating to the opponent's blue line, delaying, passing to the wing and then moving down to the slot for a return pass or rebound. His finished his career with some astonishing numbers, including 490 regular season goals and 739 assists for a total of 1229 points. He also holds the NHL playoff record for shortest amount of time between two goals, a lightning fast five seconds!
Ullman's great play was not limited to the regular season. In 106 Stanley Cup playoff games, he scored 30 goals and racked up 53 assists. And although his teams never accomplished the ultimate goal, he is still regarded as one of the best players in NHL history. He was selected to the Hall of Fame in 1982 and in 1998 was ranked number 90 on The Hockey News list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players.
Ullman played for the Red Wings from 1955 - 1968. In January 1968, he was elected president of the NHL Player's Association. The Player's Association was just starting to gain traction in the NHL and was viewed as disruptive by team owners and management. In March 1968, he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs for a deal that sent Frank Mahovlich to the Red Wings. Ullman played with Toronto until June 1975, where he anchored one of their most consistent lines and helped the Player's Association gain acceptance in the locker room. After a great career in the NHL, Ullman returned to the Edmonton Oilers of the WHA in 1975, and scored 130 points over the next two seasons.
Norm Ullman retired in 1977 and was selected into the Hall of Fame in 1982. His career featured: records, sparkiling stats, brilliant play and a dedication to improve the rights of individual players through the NHL Player's Association.
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| Games and Awards |
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1965 - Most goals (Later called Maurice 'Rocket' Richard Trophy)
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| Seasonal Statistics |
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