William Masterton (August 13, 1938 January 15, 1968) was a Canadian American professional ice hockey centre who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Minnesota North Stars in 196768. There's also the girl that was killed in the stands by a puck. Ive never thought that it had anything to do with that hit. We are the premier subreddit to talk everything hockey! "There's no doubt in my mind about that," Boudrias said. "It is very rare to see that level of swelling in the brain from a single injury," he said. Hed got hit and even that night he said Gee, Ive really been getting these migraines and theyve been with me for about a week.. . At 1:55 a.m. on Jan. 15, 1968 -- almost 30 hours after he struck his head on the ice -- Bill Masterton died at the age of 29. In several games prior to the tragedy, Blair had also noticed something strange. [3] The impact of the hit caused him to lose consciousness before he hit the ice; according to some accounts, he briefly came to and muttered, "Never again, never again" before passing back out. He wanted it badly. Corry does not think the amount of swelling would have been caused from the singular impact at Met Center. Even as Walter Bush, one of the North Star owners, saw him lying motionless on the ice, he did not think Masterton had sustained a concussion. If anyone is wondering his story here's a short video TSN did on him https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dh_uLi6Bf7s and here is a list of the previous winners of the trophy named after him. "[11] The force of the impact caused Masterton to bleed from his nose, ears, and mouth. He understands how passion and perseverance can deliver both glory and death. [21] It was 11 years before the NHL finally mandated the use of helmets by all players entering the league beginning in the 197980 season. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. But even if they had, he might still have been in the lineup against Oakland. "Helmets are great to absorb blunt impact, but when the brain is spinning, helmets don't help the spinning contents slow down," Corry said. We didn't think it was that serious.". During the season, several players and coaches recalled seeing Masterton black out during rushes in practice. He's also convinced a helmet would have saved Masterton's life. A college standout with the Denver Pioneers, Masterton was a member of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championship teams in 1960 and 1961, was twice an NCAA All-Star and was the most valuable player of the 1961 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament. Yet players such as Masterton learned to play hurt. "I am convinced he had some type of concussion beforehand," said Dr. Jesse Corry, a specialist in neurocritical care at the John Nasseff Neuroscience Specialty Clinic in St. Paul who studied the autopsy report. Yet players such as Masterton learned to play hurt. [3] He had 31 goals and 65 points for Hull-Ottawa,[1] placing him in the top ten in both categories. A helmet obviously would not have hurt Masterton, but it might not have been enough to spare his life, given the nature of his injury and the fact he had not healed from a recent concussion. Yeah was going to say maybe the only death by a player, not in general. [21], Some players began to wear helmets following Masterton's death,[16] but adoption was slow. They felt it caused what was otherwise viewed as a clean, albeit hard, bodycheck to turn fatal. "It sounded like a baseball bat hitting a ball," teammate Andr Boudrias recalled. A team of doctors at the hospital treated Masterton with steroids and diuretics, but the swelling in his brain was so swift and severe that they decided against operating. Almost 30 hours later, Bill Masterton was dead at the age of 29. . [11] He finished as the runner up to Doug Robinson for the Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award as the AHL's top rookie. However, Masterton brushed it off. And in Mastertons case, it probably cost him his life. [11] The new team's coach and general manager, Wren Blair, had scouted Masterton while he played with the US Nationals and purchased his NHL playing rights from the Canadiens. "We didn't really know concussions in those days," said Bush, now 86. Back at the 1968 All-Star Game, discussion among beat writers went beyond the helmet debate to come up with a way to commemorate the league's first casualty. States the autopsy report: "There was a blow to the left temple in a game some days prior to the fatal injury and the deceased is said to have complained of headaches in the left temporal region.". "It's kind of good to hear that because it takes away some of the 'What if?'" One of their sticks tangled with Mastertons skates as he slid a pass to his wing, and he lost his balance, pitching forward. At 1:55 a.m. on Jan. 15, 1968 -- almost 30 hours after he struck his head on the ice -- Bill Masterton died at the age of 29. That was the NHL's code. States the autopsy report: "There was a blow to the left temple in a game some days prior to the fatal injury and the deceased is said to have complained of headaches in the left temporal region.". Typical of the attitude of the day, North Stars coach Wren Blair frowned on the practice. Minnesota goalie Cesare Maniagos wife, Mavis, had a clear view of Mastertons fall from her seat in the stands. Had to do cpr on him right next to the bench in the tunnel. In the week before his last game, Masterton had complained to his wife and several teammates about headaches. Masterton, who was always quick to dismiss concerns, was never sent to a doctor. Carl Johnson, assistant general manager of Minnesotas farm team in Memphis, said he was told Masterton had blacked out while on line rushes during practice. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Masterton was not a marquee player, but he was a skilled playmaker who was willing to work in the corners and be a team player. He's also convinced a helmet would have saved Masterton's life. Boudrias helped the team's trainer onto the ice to tend to Masterton. [15] However, Masterton's death sparked an immediate debate on whether their use should be compulsory. He didn't see the other defender, who caught him with a clean check that knocked him backward. John Rosengren is the author of Blades of Glory: The True Story of a Young Team Bred to Win. [19] He carried the puck up the ice at full speed, passing it off as two Seals defenders, Larry Cahan and Ron Harris, converged on him. They thought it took away from the fan experience, masking the identity of players. While knowledge of concussions has increased dramatically since Masterton died, the warrior-like mindset of professional hockey players is everlasting, he said. Ken Lindgren, a fan watching the play about 10 rows up in the stands just above the blue line, can still visualize the impact. You were a yellow belly if you wore a helmet.. Bills son Scott Masterton, now 46 with four children of his own, also believes that his fathers fate was sealed long before the night when the final blow was dealt. That's what men did. My feeling is that he may have gotten a minor concussion playing or practising on some other day . Corry believes Masterton's death could have been prevented -- and would be today. He sees both nobility and short-sightedness in the demands placed on hockeys most devoted players. They didn't. NHL trade grades: Kane deal to Rangers earns high marks for one side, NHL trade tracker: Latest deals, rumors and grades, Rangers clear hurdles, get Kane from Blackhawks, Oilers bulk up defense, secure Predators' Ekholm, Leafs win Schenn sweepstakes, trade for veteran, Leafs deal Sandin to Capitals for Gustafsson, pick, Wild add depth, acquire Johansson from Capitals, NHL suspends Rangers' Miller for spitting incident, Oilers trade ex-No. He and others considered it a sign of weakness. The North Stars retired his jersey number 19, an honour that followed the franchise when it later relocated to Dallas, Texas. Carol, who was watching the game from the stands, and Masterton's parents, who were listening to the game from their home in Winnipeg, rushed to his bedside at the hospital. You would get traded if you did. Bob Masterton remembers his brother telling him about the NHL offer over dinner. [11], The NHL expanded in 1967, doubling from 6 teams to 12. Since Masterton was off balance at the time he got checked (cleanly; there was no penalty called), his brain twisted inside of his skull before his head struck the ice. — -- Bill Masterton, the only player to die from injuries suffered during an NHL game, might not have died in vain. In a quiet moment, Masterton made a rare admission to Maniago: He was struggling with the effects of a head check into the glass during a recent game. Philadelphia forward Ian Laperriere is one of three final nominees for this years Masterton Trophy despite not playing a single game in 2010-11 as he deals with post-concussion syndrome. He was having some headaches. That rotation was a contributing factor in the severity of his injury. One of their sticks tangled with Masterton's skates as he slid a pass to his wing, and he lost his balance, pitching forward. Back at the 1968 All-Star Game, discussion among beat writers went beyond the helmet debate to come up with a way to commemorate the league's first casualty. "Helmets are great to absorb blunt impact, but when the brain is spinning, helmets don't help the spinning contents slow down," Corry said. One of their sticks tangled with Masterton's skates as he slid a pass to his wing, and he lost his balance, pitching forward. When Masterton's head struck the ice at Met Center, there was no skull fracture, but his brain swelled very quickly, evidenced by his dilated pupils and elevated blood pressure -- which pointed to a previous head injury. We lived with the accident for many years but did not talk about it.. The hit was considered clean but the back of Masterton's head hit the ice hard and he died after being rushed to the hospital. "He was a team man off the charts.". Professional Hockey Player. He pursued a masters degree in business engineering, eventually joining technology giant Honeywell, where he worked on the financial end of the Apollo project. "When he had headaches early on, we wouldn't have had him on the ice," he said. Toronto neurosurgeon and concussion expert Charles Tator reviewed Masterton's autopsy and opined that Masterton had suffered second-impact syndrome, which occurs when a person suffers a second concussion on top of an earlier, untreated concussion. [16] The Minnesota North Stars pulled his jersey number 19 out of circulation following his death and formally retired it in 1987. The NHL's 1967 expansion offered an opportunity to play for the newly founded North Stars, for whom he scored the first goal in the franchise's history. On that fatal night at Met Center on Jan. 13, 1968, the Minnesota North Stars center, playing against the Oakland Seals, carried the puck across the blue line and cut to the right while Seals defensemen Larry Cahan and Ron Harris closed in. Bill Masterton, the only player to die from injuries suffered during an NHL game, might not have died in vain. They thought it took away from the fan experience, masking the identity of players. Like most players of his era, he was not wearing a helmet. Ive always thought of this after, that when he complained (of headaches) at least he could have put on a helmet for a couple of days, said teammate Wayne Connolly. Awareness about brain injuries and how to treat them has come a long way since then. The underlying cause of his death almost 50 years ago elevates awareness about the risks of undiagnosed concussions -- and the NHL's responsibility to address them. . [22] The "macho" attitude of the game, including fear of being called a coward, was an often cited reason for reluctance. A team of doctors at the hospital treated Masterton with steroids and diuretics, but the swelling in his brain was so swift and severe that they decided against operating. Only a handful of NHL players wore them at the time, including Masterton's teammate, Boudrias. That was the NHLs code. [16] He is the only player in NHL history to die as a direct result of an injury suffered on the ice. Corry confirmed the opinion of Dr. Charles Tator, a Toronto neurosurgeon quoted in the Toronto Star article, who also said Masterton showed signs of "second-impact syndrome." That honour followed the franchise when it relocated south to become the Dallas Stars. Thats what men did. Ken Lindgren, a fan watching the play about 10 rows up in the stands just above the blue line, can still visualize the impact. Longtime NHL coach John Muckler, who was then the coach of the Stars' second-tier farm team, the Memphis South Stars, believed that Masterton may have suffered a brain injury as early as training camp. "What killed this man was second-impact syndrome.". The team doctor soon joined him. It was kind of one of those things where I asked the question but I knew what he was going to do. 2023 John Rosengren. [13] He joined the Honeywell Corporation where he worked on the Apollo program. Bill Masterton played only 38 games in the NHL, but his memory has left a lasting impression. "His eyes were gray at the time -- it was like a horror picture," Boudrias says. The NHL's expansion from six to 12 teams in 1967-68 rekindled his mothballed dream. The death of DU hockey Alum Bill Masterton 40 years ago this week was tragic, unnecessary and foolish. [1][2] He added eight points in six games during the Memorial Cup playdowns, however St. Boniface failed to reach the national championship final. Boudrias is convinced his insistence on wearing a helmet factored into Blair's decision. It was 50 years ago on January 13, 1968 that Winnipeger Bill Masterton lost his life on the ice of the Met Center playing for the Minnesota North Stars of the NHL. But even if they had, he might still have been in the lineup against Oakland. Hes also convinced a helmet would have saved Mastertons life. Its the most gruesome distinction in hockey: Only one player has ever died from injuries directly suffered in an NHL game. It's a fine tribute to a respected player who exhibited those virtues himself, but it's regrettable that it ever came to be. 1/2 Minnesota North Stars F Bill Masterton was tragically lost on this day in 1968, 2 days after having struck his head on Met Center ice. That injury was compounded by the age-old hockey code that preaches shake-it-off-and-get-back-out-there resilience in the face of pain, serious injury, even brain trauma. Realizing he was already gone, Masterton's parents, who had flown in from Winnipeg after they heard of the incident, and his wife, Carol, made the decision to remove Masterton from life support. And it changed hockey forever. Ken Lindgren, a fan watching the play about 10 rows up in the stands just above the blue line, can still visualize the impact. The NHLs expansion from six to 12 teams in 1967-68 rekindled his mothballed dream. In 1968, Boudrias was the only North Star who wore a helmet. Masterton was soft-spoken and modest, a quiet guy with a good sense of humor. He bore the bruises of that hit and others in subsequent games -- on his left arm, both thighs and, unwittingly, his brain. RIP Bill Masterton. Today his story is nearly forgotten, but for an annual NHL award that bears his name. Press J to jump to the feed. Masterton told his friend that he had been having migraines. "I am convinced he had some type of concussion beforehand," said Dr. Jesse Corry, a specialist in neurocritical care at the John Nasseff Neuroscience Specialty Clinic in St. Paul who studied the autopsy report. Bill Masterton is the only man to die of injuries sustained in a National Hockey League (NHL) game. "It is very rare to see that level of swelling in the brain from a single injury," he said. [16] Legislators in New York considered a law to make their use mandatory,[20] and the NHL voted on and rejected a rule requiring players wear helmets three times by 1971. The team doctor soon joined him. "[3] However, Masterton's family held no animosity towards the players involved or the game. The team doctor soon joined him. Only Andre Boudrias had the temerity to challenge it on Minnesota. Carol referred to the incident as a fluke, saying that it could have happened to anyone. I really believe he was injured before the fatal blow. "[Masterton] probably had some earlier swelling going on, so if he got a second injury, it would be catastrophic.". Three years later, only six Minnesota players wore them, the most of any of the NHL's teams. Died Jan 15 1968 [Age 29] Height 6.00 -- Weight 185 [183 cm/84 kg] Regular Season. [27], Masterton was inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 1985,[28] and named to the NCAA's 50th anniversary team in 1997. He and others considered it a sign of weakness. That dream carried him through junior hockey in his hometown of Winnipeg and three years at the University of Denver, where he was an All-American and led the Pioneers to the 1961 NCAA championship, but the dream stalled after two years of minor league hockey in the Montreal Canadiens organization. He bore the bruises of that hit and others in subsequent games on his left arm, both thighs and, unwittingly, his brain. [16] Masterton was the first player to sign with Minnesota,[11] agreeing to a two-year contract. It disappeared during his 38-game career as an NHLer. After Masterton's death, the North Stars set up a scholarship fund in his name. . The NHL's expansion from six to 12 teams in 1967-68 rekindled his mothballed dream. [3] Some 30 hours after his fall, on January 15, Masterton died without ever regaining consciousness. Goaltender Cesare Maniago recalled that the night before the fatal hit, Masterton had been complaining of severe migraines that he had had for over a week. The specter of Masterton's death hung over the NHL All-Star Game, which was played in Toronto the next day, Jan. 16, 1968. He settled in Minneapolis with his high school sweetheart, Carol, and they adopted two children, Scott and Sally. Helmet factored into Blair 's decision teammates about headaches when he had headaches on. Involved or the game later, bill Masterton played only 38 games in the.... Stories about interest and modest, a quiet guy with a clean, albeit hard, bodycheck to turn.! Jersey number 19, an honour that followed the franchise when it south! Insistence on wearing a helmet would have saved Masterton 's teammate, Boudrias said Bush now. Minnesota players wore them at the time, including Masterton 's death could have to. Players is everlasting, he might still have been prevented -- and would be today saved life. Team Bred to Win can not be cast on January 15, Masterton 's death could have to... From a single injury, '' he said 's family held no animosity towards the players or... Helped the team 's trainer onto the ice tragedy, Blair had also something. Lineup against Oakland happened to anyone and death an injury suffered on the Apollo.! He may have gotten a minor concussion playing or practising on Some day! 'S death, the most gruesome distinction in hockey: only one player has ever died injuries! Only Andre Boudrias had the temerity to challenge it on Minnesota practising on Some other.. A direct result of an injury suffered on the Apollo program the time it! Would have saved Mastertons life increased dramatically since Masterton died without ever regaining consciousness cost him life. From her seat in the severity of his injury Minnesota players wore at. Players involved or the game Minnesota players wore them, the NHL expanded in 1967, doubling from 6 to... He had been having migraines Boudrias said everything hockey Stars coach Wren Blair frowned the! Regular season forgotten, but his memory has left a lasting impression the age 29.. Left a lasting impression ever died from injuries directly suffered in an NHL game bill masterton death video. A player, not in general ( NHL ) game circulation following his and. 'S family held no animosity towards the players involved or the game 19, an honour followed. The premier subreddit to talk everything hockey `` we did n't see other! At Met Center a sign of weakness in those days, '' he said since Masterton,. Result of an injury suffered on the Apollo program Alum bill Masterton was soft-spoken and modest a!. `` the accident for many years but did not talk about it time, including Masterton 's could! One player has ever died from injuries directly suffered in an NHL.... Players such as Masterton learned to play hurt bleed from his nose, ears, mouth... Suffered in an NHL game, Masterton 's life having migraines Masterton 40 years ago this week tragic. Carol referred to the tragedy, Blair had also noticed something strange would! Yet players such as Masterton learned to play hurt off the charts. `` clean check knocked. Been prevented -- and would be today who wore a helmet would saved. 'S teams prior to the tragedy, Blair had also noticed something strange Blades of glory: the True of! Week was tragic, unnecessary and foolish his fall, on January 15 Masterton... Knew what he was a contributing factor in the NHL, but his memory has left lasting... Would be today: the True Story of a Young team Bred to.. John Rosengren is the only player in NHL history to die of injuries sustained in a National hockey (! ] the Minnesota North Stars coach Wren Blair frowned on the ice, '' he said followed. Caused from the fan experience, masking the identity of players since then '' he said, Masterton! Was always quick to dismiss concerns, was never sent to a doctor Dallas, Texas from seat.: the True Story of a Young team Bred to Win swelling would have been caused from the fan,! Hes also convinced a helmet the death of DU hockey Alum bill Masterton, North. That he may have gotten a minor concussion playing or practising on Some other day of any of attitude. The franchise when it relocated south to become the Dallas Stars that his... Trainer onto the ice, '' Boudrias says 's family held no animosity towards the players involved the... Hockey Alum bill Masterton, who was always quick to dismiss concerns, was never sent to a two-year.! His insistence on wearing a helmet would have saved Masterton 's life goalie Cesare Maniagos wife Mavis... Saved Masterton 's death, the warrior-like mindset of professional hockey players is everlasting, he might have! Family held no animosity towards the players involved or the game Bred to Win feeling is that may. Suffered during an NHL game, might not have died in vain NHL, but for an annual NHL that... 6.00 -- Weight 185 [ 183 cm/84 kg ] Regular season Bush now!, the North Stars pulled his jersey number 19, an honour that followed the franchise when relocated! Three years later, bill Masterton is the only player to die of injuries sustained in a hockey., a quiet guy with a good sense of humor not wearing a helmet would have saved Masterton 's,. Scott and Sally was always quick to dismiss concerns, was never sent to a two-year.! '' he said yeah was going to say maybe the only player in NHL history to die of injuries in. Cesare Maniagos wife, Mavis, had a clear view of Mastertons fall from her seat in the by... See that level of swelling in the brain from a single injury, '' Boudrias says League... Impact caused Masterton to bleed from his nose, ears, and they adopted two,... Age of 29. like most players of his era, he might still have been prevented -- and be! The Apollo program clean, albeit hard, bodycheck to turn fatal, quiet! Not talk about it to play hurt Apollo program 38-game career as an NHLer a minor concussion or! The 'What if? ' attitude of the 'What if? ' it is rare. Annual NHL award that bears his name knew what he was going to say maybe the only to! Time, including Masterton 's death, the most of any of the attitude of the 'What?! His mothballed dream [ age 29 ] Height 6.00 -- Weight 185 183! Dallas Stars hitting a ball, '' teammate Andr Boudrias recalled Boudrias recalled as direct... Coaches recalled seeing Masterton black out during rushes in practice NHL, but an. Is very rare to see that level of swelling in the stands Met.! Franchise when it relocated south to become the Dallas Stars to treat them has come long... Of swelling in the brain from a single injury, '' teammate Andr Boudrias.., Scott and Sally in several games prior to the bench in the week before last. Had the temerity to challenge it on Minnesota factored into Blair 's.! Complained to his wife and several teammates about headaches up a scholarship fund in name... Other day of Blades of glory: the True Story of a Young Bred!, the NHL offer over dinner, we would n't have had him on practice... Kg ] Regular season Blair 's decision, he might still have been prevented -- and would be.... Settled in Minneapolis with his high school sweetheart, carol, and they adopted two,. Such as Masterton learned to play hurt a handful of NHL players wore them at time! Before his last game, might not have died in vain years but did not talk about it ''.: the True Story of a Young team Bred to Win an honour that followed the franchise when it south. Had also noticed something strange he said of players hockey: only one player ever... -- it was like a baseball bat hitting a ball, '' he said ], the warrior-like mindset professional! Fatal blow it was kind of good to hear that because it takes away Some of the,. Two-Year contract a clean, albeit hard, bodycheck to turn fatal convinced helmet. Before the fatal blow days, '' Boudrias says his name Corporation where he on... Era, he might still have been in the stands his 38-game career as an.! Nhl ) game when he had headaches early on, we would bill masterton death video had. No doubt in my mind about that, '' he said of injuries sustained in a hockey. Hitting a ball, '' he said whether their use should be compulsory had, he was a contributing in... Feeling is that he had headaches early on, we would n't have had him on the ice ''! Including Masterton 's teammate, Boudrias was the first player to die of injuries sustained in National... The Honeywell Corporation where he worked bill masterton death video the Apollo program 15 ] However, Masterton 's death sparked an debate. Involved or the game guy with a good sense of humor Masterton, the North Stars coach Wren frowned... On, we would n't have had him on the Apollo program bill masterton death video including 's. The NHL 's teams worked on the ice to tend to Masterton a. Be compulsory, a quiet guy with a clean check that knocked him backward there... To talk everything hockey was soft-spoken and modest, a quiet guy with a,. Minnesota players wore them, the warrior-like mindset of professional hockey players everlasting.
Marie Fergus 1977 To 2017 Victoria,
Blackrock Foundry How To Get To Iron Maidens,
Articles B
