Ted Lindsay

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Lore & Background

Lindsay played left wing on the famous 'Production Line' alongside center Sid Abel and right winger Gordie Howe, a trio dubbed by media and fans. Despite his small stature compared to other league players, he was a fierce competitor whose rough play was known for its physical edge. His individual brilliance peaked in 1949–50 when he won the Art Ross Trophy with 78 points while Detroit secured the Stanley Cup. Over the next five years, he helped the Red Wings win three more championships. Lindsay also created a lasting tradition as the first player to lift the Stanley Cup and skate it around the rink. His legacy was further cemented in 2017 when he was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in history.

In Their Own Story

In the late 1950s, Lindsay attended a pension plan meeting representing Red Wings players and discovered the plan was kept secret. Later, at a promotion with football and baseball players, he learned that conditions in other leagues were far superior. Convinced that only an association could improve player conditions, he joined forces with Montreal's Doug Harvey to organize the first National Hockey League Players' Association. They contacted all players secretly, asking for support to form an 'association' rather than a 'union.' Support was nearly unanimous. However, when they sought certification, owners like Toronto's Conn Smythe and the Norris syndicate fought back. Lindsay was stripped of his captaincy and traded to the struggling Chicago Black Hawks. Red Wings management planted false rumors and showed a fake contract with an inflated salary to the press, causing Detroit players to reject the union. Despite these setbacks, Lindsay filed an anti-trust lawsuit alleging a monopoly since 1926.

Reader's Guide

Ted Lindsay's career began in 1944 at age 19 after his performance in the Ontario Hockey Association Junior A League earned him a tryout with Detroit. He played only one game for the Indianapolis Capitals in the AHL during the 1944–45 season before establishing himself in the NHL. His tenure was marked by a long feud with Toronto owner Conn Smythe due to Lindsay's amateur roots in Toronto. After his playing career, he worked as a sports broadcaster on NBC and served as general manager of the Red Wings. He also coached the Hillsdale College Chargers from 1976 to 1977 and the Red Wings for a time. In recognition of his efforts, the Lester B. Pearson Award was renamed the Ted Lindsay Award in his honor.

Did You Know?

• Lindsay was the first player to lift the Stanley Cup and skate it around the rink, starting the tradition.
• In 2017, Lindsay was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in history.
• The Lester B. Pearson Award was renamed the Ted Lindsay Award in his honor due to his role in establishing the original Players' Association.
• Lindsay scored over 800 points in his Hockey Hall of Fame career and won the Art Ross Trophy with 78 points in 1950.

The Production Line and On-Ice Dominance

Lindsay formed the 'Production Line' with Sid Abel and Gordie Howe, becoming one of the NHL's premier players. Known as 'Terrible Ted,' his toughness caused the league to introduce penalties for elbowing and kneeling. He won the Art Ross Trophy in 1950 with 78 points and led Detroit to four Stanley Cups. In March 1957, he appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated alongside Gordie Howe. Lindsay was also the first player to lift the Stanley Cup and skate it around the rink, starting a tradition that continues today.

The Fight for Player Rights

Lindsay led an effort to organize the NHL Players' Association in the late 1950s after discovering players earned less than $25,000 a year while owners profited from sold-out arenas. He and Doug Harvey organized nearly unanimous support among players. When they pushed for certification, management retaliated: Lindsay was stripped of his captaincy and traded to Chicago, while others were benched or sent to the minors. Jack Adams spread false rumors and showed a fake inflated contract to discredit the movement. Though the 1958 union failed, an out-of-court settlement in February 1958 granted many demands, including a $7000 minimum wage and increased pension benefits.

A Career Defined by Conflict

Lindsay's career was marked by a feud with Toronto owner Conn Smythe. Playing amateur hockey in Toronto before joining Detroit earned him Smythe's enmity, which lasted his entire career. The conflict intensified when Lindsay led the union movement. Owners targeted him to break the association, leading to his trade to Chicago and a smear campaign by Red Wings management. Despite these challenges, Lindsay initiated an anti-trust lawsuit alleging a monopoly since 1926. The players had a strong case involving the Norris syndicate's hidden revenues and Frank Calder's past actions. Although a union was not formed in 1958, a permanent one would be established in 1967.

Life After the Skates

After retiring from playing, Lindsay worked as a sports broadcaster on NBC before becoming general manager of the Red Wings. He also served as head coach for the Hillsdale College Chargers from 1976 to 1977 and coached the Red Wings for a time. In 2017, he was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in history. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation produced the movie 'Net Worth' in 1995, depicting his battle to create the NHLPA based on the book of the same name.