Former NHL'er Elmer Lach dies at 97

[Kaner]

Elmer Lach, a Hockey Hall of Famer who won the Hart Trophy in 1945 while centering the famous "Punch Line" with Maurice Richard and Toe Blake, and helped the Montreal Canadiens win the Stanley Cup three times, died Saturday at age 97, the Canadiens announced.

Lach was born in Nokomis, Saskatchewan, on Jan. 22, 1918. He played 14 seasons in the NHL, all with Montreal, before retiring after the 1953-54 season. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1966.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman issued the following statement:

"The National Hockey League deeply mourns the passing of Elmer Lach -- center on Montreal's legendary 'Punch Line' with Toe Blake and Maurice Richard, owner of the sole assist on Richard's 50th goal in 50 games in 1944-45 and someone who, at 97 years of age, was just a few months younger than the League itself. The League sends heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of this three-time Stanley Cup champion, two-time scoring champion and 1945 Hart Trophy winner."

Lach joined the Canadiens in 1940, but it wasn't until the 1943-44 season that coach Dick Irvin put him between Blake, a veteran left wing, and Richard, a 22-year-old right wing trying to shake the tag of being injury-prone. The trio clicked instantly, providing the talent and toughness that helped Montreal win the Stanley Cup in 1944 and again in 1946.

Lach's crowning individual achievement was winning the Hart as the NHL's MVP in 1944-45. He finished with 26 goals and an NHL-record 54 assists for a League-leading 80 points in a 50-game season. Winning the Hart was all the more impressive because he had to beat out Richard, his linemate, who became the first player to score 50 goals in 50 games. The Punch Line's 220 combined points in '44-45 set an NHL record that lasted more than a decade.

When Lach won the scoring title again in 1947-48, one year after he missed much of the season with a fractured skull, he was the first recipient of the newly created Art Ross Trophy, which is still given to the NHL's leading regular-season scorer.

Lach scored the Cup-winning goal in 1953, but after a multitude of injuries, he retired a year later. When he did so, he was the League's all-time leading scorer with 623 points (including 215 goals) in 664 games, all with Montreal. He had 19 goals and 64 points in 76 playoff games.

Following his retirement, Lach was a prominent figure at Canadiens games and events, as well as a successful businessman. As part of their centennial celebration in 2009, the Canadiens retired Lach's No. 16, which had been previously raised to the rafters in 1975 to honor one of his protégés, Henri Richard.

Throughout his retirement, Lach demonstrated the kind of toughness that was a signature trait during his playing days, a period that saw him break his nose seven times, crack his jaw twice, shatter his cheekbone and sever two veins on a skate blade. In 2005, Lach, then 87, refused to acknowledge any pain when he sustained a double fracture to his ankle. A month after his 93rd birthday in 2011, Lach fell after shoveling snow at his home in Pointe Claire, Quebec, and broke his hip. He returned home 12 weeks later, joking with Montreal Gazette sportswriter Dave Stubbs that "I was still breathing, which was good.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=761454

Very classy player, and its sad to see him go. My condolences to his family and loved ones.

[-DLC-]

The history of this game is etched in some of the players we're now saying goodbye to. Was a whole different era back then - so much respect to the men who played a tough, gritty game.

It's a good life that extends a century, especially in line with injuries sustained earlier on. Much respect, may he rest in peace. Thank you, to all the legends who were building blocks for the game we love so much today.

[Ghostsof1915]

Imagine playing with no helmets, light leather padding, and that's it. Even the goalies in that era didn't have facemasks.

True warriors. You kept your stick down at or below your waist because no one wanted to hit each other in the face. You had 3 lines, 4 defensemen, and 1 goalie. And the guys who played in the NHL were playing against the top 100 players at the time. To be an NHL goalie you had to be in the top 6 to keep your job.

I can only imagine how cool it would be to have Richard as your winger. Just give him the puck and let him go. He was almost a point a game during his career. 664 games, 215 goals, 408 assists, 623 points, and 478 PIMs. 3 Stanley Cups including scoring the Cup winning goal against the Boston Bruins.

97 is a long life, and I hope it was well lived. RIP and best wishes to his family and friends. If they play hockey in heaven look out.

The Punch Line is reunited.

[Boudrias]

You must be getting old when you remember that NHL hockey meant CBC radio not TV. When you remember Toe Blake as coach. The #1 goalie was Terry Sawchuk, Bobby Hull was the up and comer and Howe was undisputed best player in the world.

As nostalgic as I might get I realize the game has changed so much and the players are bigger and better. It does not make the challenge meant by players of old any less. They were as tough as they come. In my era it was players born to the Depression and survivors of WW II.

The beauty of the game has always been the player over coming physical force with a finesse that yielded victory. No matter how the NHL tries to manage that conflict it will always be the essence of the game.

[Ghostsof1915]

You must be getting old when you remember that NHL hockey meant CBC radio not TV. When you remember Toe Blake as coach. The #1 goalie was Terry Sawchuk, Bobby Hull was the up and comer and Howe was undisputed best player in the world.

As nostalgic as I might get I realize the game has changed so much and the players are bigger and better. It does not make the challenge meant by players of old any less. They were as tough as they come. In my era it was players born to the Depression and survivors of WW II.

The beauty of the game has always been the player over coming physical force with a finesse that yielded victory. No matter how the NHL tries to manage that conflict it will always be the essence of the game.

Well said.

[-AJ-]

Dang, this guy was such a legend. Not many stars from the 40s are left. I guess that leaves Milt Schmidt as the oldest former NHL player left. Schmidt is about 1.5 months younger than Lach.

[hatedkid666]

Rough year for NHL legends.

RIP

[-DLC-]

Imagine playing with no helmets, light leather padding, and that's it. Even the goalies in that era didn't have facemasks.

True warriors. You kept your stick down at or below your waist because no one wanted to hit each other in the face. You had 3 lines, 4 defensemen, and 1 goalie. And the guys who played in the NHL were playing against the top 100 players at the time. To be an NHL goalie you had to be in the top 6 to keep your job.

I can only imagine how cool it would be to have Richard as your winger. Just give him the puck and let him go. He was almost a point a game during his career. 664 games, 215 goals, 408 assists, 623 points, and 478 PIMs. 3 Stanley Cups including scoring the Cup winning goal against the Boston Bruins.

97 is a long life, and I hope it was well lived. RIP and best wishes to his family and friends. If they play hockey in heaven look out.

The Punch Line is reunited.

Exactly what I was thinking when I posted my comment...even starting typing it out but got lazy. No helmets is unthinkable in this day and age but these warriors fearlessly went to battle like that. Really something.

You must be getting old when you remember that NHL hockey meant CBC radio not TV. When you remember Toe Blake as coach. The #1 goalie was Terry Sawchuk, Bobby Hull was the up and comer and Howe was undisputed best player in the world.

As nostalgic as I might get I realize the game has changed so much and the players are bigger and better. It does not make the challenge meant by players of old any less. They were as tough as they come. In my era it was players born to the Depression and survivors of WW II.

The beauty of the game has always been the player over coming physical force with a finesse that yielded victory. No matter how the NHL tries to manage that conflict it will always be the essence of the game.

Haha...to this day my Dad "listens" to games on TV with his eyes closed. It goes back to having to do it that way (visualizing through the play by play).

[Gross-Misconduct]

Only 97? What a shame.

[Canuck Surfer]

The beauty of the game has always been the player over coming physical force with a finesse that yielded victory. No matter how the NHL tries to manage that conflict it will always be the essence of the game.

Wow. Just wow!

So perfectly said, almost poetic!

[Salmonberries]

RIP