Watson was a key member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who became the NHL's first modern-era dynasty by winning the Stanley Cup in 1947, 1948, 1949 and again in 1951. He also played on the Detroit Red Wings' Cup-winning team in 1943.

The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, native played junior hockey in his home city before turning pro with the Brooklyn Americans in 1941. He scored 10 goals in his NHL rookie season for the last-place Americans, then has his rights transferred to the Red Wings in a dispersal draft after Brooklyn suspended operations following the 1941-42 season.

Watson bumped up his offensive numbers with his new team, finishing with 31 points (13 goals, 18 assists) in 50 games in 1942-43. He was scoreless in seven Stanley Cup Playoff games, but the Red Wings swept the Boston Bruins in the Cup Final for their third title since entering the NHL in 1926.

After two years in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II, Watson returned to the Red Wings in 1945-46. But his career took off after he was traded to the Maple Leafs on Sept. 21, 1946.

Watson, playing left wing on a line with center Syl Apps and right wing Bill Ezinicki, scored 19 goals for Toronto in 1946-47, then contributed five points (three goals, two assists) in 11 playoff games, helping the Maple Leafs begin their dynasty. He scored 21 goals in 1947-48, then had his best season in 1948-49, finishing with NHL career highs in goals (26) and points (45) -- all without taking a penalty.

After the Maple Leafs lost in the Semifinals in 1950, Watson became a five-time champion the following season; he assisted on the overtime goal by Toronto defenseman Bill Barilko in Game 5 that won the 1951 Stanley Cup.

Watson's time in Toronto came to an end when he was traded to the Chicago Black Hawks on Dec. 10, 1954. He played with Chicago through the 1956-57 season before retiring with 443 points (236 goals, 207 assists) in 809 NHL games, as well as 25 points (16 goals, nine assists) in 62 playoff games.

After retirement, he coached junior and senior hockey, guiding Windsor to the Allan Cup (Canada's senior amateur championship) in 1963.

Watson was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1994. He died on Nov. 19, 2002, at the age of 79.

NOTES & TRANSACTIONS

• Played in NHL All-Star Game (1947, 1948, 1949, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1955)
• Signed as a free agent by Brooklyn, October 10, 1941.
• Rights transferred to Detroit from Brooklyn in Special Dispersal Draft October 9, 1942.
• Traded to Toronto by Detroit for Billy Taylor, September 21, 1946.
• Traded to Chicago by Toronto for cash, December 10, 1954.