Stewart, a defenseman nicknamed "Black Jack" for his physical style of play, was one of hockey's most punishing body checkers during his 12 seasons in the NHL from 1938-52, the first 10 with the Detroit Red Wings and the final two with the Chicago Black Hawks.

Though he never scored more than five goals or finished with more than 19 points in any season, Stewart was a three-time NHL First-Team All-Star and two-time Second-Team All-Star.

Stewart traced his strength to his days working on his family's wheat farm in Pilot Mound, Manitoba.

His strength and toughness were evident until his last days in the NHL. He recovered and returned to play despite a spinal injury that required the removal of a ruptured disc early in the 1950-51 season, his first with Chicago; doctors had thought the injury could end his career and perhaps even force him to walk with a cane. Stewart left the NHL after being sidelined with a skull fracture during the 1951-52 season, though he played two seasons of senior hockey before retiring for good.

Stewart helped the Red Wings reach the Stanley Cup Final in each of the three seasons prior to serving two years in the Canadian Air Force during World War II. They lost to the Boston Bruins in 1941 and to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1942, then defeated Boston to win the Stanley Cup in 1943, when he was voted an NHL First-Team All-Star.

After returning from military service, he was a Second-Team All-Star in 1945-46 and 1946-47, then was voted a First-Team All-Star in 1947-48 and 1948-49.

Stewart also helped the Red Wings win the Stanley Cup again in 1950 before being traded to the Blackhawks, who immediately named him captain and assistant coach. He finished his NHL career in 1952 with 114 points (31 goals, 83 assists) in 565 NHL games, as well as 19 points (five goals, 14 assists) in 80 playoff games.

After retiring, Stewart spent a decade coaching senior hockey and the minor leagues before becoming involved in harness racing. He was 66 when he died on May 25, 1963, and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame one year later. In 2010, a new arena in Pilot Mound was named the Black Jack Stewart Arena in his honor.

NOTES & TRANSACTIONS

• NHL First All-Star Team (1943, 1948, 1949)
• NHL Second All-Star Team (1946, 1947)
• Played in NHL All-Star Game (1947, 1948, 1949, 1950)
• Signed as a free agent by Detroit, October 27, 1937.
• Traded to Chicago by Detroit with Harry Lumley, Al Dewsbury, Pete Babando and Don Morrison for Metro Prystai, Bob Goldham, Gaye Stewart and Jim Henry, July 13, 1950.