The Origins Era All-Team
 

Herbert A. “Herbie” Lewis

Left Wing

Detroit Cougars/Falcons/Red Wings (1928 – 1939)

When he arrived in Detroit for his rookie campaign in 1928, Lewis quickly established himself as the NHL’s fastest skater. His blinding speed allowed him to be a solid defensive player and a nifty playmaker. Tough, elusive and smart, Lewis participated in the NHL’s first All-Star game in 1934 and played in the longest game in NHL history as the Red Wings defeated the Montreal Maroons, 1-0, in six overtimes on March 24-25, 1936. Lewis won two Stanley Cups with the Red Wings (1936, 1937) and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1989. His great-grandson is television personality/journalist Willie Geist.

Detroit Career totals: 1928-1939

GP-484 G-147 A-161 PTS-308 PIM-248 GWG-27

Sydney Harris “Syd” Howe

Center

Detroit Red Wings (1934-1946)

The St. Louis Eagles traded Howe to Detroit in February of 1935, giving Howe the stability he craved as he quickly settled into the Red Wings lineup for the next 12 years. A skilled and versatile player, Howe, chewed up ice time logging big minutes by splitting time between left wing and center, killing penalties and occasionally playing defense if there was a need. On Feb. 3, 1944, against the New York Rangers, he set a franchise record by scoring six goals in a single game. Howe won three Stanley Cups with Detroit (1936, 1937, 1943) and finished top-five in voting for the Hart Trophy three times. Howe retired after the 1945-46 season and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1965. Gordie Howe’s (no relation) rookie year was the 1946-47 season, meaning the Red Wings had a star forward named Howe in their lineup for 37 consecutive seasons!

Detroit Career totals: 1934-1946

GP-515 G-188 A-248 PTS-436 PIM-134 GWG-20

Modere Fernand “Mud” Bruneteau

Right Wing

Detroit Red Wings (1935-1946)

Modere Bruneteau was given the nickname “Mud” when he a child because one of his teachers, Brother George, could not pronounced his first name, calling him “Mud” instead. It stuck with him his whole life. An extremely dependable two-way player during his 11-year Red Wings career, Bruneteau will forever be remembered for ending the longest game in NHL history. On March 24, 1936, rookie Bruneteau scored at the 16:30 mark of the sixth overtime period, giving the Red Wings a 1-0 victory over the Montreal Maroons in game one of their semifinal playoff series. The game ended at 2:25 a.m. after 176 minutes and 30 seconds of play. With most of his players exhausted, Detroit coach, Jack Adams was looking for fresh legs and put the rested Bruneteau on the ice and into the NHL record books.

Detroit Career totals: 1935-1946

GP-410 G-141 A-139 PTS-280 PIM-80 GWG-20

Ebenezer Ralston “Ebbie” Goodfellow

Defenseman

Detroit Cougars/Falcons/Red Wings (1929 – 1943)

Detroit’s first superstar player. Goodfellow was an outstanding center playing the position his first three seasons for the Cougars/Falcons before moving to defense, where he excelled. A smooth skater and exceptional stickhandler, Goodfellow rarely made a mistake. He was a clean but tough player, and was the first Red Wing to win the Hart Trophy (1939-40). Goodfellow won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1936 & 1937 - Detroit’s first two cups. He was the last player-coach to have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup in 1943. Goodfellow was captain of the Red Wings for five seasons – 1934-35 & 1938-1942. A founding member of the Detroit Red Wings Alumni Association, Goodfellow was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1963. He wore No. 5 during his entire 14-year career with Detroit.

Detroit career totals: 1929-1943

GP- 557 G-135 A-191 PTS -326 PIM-511 GWG-21

John Sherratt “Black Jack” Stewart

Defenseman

Detroit Red Wings (1938 – 1950)

Considered to be the hardest hitting defenseman of his generation, which earned Stewart the nickname “Black Jack,” Stewart was never caught out of position delivering a devasting bodycheck and was known as a hardnosed but clean player. After leveling an opponent, he would smile at them. A defensive defenseman, Stewart carried one of the heaviest sticks in the league, saying, “I don’t use it for scoring, I use it for breaking arms.” His style of play led to him having many injuries and scars, but he never altered his aggressive game. Stewart won two Stanley Cups with the Red Wings in 1943 & 1950. He was named to the NHL First All-Star team three times and the Second All-Star Team twice. Stewart played in four NHL All-Star games and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1964.

Detroit Career totals: 1938-1943; 1945-1950

GP-502 G-30 A-78 PTS-108 PIM-704 GWG-4

Norman Eugene “Normie” Smith

Goalie

Detroit Red Wings (1934-39; 1943-1945)

In an era where teams only carried one goalie and job security as Detroit’s netminder was fragile at best. Normie Smith put together one of the best two year stretches in NHL history. During the 1935-36 & 1936-37 seasons, Smith led the NHL in victories each season, backstopped two Stanley Cup championships, won the Vezina Trophy (1936-37) and played in the longest game in NHL history. On March 24, 1936, Smith shut out the Montreal Maroons 1-0 in game one of their semifinal playoff series. Rookie Mud Bruneteau scored at the 16:30 mark of the sixth overtime, ending the game at 2:25 a.m. after 176 minutes and 30 seconds of play. Smith lost 12 pounds of body weight and made a record 92 saves. He began wearing a peaked cap in the minors to shield his eyes from the glare of the overhead arena lights.

Detroit Career totals: 1934-39; 1943-1945

GP-178 W-76 L-71 T-31 GAA-2.26 SO-17

Playoffs: 1936-1937

GP-12 W-9 L-2 GAA-1.32 SO-3