Garth Boesch
Garth Vernon Boesch ( born October 7, 1920 in Milestone, Saskatchewan; † 14 May 1998) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played in his time from 1937 to 1950 among others for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the National Hockey League.
Career
Garth Boesch began his career as a hockey player with the Notre Dame Hounds, for which he was active from 1937 to 1940 in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. He then played two seasons for the Regina Rangers from the SSHL and a year working for the Lethbridge Maple Leafs from the Alberta Senior Hockey League. After the defenders had abandoned in the 1943/44 season with the hockey, he played in the 1944/45 season for Winnipeg RCAF in the WNDHL. He then moved to the Pittsburgh Hornets of the American Hockey League, for whom he in the 1945/46 season in 49 games total 28 points scorer, including 15 goals scored. In the summer of 1946, the Canadian was engaged by the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League, with which he 1947, 1948 and 1949 three times in a row the prestigious Stanley Cup won. In addition, he took in 1948 and 1949 respectively with the Maple Leafs at the NHL All-Star Game in part, where he finished his career in 1950.
Boesch was in the 1940s one of three NHL players with a mustache. For the Leafs, he formed mostly with Bill Barilko a Verteidigerduo, with whom he formed the so-called " Maginot Line ". The two settled down on their knees at opponent shots on goal to block this. Boesch was considered one of the most underrated defender in NHL history. On 14 May 1998 Boesch died at the age of 77 from a heart condition.