Lionel Hitchman

Lionel Hitchman ( born November 3, 1901 in Toronto, Ontario, † December 19, 1968 in Glens Falls, New York) was a Canadian ice hockey player (defender), who from 1922 to 1934 for the Ottawa Senators and Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League played.

Career

During his junior time Hitchman played with the Toronto Aura Lee in the OHA. 1921 he moved to the Ottawa New Edinburgh in the OCHL. At the end of the season 1922/23, he moved to the Ottawa Senators in the National Hockey League, with whom he won the Stanley Cup. In the course of the season 1924/25, the Senators sold him to the Boston Bruins newly established.

In Boston, the defensively oriented defender had his best time. At first he took over the work still ahead, but after two offensive defenders stood with Eddie Shore and Dit Clapper in the squad, he was largely responsible with Sprague Cleghorn for defensive. With this role, he was extremely important for the Bruins and helped the Bruins in 1929 was their first Stanley Cup win.

Immediately after the end of his career Bruins honored him on 22 February 1934 following his last game against his former team, the Ottawa Senators by locked his shirt number 3 and never forgave. He was the first hockey player who was bestowed this honor.

Even today falls in nominations in the Hockey Hall of Fame again his name, but his hard-working, but unobtrusive style of play had not previously been sufficient for an appeal.

NHL stats

Sporting successes

• Stanley Cup: 1923 and 1929

Personal Awards

• OCHL Second All-Star Team: 1922 and 1923