Detroit Red Wings: Remembering Terrible Ted Lindsay

I remember watching a Detroit Red Wings game in the mid-1990s on UPN 50 as a youngster.  The marvelous Ray Lane was interviewing “Terrible Ted Lindsay,” and I will never forget Lane looking into the camera saying “they call him terrible Ted because he was so good.”

The nickname “Terrible Ted” described his ferocious play on the ice.  The game was so rough and tumble, nothing even close to today’s game.  There used to be a lot of clinching and grabbing, plenty of stick work.  The players used to use their sticks as a weapon.

The goaltenders didn’t wear helmets, and the skaters wouldn’t even consider it.  When you look closely at the photos or if you had the opportunity to meet these “old-time” players the scars are deep and repetitive.

Ted Lindsay, although fierce on the ice was a tremendous ambassador and an astounding humanitarian off of the ice.  Ted Lindsay and Doug Harvey laid the groundwork to form the first union to fight for better pay and working conditions.

The movement didn’t sit well with Detroit Red Wings ownership, and that led to his eventual trade to the Chicago Blackhawks.  Lindsay would later express he didn’t do it to cause anger between the players and ownership, he merely was looking out for his fellow NHLers.  He thought the players needed a stronger voice as a group rather than as individuals.

The transformation from terrible to terrific came later in life.  He started the Ted Lindsay Foundation.  The foundation helps fund many different charities.  In the article mentioned above they list some of the recent donations;

"The foundation announced last week a $1-million donation to Oakland University’s Center for Autism Outreach Services, or OUCARES, for programs for teens and young adults with autism. “If nothing else, that’s probably his legacy more than anything. He didn’t have to do it, but he has always believed in doing it,” LaPaugh says. The Lindsays started the foundation with money from a charity golf outing. Over the years, it contributed $1 million to Beaumont Children’s Hospital for the Ted Lindsay Foundation HOPE Center, and also has supported the Miracle League of Plymouth, Autism Speaks-Jackie’s World, the Macomb-Oakland Regional Center, the FAR Therapeutic Arts and Recreation programs and Dutton Farm, among others. “His philosophy is that it’s not about him,” LaPaugh says. “It’s about helping others. He’s grateful for his fan base. He doesn’t go around life thinking about himself. His legacy is that he was a Red Wing. He came to Detroit as a Red Wing and left as a Red Wing, from a hockey standpoint."

Ted Lindsay was the first captain to ever skate around with the Stanley Cup held high over his head.  A tradition that lives on today.  He had mentioned various times that he felt that it was a great way to share the moment with the fans.  The fans who spent their hard earned money to watch the product on the ice.  The same fans that in a roundabout away pay for the players’ salaries.

Lindsay forwent his 1966 Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony because women, including wives and family, were not permitted to attend.  The rule would later be changed.

Later in his career, Lindsay rejoined the Detroit Red Wings as their general manager and for a very brief stint the head coach.

All in all, Lindsay could be regarded as a better man off the ice than he was on the ice and that’s the ultimate compliment.  I was not even a thought during Ted Lindsay’s playing days so I can’t say he was my “idol,” but I’ve always been a Detroit Red Wings fan and respect the rich history the franchise has to offer.

Next time you are at a game look up to the rafters and take in the jersey’s that sway suspended over the ice.  Tell your kids a quick story about the legends like Lindsay that have dawned the Winged wheel prior to the ones that wear it today.  Rest easy seven.