Detroit Red Wings legend Ted Lindsay passes away at 93

Embed from Getty Images 4- time Stanley Cup champion and Detroit Red Wings legend Ted Lindsay has passed away. Lindsay who was born in 1925, played 14 of his 17 NHL seasons with the Red Wings, winning Stanley Cups with Detroit in 1950, 1952, 1954, 1955. The left wing was nicknamed “Terrible Ted” for his toughness on the ice.

Ted Lindsay, leaves a huge legacy behind. Ted’s on-ice excellence was matched by his off-ice commitment to improving the lives of his colleagues, as well as children. He started the players union. So players are better off because of his hard work.

He started the Ted Lindsay foundation for autism and children. Lindsay’s interest in autism was sparked nearly two decades ago, when he was working out with John Czarnecki, his physical therapist and trainer. Czarnecki had a young son who had been  diagnosed with autism. In true Ted Lindsay fashion he jumped in to help out a teammate.

To date the Ted Lindsay foundation has raised $3.5 million for autism related causes. On ice Lindsay though small 5′ 8″ was not to be messed with. Period. There was a reason players called him “Terrible Ted.” He famously said “I do not worry about the big guy, they fall farther than little guys. That’s all.”

Ted was the league’s top scorer in 1949-50 with 78 points. He’s sixth in goals in franchise history with 335 and fifth in penalty minutes, with 1,423. He received more than 600 stitches during his time as a player. Lindsay scored 335 of his 379 goals in a Red Wings sweater, ranking sixth all-time in team history behind Gordie Howe (786), Steve Yzerman (692), Alex Delvecchio (456), Sergei Fedorov (400) and Henrik Zetterberg (337).

For myself I will remember the kind gentle Ted Lindsay who made regular stops at Detroit Red Wings games. I always make it a point to walk past his statue in Little Caesar’s Arena. As our family has been touched by autism. Mr. Lindsay was a loud voice for these children. A voice that is now in the hands of current Red Wing, Dylan Larkin.

Detroit has lost a champion for the city. Autism has lost a champion for the cause. It is a sad day in Motown.