Lionel Hitchman

Lionel Hitchman (born November 3, 1901 in Toronto, Ontario - died December 19 1968) was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played 12 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Ottawa Senators and Boston Bruins.

Playing career

After playing two seasons of senior league hockey in Ottawa with the Ottawa New Edinburghs while serving in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Hitchman was signed by the Senators in 1922. He played three seasons for the Senators, and was on a Stanley Cup winner when the Senators defeated the Edmonton Eskimos in 1923, becoming notable for his hardrock defence style.

Midseason in 1925, Hitchman's rights were purchased by the first-year Boston Bruins. He was named the team's first captain in 1927, anchoring the team's defence. He played ten years in all with Boston, much of it as Eddie Shore's defence partner, and was on a second Stanley Cup winner in 1929 with the Bruins.

Retirement

Hitchman retired with 27 goals and 33 assists in 414 career NHL games. He also recorded 523 penalty minutes, the NHL career record at the time.

As the first captain of the Boston Bruins, his player number 3 was retired; his was the first number in NHL history to be retired.

He died in Glens Falls, New York on December 19 1968.

External links

* [http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php3?pid=2301 Hitchman's statistics at hockeydb.com]
* [http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=12957 Hitchman's profile on the Hockey Hall of Fame website]