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47. Pat Stapleton

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47. Pat Stapleton

It could be argued that Pat Stapleton is one of the better players who seem to have been forgotten in the National Hockey League.  He shouldn’t be just a footnote, as he would develop into an excellent point man on the blue line with and the owner of an accurate and rapid slap shot. 

Stapleton was a large part of the Chicago Blackhawks two trips to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1971 and 193, and in the latter he would lead all skaters in post-season Assists.  Three times he was named a Second Team All-Star and even more importantly he played for Team Canada in the famed 1972 Summit Series.

What probably impacted Stapleton’s Hall of Fame resume in the eyes of many is that he jumped to the World Hockey Association.  While he was the Dennis A. Murphy Award (Defenseman of the Year) winner in the 1973-74 Season and also competed in the WHA version of the Soviet Summit Series, his WHA accomplishments likely are never considered.  Of course, he isn’t the only one.

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
  • Eligible Since: Thursday, 01 January 1981
  • Position: Defence
  • Games Played: 635 (372 WHA)
  • Notable Statistics:

    43 Goals (27 WHA)
    294 Assists (212 WHA)
    337 Points (239 WHA)
    +132 Plus/Minus (-38 WHA)**
    351 PIM (187 WHA)
    N/A Blocked Shots*
    N/A Hits*
    N/A Takeaways*
    N/A Giveaways*
    63.7 Point Shares***

    65 Playoff Games (28 WHA)
    10 Goals (2 WHA)
    39 Assists (21 WHA)
    49 Points (23 WHA)
    +4 Plus/Minus (-4 WHA)
    40 PIM (38 WHA)
    N/A Blocked Shots*
    N/A Hits*
    N/A Takeaways*
    N/A Giveaways*

    *These stats were first implemented in the 2007/08 Season.
    **Plus/Minus was not calculated in the WHA until the 1974-75 Season.
    ***Point Shares were not calculated in WHA Games.
  • Played For: Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks
  • Non-NHL Teams:

    Chicago Cougars (WHA)
    Indianapolis Racers (WHA)
    Cincinnati Stingers (WHA)
    Team Canada (Summit Series 1972 & 1974)
    St. Catharines Teepees (OHA)
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    Second Team All-Star (3) (1966, 1971 & 1972)
    All-Star (4) (1967, 1969, 1971 & 1972)
    WHA Dennis A. Murphy Trophy (1) (1974)
    First Team All-Star (WHA) (1) (1974)
    Second Team All-Star (1) (WHA) (1976)
    Most Defensive Point Shares (1) (1967)

     
  • Notable Top Ten Finishes: Top Ten Norris Trophy Finishes: 3rd in 1966, 4th in 1971 & 4th in 1972 2 Top Ten Assists Finishes 2 Top Ten Plus/Minus Finishes 3 Top Ten Defensive Point Shares Finishes 2 Top Ten Point Shares Finishes
  • Rankings: None

Should Pat Stapleton be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 98.1%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 1%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 1%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 0%
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