Busher Jackson
Hockey Hall of Fame, 1971
Born (1911-01-17)January 17, 1911
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Died June 25, 1966(1966-06-25) (aged 55)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position Left wing
Defence
Shot Left
Played for Toronto Maple Leafs
New York Americans
Boston Bruins
Playing career 1929–1944

Ralph Harvey Jackson (January 17, 1911 – June 25, 1966) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. Jackson played 15 National Hockey League (NHL) seasons between 1929 and 1944 for the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Americans, and Boston Bruins. He was a member of the Maple Leafs' famed Kid Line with Joe Primeau and Charlie Conacher, one of the early NHL's dominant scoring trios. Jackson led the league in scoring in 1931–32 and was a member of Toronto's 1932 Stanley Cup championship team. He was named to five NHL All-Star teams and played in three benefit All-Star Games, including the Ace Bailey Benefit Game, the first All-Star contest in NHL history.

Off the ice, Jackson was well-known for his high-spending lifestyle and drinking habit that prompted his trade from Toronto to New York in 1939. He was remembered as one of hockey's tragic figures following his retirement, as he struggled with alcoholism and financial difficulty. In the 1960s, Jackson was a figure of controversy within the Hockey Hall of Fame selection committee, as the Hall used his lifestyle and personal problems to block his induction. He finally earned a place in the Hall of Fame in 1971, five years after his death. Jackson is also an honoured member of Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, which he was inducted into in 1975. He was the brother of fellow NHL player Art Jackson.

Playing career

Junior

Jackson grew up in Toronto, playing his youth hockey at "Poverty Pond" in the city's east side before playing at the Ravina Rink where he was discovered by Frank Selke, the assistant general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Selke signed Jackson to a contract and assigned him to the Toronto Marlboros in the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA)'s junior league for the 1927–28 season.[1] Jackson scored four goals in four regular season games that season, and though the Marlboros were considered a favourite to win the Memorial Cup, the team was defeated in the Eastern final by the Ottawa Gunners.[2] He returned to the team for the 1928–29 season, scoring 10 goals and 14 points in 9 regular season games.[3] He then led the OHA playoffs with seven goals and nine points as the Marlboros won the OHA championship.[4] Jackson was a leading offensive player for Toronto in the 1929 Memorial Cup playdowns, scoring 15 goals and 25 points in 13 games.[3] The Marlboros reached the final, defeating the Elmwood Millionaires in a best-of-three series to win the franchise's first Memorial Cup championship.[5]

Toronto Maple Leafs

Joining the Maple Leafs for the 1929–30 season, the 18-year-old Jackson was the youngest player in the National Hockey League (NHL).[4] In his league debut against the Montreal Canadiens, Jackson knocked over his idol Howie Morenz with a bodycheck. Assessing the youngster's potential following the hit, Morenz offered, "you'll do."[6] Jackson appeared in 31 games for the Leafs, scoring 12 goals and adding 6 assists.[3] He missed some time due to injury, during which he earned his nickname from the team's trainer, Tim Daly. According to Jackson: "Daly asked me to carry sticks for him. I told him I wasn't a stick boy, I was a hockey player. So he said I was nothing but a fresh busher [a term for someone who had just been called up from the minors] and the name stuck."[7]

During his first season, Jackson was placed on a line with two other young players. Charlie Conacher, a teammate of his with the Marlboros, played right wing and Joe Primeau was their centre. The trio formed what became known as the "Kid Line," one of the early NHL's most famous scoring trios.[8] Primeau was the line's playmaker, whose passes set up both Conacher and Jackson's goal-scoring ability.[9]

three young men stand side by side. Each has short, dark hair parted in the middle and are wearing identical team jackets with a stylized maple leaf logo on the left breast.
The Kid Line of Conacher, Primeau and Jackson

Following a 31-point season in 1930–31, Jackson led the NHL in scoring with 53 points in 1931–32. At 21 years, 3 months old, he became the youngest scoring champion in NHL history, a record he would hold until 1980–81, when it was broken by Wayne Gretzky.[4] Jackson's 28 goals that season was the most he would score in his career,[3] and he was named to the NHL's First All-Star team for the first time of his career.[4] He added five goals in the 1932 playoffs, including one of Toronto's six in the deciding game of the 1932 Stanley Cup Finals, a 6–4 victory over the New York Rangers that clinched Toronto's first Stanley Cup championship since 1922.[10]

The Kid Line remained Toronto's top offensive threat for several years; Jackson, Conacher and Primeau were the team's top three scorers for four consecutive seasons between 1932 and 1935. Following his league-leading season, Jackson led Toronto offensively in 1932–33 with 44 points.[11] On November 20, 1934, Jackson set an NHL record when he became the first player in NHL history to score four goals in a period, notching four markers in the third period of a 5–2 victory over the St. Louis Eagles. The record has not been surpassed through 2019, though eleven players have matched it.[12] He was named to three additional All-Star teams during this time, placed on the second team in 1932–33 and on the first team in both 1933–34 and 1934–35.[4] Additionally, Jackson played in the Ace Bailey Benefit Game on February 14, 1934.[13] Held in support of injured teammate Ace Bailey, it was the first all-star game in NHL history.[14] Jackson scored two goals for the Maple Leafs in a 7–3 victory over the NHL All-Stars.[13]

Following four consecutive 20-goal seasons, Jackson slipped to 11 goals in 1935–36.[4] The Kid Line was finally broken up. While they remained consistent offensive performers, they lacked defensive ability and opposing teams began to find success playing their own top scoring lines against the trio.[15] Primeau subsequently retired in 1936 in favour of his business interests.[9] Despite the break-up, Jackson scored 21 goals and 40 points in 1936–37 to earn his fourth and final appearance on the first All-Star team.[4]

Prior to the start of the 1937–38 season, Jackson played with the NHL All-Stars in the Howie Morenz Memorial Game, the NHL's second benefit all-star contest.[16] In regular league play, his offence entered a decline as he scored 34 points that season, then 27 in 1938–39.[3] Following the season, the Maple Leafs traded him to the New York Americans along with Jimmy Fowler, Murray Armstrong, Doc Romnes and Buzz Boll in exchange for Sweeney Schriner on May 18, 1939.[17] The five-for-one deal was unprecedented in NHL history at that time.[18]

New York and Boston

Prior to his first season in New York, Jackson played in his third benefit all-star game, the Babe Siebert Memorial Game, on October 29, 1939. He represented the NHL All-Stars in a 5–2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens.[19] In NHL play, he posted 12 goals and 20 points for the Americans, then improved to 26 points in 1940–41.[3] He was unable to come to terms with team manager Red Dutton on a new contract for the 1941–42 season however, and did not join the team at the start of the season.[20] The impasse lasted for half the season, until Dutton sold Jackson's rights to the Boston Bruins for $7,500 on January 4, 1942.[21]

Joining the Bruins gave Jackson the opportunity to play alongside his younger brother Art.[21] He played only 26 games that season due to his holdout, just over half of an NHL season of 48 games, scoring 12 points. Though he played the left wing throughout his career, the Bruins switched him part-time to defence when they lost players to injury or the Second world war.[4] He scored 34 points in 1942–43, and his 19 goals was Jackson's highest total in six seasons.[3] The Bruins reached the 1943 Stanley Cup Finals by defeating Montreal, but lost the series to the Detroit Red Wings in four straight games.[22] Jackson's playoff overtime goal on March 25, 1943, at the Forum would turn out to be the last Boston playoff overtime goal in Montreal until 1992.[23] Jackson played a final season in 1943–44, after which he announced his retirement as a player following a 15-year career.[24]

Personal life

Considered to have the looks of a movie star,[15] Jackson lived the lifestyle of a Hollywood actor during his playing career, spending money freely, driving fast cars, and attending posh parties. Maple Leafs' owner Conn Smythe unsuccessfully tried to convince Jackson to save his money for the future, even offering to match his player's savings dollar for dollar.[1] Jackson's habits, particularly his drinking, ultimately played a role in his trade away from Toronto.[25] Jackson's lifestyle came crashing down following his retirement as a player, as he no longer had the money to fund his pursuits.[1] He unsuccessfully tried to overcome his alcoholism,[26] lost two marriages to divorce, struggled to hold a job, and it was said that he could be found outside Maple Leaf Gardens trying to sell broken sticks of Maple Leaf players to try to make some money.[1] He emerged as one of hockey's tragic figures.[25]

Jackson suffered a series of injuries and ailments in his later years. In 1958, he broke his neck after falling down a flight of stairs. His recovery took 18 months and cost him mobility in his right hand. Two months after his release, Jackson returned to hospital with a bout of jaundice.[27] He was hospitalized again in 1962 following an epileptic seizure.[28]

As Jackson's health failed,[27] he became the focus of a controversy within the Hockey Hall of Fame selection committee.[29] Though he was considered one of hockey's greatest left wingers[15] and was famed for his attacking style of play and backhand shot,[4] Jackson's personal problems led Hall chairman Conn Smythe to blacklist him from entry.[26] Though Primeau and Conacher had gained induction,[15] Jackson died on June 25, 1966, without being given the same honour.[27] It would be another five years until the remainder of the selection committee finally overruled Smythe and posthumously inducted Jackson into the Hall of Fame in 1971.[26] Smythe quit the committee in protest,[30] while Jackson's son Kim accepted the honour on his father's behalf.[31] In 1975, Jackson was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame,[8] and The Hockey News ranked him 55th in its 1997 book, The Top 100 NHL players of All-Time.[32]

Career statistics

    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1927–28Toronto MarlborosOHA-Jr.4404220000
1928–29Toronto MarlborosOHA-Jr.91041403729—
1928–29Toronto MarlborosMem. Cup—————131510254
1929–30Toronto Maple LeafsNHL321261829—————
1930–31Toronto Maple LeafsNHL431813318120002
1931–32Toronto Maple LeafsNHL4828255363752713
1932–33Toronto Maple LeafsNHL482717444393142
1933–34Toronto Maple LeafsNHL382018383851018
1934–35Toronto Maple LeafsNHL422222442773252
1935–36Toronto Maple LeafsNHL471111221993252
1936–37Toronto Maple LeafsNHL462119401221012
1937–38Toronto Maple LeafsNHL481717341861018
1938–39Toronto Maple LeafsNHL421017271270112
1939–40New York AmericansNHL43128201030112
1940–41New York AmericansNHL46818264—————
1941–42Boston BruinsNHL275712850110
1942–43Boston BruinsNHL4419153438912310
1943–44Boston BruinsNHL4211213225—————
NHL totals 636 241 234 475 437 71 18 12 30 55

References

  • Career statistics: "Busher Jackson player card". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 12, 2013.
  1. 1 2 3 4 Podnieks, Andrew (2003). Players: The ultimate A–Z guide of everyone who has ever played in the NHL. Toronto: Doubleday Canada. p. 396. ISBN 0-385-25999-9.
  2. ↑ Lapp, Richard; Macaulay, Alec (1997). The Memorial Cup. Harbour Publishing. p. 32. ISBN 1-55017-170-4.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Busher Jackson statistics". Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Duplacey, James; Zweig, Eric (2010). Official Guide to the Players of the Hockey Hall of Fame. Richmond Hill, ON: Firefly Books. p. 259. ISBN 978-1-55407-662-8.
  5. ↑ Lapp, Richard; Macaulay, Alec (1997). The Memorial Cup. Harbour Publishing. p. 34. ISBN 1-55017-170-4.
  6. ↑ "Busher Jackson biography". Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  7. ↑ Duplacey, James; Zweig, Eric (2010). Official Guide to the Players of the Hockey Hall of Fame. Richmond Hill, ON: Firefly Books. p. 258. ISBN 978-1-55407-662-8.
  8. 1 2 "Honoured Member – Harvey Jackson". Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on February 19, 2013. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  9. 1 2 "Honoured Member – Joe Primeau". Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on February 19, 2013. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Pro hockey title returns to Toronto". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. April 11, 1932. p. 11. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  11. ↑ Park, Pat, ed. (2011). 2011–12 Toronto Maple Leafs Media Guide. Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey Club. pp. 199–201.
  12. ↑ Park, Pat, ed. (2011). 2011–12 Toronto Maple Leafs Media Guide. Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey Club. p. 201.
  13. 1 2 Podnieks, Andrew (2000). The NHL All-Star Game: Fifty Years of the Great Tradition. Toronto: HarperCollins. p. 10. ISBN 0-00-200058-X.
  14. ↑ "Hockey benefit nets Ace Bailey roll of $20,909", Miami News, p. 14, February 15, 1934, retrieved November 20, 2010
  15. 1 2 3 4 Carroll, Dink (June 27, 1966). "Busher Jackson dies". Montreal Gazette. p. 28. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  16. ↑ Podnieks, Andrew (2000). The NHL All-Star Game: Fifty Years of the Great Tradition. Toronto: HarperCollins. p. 14. ISBN 0-00-200058-X.
  17. ↑ Shields, Tommy (May 27, 1939). "Round and round the sports wheel". Ottawa Citizen. p. 12. Retrieved July 29, 2010.
  18. ↑ Podnieks, Andrew (2003). Players: The ultimate A–Z guide of everyone who has ever played in the NHL. Toronto: Doubleday Canada. p. 770. ISBN 0-385-25999-9.
  19. ↑ "Syl Apps shines as All-Stars beat Canadiens in Siebert Memorial Game". Calgary Herald. October 30, 1939. p. 6. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  20. ↑ "Dutton, Jackson are $1,000 apart". Edmonton Journal. October 27, 1941. p. 7. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  21. 1 2 "Harvey Jackson joins Bruins". Calgary Herald. January 5, 1942. p. 10. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  22. ↑ McFarlane, Brian (1990). 100 Years of Hockey. Summerhill Press. p. 45. ISBN 0-929091-26-4.
  23. ↑ K.P. Wee (October 2015). The End of the Montreal Jinx: Boston's Short-Lived Glory in the Historic Bruins-Canadiens Rivalry, 1988-1994. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. p. 153. ISBN 978-1517362911.
  24. ↑ "Busher Jackson quitting hockey". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. October 24, 1944. p. 13. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  25. 1 2 McLachlan, Lloyd (February 16, 1985). "End might not justify means". Windsor Star. p. B3. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  26. 1 2 3 "Busher Jackson". Regina Leader-Post. August 28, 1971. p. 5. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  27. 1 2 3 "Legendary Busher Jackson dies in Toronto". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. June 27, 1966. p. 18. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  28. ↑ "Jackson goes to hospital". Regina Leader-Post. February 8, 1962. p. 28. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  29. ↑ Coleman, Jim (June 11, 1969). "Jim Coleman's column for June 11, 1969". Calgary Herald. p. 41. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  30. ↑ "Smythe leaves 'Hall'". Montreal Gazette. June 12, 1971. p. 27. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  31. ↑ "Sawchuk among five honored by hockey". Spokane Spokesman-Review. August 25, 1971. p. 26. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  32. ↑ Ulmer, Michael; Dryden, Steve (1999). The Top 100 NHL players of All-Time. McClelland and Stewart. p. 136. ISBN 978-0-7710-4175-4. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
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