Buddy O'Connor

Herbert William "Buddy" O'Connor (June 21, 1916 in Montreal, Quebec - August 24, 1977) was a Canadian professional centre who played for the Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers in the National Hockey League.

Playing Career
O'Connor started out with the Montreal Junior Royals in 1934-35. He was quickly promoted to the senior Montreal Royals and played the next six seasons with them. He won the Quebec Senior Hockey League scoring title in 1938-39.

He was promoted to the Montreal Canadiens in 1941 and was a regular for the next six seasons, winning two Stanley Cups. He was then traded to the New York Rangers.

In 1947-48 O'Connor finished one point out of the scoring title, was a second team all star, and won both the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Lady Byng Trophy. He was the first player to win both of these trophies in the same season. O'Connor was named Canada's athlete of the year of 1948.

O'Connor missed much of the next season due to injuries suffered in a car accident. He would retire in 1952.

He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988, becoming the first inductee into the now defunct Veteran category.