Eric Nesterenko

Eric Nesterenko (born 31 October, 1933) was a Canadian National Hockey League (NHL) player from 1951 to 1972, playing centre for the Toronto Maple Leafs until 1956 and for the Chicago Black Hawks thereafter. In 1973–74 he played for the Chicago Cougars of the World Hockey Association, after a year of coaching in Switzerland. He had 250 goals and 324 assists during his NHL career, and won a Stanley Cup championship with Chicago in 1961.

Nesterenko was born in Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada. After two and a half seasons with the junior Toronto Marlboros (1950-53), he was brought up to the Maple Leafs in 1952-53. He did not reach expectations and was sent down to the Winnipeg Warriors for the last half of the 1956-57 season.

He was then traded to the Chicago Black Hawks in 1957. Nesterenko spent 16 solid seasons with the Black Hawks, winning the Stanley Cup in 1960-61. He retired in 1972 and went to coach in Switzerland.

Nesterenko had a comeback with the Chicago Cougars of the WHA in 1973-74. He then retired for a season before playing one season (1975-76) with the senior Trail Smoke Eaters. That was his last season of play.

Awards & Achievements

 * WHL Championship (1956)
 * Edinburgh Trophy Championship (1956)
 * Stanley Cup Championship (1961)
 * Played in NHL All-Star Game (1961 & 1965)
 * Honoured Member of the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame