Vic Hadfield

Vic Edward Hadfield (born 4 October, 1940 in Oakville, Ontario, Canada) is a retired professional ice hockey player.

Playing Career
One of the most popular players in New York Rangers history, Hadfield had a sixteen year career in the NHL, tallying 323 goals and 389 assists with 1154 penalty minutes in 1002 career games with the Rangers and the Pittsburgh Penguins. His younger brother, Carl, was a 1964 draft choice by the Chicago Blackhawks.

With teammates Jean Ratelle and Rod Gilbert, he was a member of the famous GAG (goal-a-game) line.

Lou Fontinato's career came to a tragic end March 9, 1963 when he tried to check Vic Hadfield and instead was thrown headlong into the boards by the Ranger player. Fontinato lay motionless on the ice for some time before being carried off the ice on a stretcher and taken to Montreal General Hospital where the diagnosis was a fractured neck, a crushed cervical vertebra. He gradually recovered from his paralyzed condition, but would never play hockey again.

Vic now owns the Vic Hadfield Driving Range and instructional center in rural Oakville (corner of Burnhamthorpe and Trafalgar Roads).

Career Highlights

 * First 50-goal season in Rangers history (1971-72 season).
 * Led Rangers to their first Stanley Cup finals in 22 years (1972).
 * Played for Canada in the 1972 Summit Series.

Awards & Achievements

 * OHA-Jr. First All-Star Team (1960)
 * NHL Second All-Star Team (1972)
 * Played in NHL All-Star Game (1965, 1972)