Russ Blinco

Russell Percy Blinco (March 12, 1906 – June 28, 1982) was a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played six seasons in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Maroons and Chicago Black Hawks. Blinco's name was inscribed on the Stanley Cup with the Montreal Maroons in 1935.

Russ Blinco
Born	March 12, 1906 Grand-Mère, Quebec, Canada
Died	June 28, 1982 (aged 76) Bedford, Quebec, Canada
Height	5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight	171 lb (78 kg; 12 st 3 lb)
Position	Centre
Shot	Left
Played for	Chicago Black Hawks Montreal Maroons
Playing career	1932–1939

Playing career

Blinco began his hockey career with the local Grande-Mere Maroons in 1928-29. In 1929-30, he joined the Brooklyn Crescents of the USAHA. Blinco remained with the Crescents before joining the Windsor Bulldogs of the International Hockey League in 1932-33. Blinco also spent some time in 1932-33 with the Springfield Indians in the Canadian-American Hockey League. In 1933-34, Blinco recorded 11 points in 16 games with the Bulldogs before he was signed on by the Montreal Maroons. In his first season with the Maroons, Blinco recorded 23 points in 34 games, good enough to become the league's second recipient of the Calder Memorial Trophy. In 1934-35, Blinco helped the Maroons reach the Stanley Cup Finals, where they swept the Toronto Maple Leafs in 3 games and won the Stanley Cup. In 1937, he took part in the Howie Morenz Memorial Game where the NHL All-Stars faced off against the Montreal All-Stars. Blinco would remain with the Maroons until 1938-39. He was traded to the Chicago Black Hawks along with teammates Baldy Northcott and Earl Robinson for $30,000 cash. Blinco would play in 48 games with the Black Hawks before retiring. Blinco was the first NHL player to wear spectacles while playing.[1]

He died in 1982.[2][3]

Awards and achievements

• Calder Memorial Trophy winner in 1934.
• Stanley Cup champion in 1935.
• Played in Howie Morenz Memorial Game.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1926–27	McGill University	MCHL		9	0	1	1	0		—	—	—	—	—
1927–28	McGill University	OQAA		—	—	—	—	—		—	—	—	—	—
1928–29	Grand'Mere Maroons	PIHL		5	4	0	4	2		—	—	—	—	—
1929–30	Brooklyn Crescents	USAHA		—	—	—	—	—		—	—	—	—	—
1930–31	Brooklyn Crescents	USAHA		—	—	—	—	—		—	—	—	—	—
1931–32	Brooklyn Crescents	USAHA		—	—	—	—	—		—	—	—	—	—
1932–33	Windsor Bulldogs	IHL		28	13	10	23	12		—	—	—	—	—
1932–33	Springfield Indians	Can-Am		13	2	2	4	0		—	—	—	—	—
1933–34	Windsor Bulldogs	IHL		16	6	5	11	4		—	—	—	—	—
1933–34	Montreal Maroons	NHL		31	14	9	23	2		4	0	1	1	0
1934–35	Montreal Maroons	NHL		48	13	14	27	4		7	2	2	4	2
1935–36	Montreal Maroons	NHL		46	13	10	23	10		3	0	0	0	0
1936–37	Montreal Maroons	NHL		48	6	12	18	2		5	1	0	1	2
1937–38	Montreal Maroons	NHL		47	10	9	19	4		—	—	—	—	—
1938–39	Chicago Black Hawks	NHL		48	3	12	15	2		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				268	59	66	125	24		19	3	3	6	4

Transactions

• December 18, 1932 - Traded to the Montreal Maroons (Windsor Bulldogs-IHL) by the New York Rangers after Springfield Indians (Can-Am) franchise folded.
• September 15, 1932 - Traded to the Chicago Black Hawks by the Montreal Maroons with Baldy Northcott and Earl Robinson for $30,000 cash.

References

1. Weekes, Don (2003). The Best and Worst of Hockey's Firsts: The Unofficial Guide. Canada: Greystone Books. pp. 240. ISBN 9781550548600.
2. RBC Wall of Distinction Archived 2011-05-15 at the Wayback Machine
3. Quebec Death Index

External links

• Russ Blinco career statistics at The Internet Hockey Database