Gaye Stewart had one of the most unique first three seasons imaginable in the National Hockey League. Listen to this start:
Stewart made his debut for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1942 Playoffs who would go on to win the Stanley Cup that year. The following year, he would have an excellent rookie season (beating “Rocket” Richard for the Calder Trophy making him the first player to win a Stanley Cup before winning the rookie of the year. Like many Canadians, he went into the military for World War II and lost two years but he returned to Toronto and put forth his best season with a league leading 37 Goals, a First Team All Star selection and was also the runner-up for the Hart Trophy. He wasn’t nearly as good in the next season but he still helped Toronto win the Stanley Cup, which would be his second. He was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks early the season after and rebounded to the point where he was named a Second Team All-Star but after that his skills diminished and he was out of the National Hockey League before he was 30.
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