Gus "Old Hardrock" Mortson

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Gus "Old Hardrock" Mortson - This tough defenceman was originally from New Liskeard, Ontario born on January 24, 1925. Mortson spent two years (1943-44 and 1944-45) playing junior hockey with the St. Michael's Majors (OHA). He then spent one year with the Tulsa Oilers (USHL) before joining the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1946-47. After six successful seasons, he was moved to the Chicago Black Hawks in 1952-53. Gus played six successful seasons before he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings in June 1958. He then ended up playing half of the 1958-59 season with the Red Wings and half with the Buffalo Bisons of the American Hockey League.

Mortson then took two years (1960-61 and 1961-62) where he did not play. He returned to the game and played with the Chatham Maroons (OHA Sr. in 1962-63 and AHL 1963-64) for two seasons. He split the next season with the Oakville Oaks (OHA Sr.) and the Buffalo Bisons (AHL). He finished his professional career with the Oakville Oaks where he played for both the 1965-66 and 1966-67 season.

His NHL career consisted of 796 regular season games played, 46 goals, 152 assists and 198 total points. He had 1380 penalty minutes.

He helped the Leafs win four Stanley Cups in his first five years in the NHL. He was the tough guy of his team. He led the league in penalty minutes in four seasons.