Andy Blair

Andrew Dryden "Andy" Blair (February 27, 1908 – December 27, 1977) was a Canadian professional hockey player for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL.

Before the NHL

The Winnipeg, Manitoba native spent five years at the University of Manitoba and also played senior with the local CPR and Rangers teams.

NHL

He joined the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1928–29 and impressed with 27 points in 44 games. He often centred Ace Bailey and Baldy Cotton and was a valuable member of the first Maple Leafs' Stanley Cup team in 1932.

Following the tragic career ending injury to Ace Bailey in December 1933, Blair assumed more responsibility and responded with a personal- best 14 goals. The veteran was also on hand when Toronto played the NHL All-Stars in the Bailey Benefit game on February 14, 1934. He played two more years in Toronto before joining the Chicago Black Hawks in 1936–37. By this time, Blair was on the down side of his career and he retired after registering only three assists in 44 games.

Awards & Achievements

*Allan Cup Championship (1928)
*1932 Stanley Cup Champion (Toronto)
*Played in NHL All-Star Game (1934)
*“Honoured Member” of the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame

Trivia

*Andy Blair gained trivia fame as one of the first NHL players to sport a moustache.

External links

*hockeydb|412
*legendsofhockey|12009
* [http://www.mbhockeyhalloffame.ca/honoured/players.html?category=9&id=51 Andy Blair’s biography] at [http://www.mbhockeyhalloffame.ca/index.html Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame]