Jack Leswick

Jack "Newsy" Leswick (Born January 1, 1910 in Humboldt, Saskatchewan - Died August 7, 1934 in Winnipeg, Manitoba) was a Canadian Ice Hockey Center for the Chicago Black Hawks. His only NHL season came in 1934.

Minor Leagues

Jack Leswick played 3 1/2 seasons for the Duluth Hornets of the AHA. He spent the second half of 1932–33 playing for the Wichita Blue Jays. He began the 1934 season in the AHA playing for the Kansas City Greyhounds.

NHL

Jack Leswick was called up to the Chicago Black Hawks shortly after the beginning of the 1934 season. He played 37 games scoring 1 goal and 7 assists and 16 PIM. He helped Chicago with the Stanley Cup championship that spring.

Death

The circumstances surrounding Jack Leswick's death remain a mystery. Chicago Black Hawks management was happy with his performance and signed him to one more season before he headed home for the summer of 1934.

With time to kill and money in his pocket, Leswick headed for Canada, stopping in Calgary to visit his sister before heading on to Winnipeg for holidays where he was joined by younger brother Pete, who soon after left for St. Catherines, Ontario, leaving Jack with three roommates at a house they had rented.

Late one Wednesday evening in August, Jack told his roommates he was heading out for a walk. This would be the last time anyone would see Jack before his lifeless body was pulled from the Assiniboine River the following Saturday. Almost immediately foul play was suspected when it was discovered that certain valuables he was accustomed to carry, including his gold watch from the Black Hawks, were not found with him. The theory was further strengthened when family were unable to locate his Chevrolet Coach automobile. Despite these facts, the police dismissed the case as suicide, stating that he was almost penniless when he went missing and his body showed no signs of violence. Those who knew Jack best protested that his aggressive nature and happy-go-lucky disposition made the suicide theory impossible. His body was identified by fellow Black Hawks Rosario Couture and Leroy Goldsworthy.

No evidence was ever found to support foul play or suicide, and to this day, his death remains a mystery. Jack's body was returned to Saskatoon and is buried in Millbrook cemetery.

Awards & Achievements

*1934 Stanley Cup Championship (Chicago)

Trivia

*Two of his brothers Pete and Tony played in the NHL. Pete played briefly with the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins and Tony spent 12 seasons in the NHL with the New York Rangers, Chicago Black Hawks, and Detroit Red Wings. Tony won 3 Stanley Cups with Detroit in 1952, 1954, and 1955.

*Jack Leswick wore Uniform # 9 with the Chicago Black Hawks.

ee also

*List of ice hockey players who died young

External links

* [http://www.losthockey.com/profiles/leswick_jack/jack_leswick.cfm LostHockey.com]
* [http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=13380 Hockey Hall of Fame Biography]
* [http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php3?pid=18916 Career Stats]