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Sid Abel |
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Born: February 22, 1918
Birth Place: Melville, Saskatchewan
Position: Left Wing
First Season: 1936 - 37
Last Season: 1953 - 54
Jersey Number: 12
Jersey Retired: 1995
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Biography |
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Born on February 22, 1918 in Melville, Saskatchewan, Sidney Gerald (Sid) Abel began his NHL career in 1938 with the Detroit Red Wings. He spent nine full seasons and parts of two others in a Detroit uniform.
He was the first player to attain All-Star status at two different positions, center and left wing. He won the Hart Trophy as the league's most valuable player in the 1948-49 season. He was named captain of the Wings at the young age of 24. Sid's leadership was an integral part of the Wings 1943, 1950 and 1952 Stanley Cup winning teams.
Sid established himself as one of the league's great centers on Detroit's legendary Production Line. On that line, Sid centered two other future Hall of Famers - Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay. He scored 189 goals and had 283 assists during his NHL career.
Sid left Detroit in 1952 to become player-manager of the Chicago Blackhawks and led that team to its first playoff berth in nine seasons. After two seasons in Chicago, he returned to Detroit and became a commentator for Red Wing television broadcasts. When coach Jimmy Skinner resigned from the Red Wings midway through the 1957-58 season, Sid became the Wings' coach. He moved to general manager in 1962, succeeding the great Jack Adams. During his 10 1/2 years behind the Red Wings bench, Sid earned a reputation as a "player's coach." His teams won a league championship and made the Stanley Cup playoffs seven times.
Abel passed away on February 8, 2000 in Farmington Hills, Michigan.
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| Games and Awards |
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1941 - 42 All-Star Selection - Second Team
1948 - 49 Hart Memorial Trophy - All-Star Selection - First Team
1949 - 50 All-Star Selection - First Team
1950 - 51 All-Star Selection - Second Team
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| Seasonal Statistics |
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