Andy was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on October 3, 1929. After playing Junior Hockey in his hometown, he made his professional debut in 1949 with the Cincinnati Mohawks of the American Hockey League. The next season, he came to Victoria to play for the Cougars and was part of the “kid line” with Reg Abbott and Bob Frampton. Andy was a key contributor to the team’s success, scoring spectacular goals and helping the Cougars bring home a League Championship. He continued to live in Victoria and in the off-season got married and worked for a cement contractor to keep in shape.

Andy played four more seasons with the Cougars and in 1955-56, signed with the New York Rangers. He played eight seasons with the Rangers and was then claimed by the Boston Bruins on the waiver wire. Following his time with Boston. Andy returned to the west coast in 1964-65 and played for the Portland Buckaroos of the Western Hockey League. Victoria was the next stop on his hockey journey, where he played on the team’s top line with Milan Marcetta and Bob Barlow. Together they formed one of the most potent scoring lines in the league and accumulated a total of 101 goals and 138 assists for a total of 239 points. Their efforts led the team to its only championship by defeating the first-place Portland Buckaroos in a classic seven-game series that could have gone either way. After the 1966-67 season, the Leafs were sold, and Andy returned to Portland where he played for eight more seasons. He ended his professional career with the Seattle Totems of the Central Hockey League and two years for a semi-pro team in Portland.

In addition to his scoring ability, Andy was known for his gentlemanly play and durability. He won the NHL’s Lady Byng Player Award and was the runner-up on another occasion. In the WHL, he won the Fred J. Hume Cup for the most gentlemanly player a total of six times. In his 26 seasons of professional hockey, Andy played in 1931 games, one of the highest totals ever, scoring 695 goals and 820 assists, for a total of 1515 points; 525 of those games were played with Victoria for the Cougars and Maple Leafs. His streak of consecutive games was remarkable. Although the NHL does not include records from other leagues or playoff games in its statistics, Andy played an estimated 1,563 consecutive games. On November 30, 1966, he was honoured during a game in Victoria which he attended with his family.

Andy won two Championships with Victoria: one with the Cougars in 1951-52 and the second with the Maple Leafs in 1965-66. Andy was truly a unique player. His career and longevity in the game may never be seen again due to the gruelling schedule and more physical game that is played today.

saveonABOUT THE GREATER VICTORIA
SPORTS HALL OF FAME

Victoria enjoys a stellar sports history and we celebrate the many athletes, teams and builders who have contributed to that history.  Our displays are seen at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre (1925 Blanshard St.)  through Gate Three.

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