Chicago Blackhawks Greatest 100- #20 Pit Martin

The Top 20 in Chicago Blackhawks history starts today, and it starts with a player that ended up being a part of one of the worst trades in NHL history. 

After a so-so start to his career with both the Detroit Red Wings and Boston Bruins, Pit Martin finally got a chance to be the hockey player that he was when he was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks.

The problem with the trade with the Boston Bruins is that it sent a young Phil Esposito to the Bruins right before he started scoring 50 goals a season. No matter what he did in a Chicago Blackhawks jersey, it would never compare to what Phil did in a Boston Bruins jersey.

Pit Martin played in over 700 games as a Chicago Blackhawks, he was a nifty speedy wing who would score 243 goals in a Chicago Blackhawks uniform, but it took many a year for the Blackhawks fans to forget what they lost and to enjoy what they had in Martin.

Martin played in over 1,000 NHL games which is pretty impressive for a 5 foot 9 inch player, and he like yesterday’s Blackhawk great Dennis Hull made up the M.P.H. line with Jim Pappin.

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Matin was a 3 time 30 goal scorer, but he thought his greatest achievement in the NHL was winning the Masterton Trophy in 1970.

It’s interesting that when I was a kid, Doug Wilson and Al Secord were two of my favorite players and they stuck out like sore thumbs because they were one of the few players left not wearing a helmet. Well Martin was the opposite wearing a helmet which made him stand out to many during the 1970’s.

When you speak of any player from the Chicago Blackhawks in the 70’s, you cannot talk about them without mentioning they failed to bring home a Stanley Cup in 71 and 73 which had to really sit terribly with them after their playing career ended.

Sadly, a snowmobile accident took Martin from us all in 2008 at the age of 64.  Martin was a finesse player that had a very long career with the Blackhawks and the NHL, and he’s #20 in our Greatest Blackhawks countdown list.

Next: Blackhawks Milestones To Reach This Season

Only 20 days left until the season kicks off on October 5th!