Frank Mahovlich
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| Senatorial Division: | Ontario |
| Appointed by: | Jean Chrétien |
| Public Telephone: | 943-2065 |
| Public E-Mail: | mahovf@sen.parl.gc.ca |
| Date of nomination: | June 11, 1998 |
| Expected date of retirement: |
January 1, 2013 |
| Date of Birth: | January 11, 1938 |
| Place of Birth: | Timmins, Ontario |
| Spouse: | Marie Devaney |
| Previous Profession: | hockey player |
Francis William "Frank" Mahovlich, CM , LL.D (born January 10, 1938 in Timmins, Ontario,Canada) is a Canadian Senator, and formerly a star NHL ice hockey player. In 1981, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.He is also a Liberal Senator in the Canadian Senate.
Mahovlich was a professional hockey player in the National Hockey League from 1957 until 1974 and a member of six Stanley Cup-winning teams - four times with the Toronto Maple Leafs and twice with the Montreal Canadiens.It was rough for him as a Toronto Maple Leaf player. Despite 48 goals in 1960-61, both his coach Punch Imlach and the Toronto fans weren't satisfied with him. He was booed by Leaf fans and their disapproval caused him to suffer two nervous breakdowns. His talent eroded. By 1967-68, he was considered a poor risk in the used skaters department. Sid Abel, general manager of Detroit, decided to take the risk and obtained Mahovlich.He never regretted it. Mahovlich scored 49 goals, the most of his NHL career,in 1968-69.But in 1970-71, Abel wanted to get rid of coach Ned Harkness and was overruled by team owner Bruce Norris. Once Harkness took over as general manager, he got rid of players he deemed a threat to him. Mahovlich was traded to the Montreal Canadiens and here he had his happiest moments. He also was a member of Team Canada for the 1972 Summit Series against the Soviet Union. In 1974, he joined the exodus of leading hockey players who left the NHL for better pay in the World Hockey Association where he played for the Toronto Toros and the Birmingham Bulls until his retirement in 1978. His nickname as a hockey player was "The Big M".
Born and raised in Timmins, the son of Croatian immigrants from Zumberak, Croatia, Frank Mahovlich graduated from St. Michael's College School in 1957, and was awarded their Order of St. Michael in 1996. He has also studied at the University of Windsor and the University of Ottawa.
In 1994, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada. In 1998, he was ranked number 26 on The Hockey News' list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players, the highest-ranking player who had spent at least a majority of his career with the Maple Leafs.
He is a member of Muskoka Lakes Golf and Country Club in Port Carling, Ontario.
Frank's brother Peter is also a former NHL player, as well as a former teammate.
[edit] See also
- List of Canadian Senators
- List of Ontario senators
- List of retired NHL players
- List of NHL statistical leaders
- List of NHL seasons
- List of NHL players with 1000 points
- Notable families in the NHL
- List of NHL players with 500 goals
[edit] External links
| Preceded by: Larry Regan |
Winner of the Calder Trophy 1958 |
Succeeded by: Ralph Backstrom |
Categories: 1938 births | Calder Trophy winners | Canadian ice hockey players | Canadian senators | Canada's Sports Hall of Fame | Croatian Canadians | Detroit Red Wings players | Hockey Hall of Fame | Living people | Members of the Order of Canada | Montreal Canadiens players | National Hockey League families | Canadian senators from Ontario | Ontario sportspeople | People from Timmins, Ontario | Stanley Cup champions | Toronto Maple Leafs players | Toronto St. Michael's Majors alumni | Toronto Toros players | University of Windsor alumni | Sports figures in politics
