Larry Zeidel

Lazarus "Larry The Rock" Zeidel(June 1, 1928 – June 17, 2014) was a Canadian professionalice hockeydefenceman,most notably for theHershey Bearsof theAmerican Hockey League,for whom he played nine seasons, and in theNational Hockey Leaguefor theChicago Black Hawksand thePhiladelphia Flyersduring a career that lasted from 1947 to 1969. He is considered one of the most violent players in NHL history, and at the time of his retirement, was the most penalized player in minor league history.

Larry Zeidel
Born	(1928-06-01)June 1, 1928 Montreal, Quebec,Canada
Died	June 17, 2014(2014-06-17)(aged 86) Philadelphia,Pennsylvania,U.S.
Height	5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight	185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position	Defence
Shot	Left
Played for	Detroit Red Wings Chicago Black Hawks Philadelphia Flyers
Playing career	1947–1968

Biography

Zeidel was Jewish, and was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.HisRomaniangrandparents "had been cremated in a concentration camp".

Zeidel played for theDetroit Red WingsandChicago Black Hawksin the early 1950s, and concluded his career with thePhiladelphia Flyersin the late 1960s.In between, he played for numerous teams in theWestern Hockey Leagueand theAmerican Hockey League.Zeidel played most of his career for theHershey Bears,a team later affiliated with the National Hockey League’sWashington Capitalsbut that was independent at the time, located inHershey, Pennsylvania.In 1959–60, his 293 penalty minutes set an AHL league record.

Zeidel won theStanley Cupin1952with theDetroit Red Wings.He won theCalder Cupin1964with theCleveland Barons.

Zeidel promoted himself to all 1967 expansion franchises using a self-made promotion kit and resume, subsequently drawing the interest of the Philadelphia Flyers, who signed him to a contract at age 39.While playing for the Philadelphia Flyers, he was involved in a violent stick-swinging duel with Boston'sEddie Shack,which left both men bleeding. Boston Bruins players yelled at him with anti-Semitic comments throughout the season after the incident.

After he retired from hockey, Zeidel worked as amarketing consultantfor an investment house.

Zeidel died on June 17, 2014, at 86 years of age of complications fromcongestive heart failure,kidney problems, anddementia.He was diagnosed after death by Boston University researchers who were studying brains of deceased hockey players.A panel of neurologists, neuropsychologists, and researchers reached the clinical consensus diagnoses that he suffered fromChronic Traumatic Encephalopathy,aneurodegenerativedisease found in people who have had multiple head injuries.The report concluded that he had likely had more than 100 concussions, and lost consciousness over 10 times.By the time he had retired, he had suffered debilitating headaches, acute temper, odd behavior, and had made uncharacteristically rash financial decisions.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1944–45	Porcupine Combines	NOJHA		—	2	1	3	2		—	—	—	—	—
1944–45	Porcupine Combines	M-Cup		—	—	—	—	—		2	0	0	0	0
1945–46	Verdun Maple Leafs	QJHL		17	2	7	9	34		3	1	1	2	2
1946–47	Barrie Flyers	OHA		28	7	13	20	48		5	2	0	2	0
1947–48	Quebec Aces	QSHL		48	7	20	27	82		10	1	3	4	13
1948–49	Quebec Aces	QSHL		52	4	18	22	92		—	—	—	—	—
1949–50	Quebec Aces	QSHL		55	7	19	26	176		13	1	4	5	49
1950–51	Saskatoon Quakers	WCSHL		58	5	27	32	169		8	2	2	4	18
1951–52	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		19	1	0	1	14		5	0	0	0	0
1951–52	Indianapolis Capitals	AHL		43	6	17	23	99		—	—	—	—	—
1952–53	Edmonton Flyers	WHL		59	4	22	26	114		15	2	6	8	26
1952–53	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		9	0	0	0	8		—	—	—	—	—
1953–54	Chicago Black Hawks	NHL		64	1	6	7	102		—	—	—	—	—
1954–55	Edmonton Flyers	WHL		70	10	40	50	142		9	2	5	7	2
1955–56	Hershey Bears	AHL		56	5	27	32	128		—	—	—	—	—
1956–57	Hershey Bears	AHL		64	9	19	28	211		7	0	5	5	21
1957–58	Hershey Bears	AHL		58	2	16	18	152		11	0	6	6	20
1958–59	Hershey Bears	AHL		67	8	24	32	129		13	4	6	10	59
1959–60	Hershey Bears	AHL		66	5	19	24	293		—	—	—	—	—
1960–61	Hershey Bears	AHL		70	4	25	29	149		8	0	2	2	8
1961–62	Hershey Bears	AHL		70	3	19	22	146		7	0	1	1	20
1962–63	Hershey Bears	AHL		66	4	29	33	127		14	1	6	7	51
1963–64	Seattle Totems	WHL		66	5	19	24	163		—	—	—	—	—
1963–64	Cleveland Barons	AHL		2	0	1	1	2		9	0	4	4	12
1964–65	Seattle Totems	WHL		64	2	12	14	202		7	1	2	3	2
1965–66	Cleveland Barons	AHL		72	3	12	15	162		12	1	3	4	14
1966–67	Cleveland Barons	AHL		72	5	24	29	124		—	—	—	—	—
1967–68	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL		57	1	10	11	68		7	0	1	1	12
1968–69	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL		9	0	0	0	6		—	—	—	—	—
AHL totals				706	54	232	286	1722		81	6	33	39	205
NHL totals				158	3	16	19	198		12	0	1	1	12

See also

• List of select Jewish ice hockey players

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics fromNHL,orEliteprospects,orHockey-Reference,orThe Internet Hockey Database