Remembering Black Jack Stewart

Black Jack Stewart was a force to be reckoned with on the Red Wings blueline over a 12-season NHL career that culminated with two Stanley Cups.

Black Jack Stewart was the name, throwing crushing body-checks were his game. An absolutely amazing defensive defensemen and one of the most punishing body-checkers of his time, Stewart hardly gets recognized among the Orr's, Potvin's, Shore's as one of the league's all-time best defensemen, but he no doubt should be right up there.

Stewart took charge of the Red Wings blueline and was the team's on-ice general. In past interviews, fellow Red Wings legends such as Gordie Howe, Sid Abel and Ted Lindsay have all gone on record in saying that Black Jack was the biggest reason why the team became a winner in such a short order.

The only defensemen in NHL history to be named an All Star both before and after the Red Line was introduced, Stewart wasn't very big for a man who could throw such a thunderous bodycheck at 5'11'', 185 pounds, but he was all bone and muscle. He was so tough that he once played an entire season with a broken hand!