Elmer Vasko Explained

Played For:AHL
Buffalo Bisons
NHL
Chicago Black Hawks
Minnesota North Stars
Position:Defence
Shoots:Left
Height Ft:6
Height In:2
Weight Lb:200
Birth Date:December 11, 1935
Birth Place:Duparquet, Quebec, Canada
Death Place:Dorval, Quebec, Canada
Career Start:1955
Career End:1970

Elmer "Moose" Vasko (December 11, 1935 – October 30, 1998) was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Chicago Black Hawks and Minnesota North Stars. He was on the Blackhawks team that won the Stanley Cup in 1961.

Personal

Vasko was born in Duparquet, Quebec. He was one of the few players of Slovak descent in the NHL's younger years. Vasko also never lost any of his teeth during his NHL career,[1] despite the lack of mouthguards or helmets in his playing days. He was a second team all star in 1962-63 and 1963-64.

Vasko's great niece, Alexa Vasko, is a professional ice hockey player for the Ottawa Charge of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL).[2]

Career statistics

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGP PIMGP G A Pts PIM
1953–54St. Catharines TeepeesOHA59 5 17 22 2515 0 2 2 10
1953–54St. Catharines TeepeesM-Cup11 0 2 2 6
1954–55St. Catharines TeepeesOHA49 16 20 36 7511 2 3 5 17
1955–56St. Catharines TeepeesOHA47 9 31 40 906 2 3 5 8
1955–56Buffalo BisonsAHL4 0 3 3 43 1 0 1 2
1956–57Chicago Black HawksNHL64 3 12 15 31
1957–58Chicago Black HawksNHL59 6 20 26 51
1958–59Chicago Black HawksNHL63 6 10 16 526 0 1 1 4
1959–60Chicago Black HawksNHL69 3 27 30 1104 0 0 0 0
1960–61Chicago Black HawksNHL63 4 18 22 4012 1 1 2 23
1961–62Chicago Black HawksNHL64 2 22 24 8712 0 0 0 4
1962–63Chicago Black HawksNHL64 4 9 13 706 0 1 1 8
1963–64Chicago Black HawksNHL70 2 18 20 657 0 0 0 4
1964–65Chicago Black HawksNHL69 1 10 11 5614 1 2 3 20
1965–66Chicago Black HawksNHL56 1 7 8 443 0 0 0 4
1967–68Minnesota North StarsNHL70 1 6 7 4514 0 2 2 6
1968–69Minnesota North StarsNHL72 1 7 8 68
1969–70Minnesota North StarsNHL3 0 0 0 0
1969–70Salt Lake Golden EaglesWHL54 4 6 10 34
NHL totals786 34 166 200 71978 2 7 9 73

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kennedy . Patrick . June 23, 2013 . Vasko fondly remembers Uncle Moose . September 12, 2024 . The Kingston Whig Standard.
  2. Web site: Pressure a privilege for Alexa Vasko, Niagara native playing for Toronto entry in pro women’s hockey league . . Bernd . Franke . January 16, 2024 . December 4, 2024.