BOB CHRYSTAL April 3, 1930 - January 27, 2023
The Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame was saddened to learn of the passing of Honoured Member Bob Chrystal.
After his junior career with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the MJHL, Bob turned pro with the Denver Falcons of the USHL. Joining the Cleveland Barons of the AHL, he scored the sudden death overtime winning goal in the 1953 Calder Cup in 1953 final.
Called up to the New York Rangers with goaltender Johnny Bower in 1953 he was often used as a checking forward shadowing the likes of Gordie Howe, Maurice Richard, and Jean Beliveau.
The abrasive Phil Watson took over the coaching reigns for the Rangers in Bob's third season with the team. The two men could not get along and Bob walked away from a promising career in the NHL. After three more years in the Western Hockey League with Brandon Regals, Saskatoon-St. Paul Saints and Winnipeg Warriors, Bob retired in 1959 at the age of 29.