August 11--Chuck Rayner

Chuck Rayner

Rayner's professional career began with the Springfield Indians of the American Hockey League in 1940-41 where he earned an AHL Second Team All-Star selection. The New York Americans were interested enough to call him up for a 12-game tryout before the end of the season. The following year, he played just one game with Springfield before he was called up to the NHL and appeared in 36 games for the newly-christened Brooklyn Americans. Rayner interrupted his hockey career to enlist in the Royal Canadian Navy during World War II and did not return to the NHL until the 1945-46 season, this time as a member of the New York Rangers.
He was an NHL Second Team All-Star and appeared in the All Star game in 1949, 1950, and 1951. He is one of only five goalies to be awarded the Hart Trophy as most valuable player, winning the award in 1950. He was also known as one of the first wandering goalies. On more than one occasion he made a save and skated up ice with the puck before hustling back into goal. Twice in particular he came right in on the opposition goalie in an NHL game and almost scored!

In 377 games for the Blueshirts, Chuck posted a 123–180-72 record with a 2.99 goals-against average with 24 shutouts.

He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1973, the second goaltender in history to be inducted with a losing record.

Received this black marker signed card TTM.

Index card and envelope postmarked 1988.