Nelson Robert Stewart

Stewart, Nelson Robert

Nelson Robert Stewart, Nels, "Old Poison," hockey player (b at Montreal 29 Dec 1902; d at Toronto 21 Aug 1957). He was the first player to score 300 goals and his record of 324 goals held until broken by Maurice RICHARD. A big, rugged player with a deadly shot, he performed many of his scoring feats on a line with Hooley Smith and Babe Siebert. He played for Montreal Maroons (1925-32), Boston Bruins (1932-35), New York Americans (1935-36), the Bruins again in 1936-37 and New York again from 1937 to 1940. He won the HART TROPHY in 1926 and 1930 and still holds the record for the fastest 2 goals - 4 seconds. The story that he spat tobacco juice in the eyes of opposing goalies may be apocryphal but apparently is in keeping with his temperament on the ice. Stewart was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1962.