view raw text
Chuck Rayner Gets NHLs Hart Trophy Season Defense Record Gains Most Valuable Player Honors For New York RangersGoalie MONTREAL, Quebec, May 8 UP. — Chuck Rayner, the bushy-haired goal-tender who was the backbone of the New York Rangers defense in their drive to. the Stanley Cup finals, was awarded the Hart Trophy today as the National Hockey Leagues most valuable player for 1950. The 29-year-old Rayner, whose six major league seasons were interrupted by three years in the Canadian Armed Forces, thus became the second goalie in 27 years to win the award. The first was Roy "Shrimp" Worters of the old New York Americans in 1928-29. A poll of 18 sports writers and radio broadcasters — three from each league city — gave Rayner 36 out of a possible 54 points for the honor. With each voter selecting three players on a 3-2-l.point basis, Rayner received eight first place votes and six seconds. In addition to the trophy, Rayner will receive a ,000 cash prize from the N.H.L. He also won 00 last week by being named goalie on the second Rational League All-star team. Kennedy Runner-Up Runner-up to Rayner in the balloting was Ted "Teeder" Kennedy, Toronto Maple Leafs center, with 23 points, while Maurice "The Rocket" Richards, Montreal Caria-diens forward, was third with 18 points. Kennedy had four first place votes, three seconds and five thirds; Richard received three first place votes, two seconds and five thirds. Rayner, who played in 69 out of 70 games during the regular season despite repeated injuries, yielded an. average of only 2.62 goals per game for the best record of his career. He recorded six shutouts. Rayner, operator of a hunting lodge at Kenora, Ont., during the off season, was the second Ranger to win one of the N JIL.s major awards for the season. Center Edgar LaPrade previously was named winner of the Lady Bing Trophy as the leagues cleanest player. In all, 10 players received consideration for the Hart Trophy. Behind Richard came Sid Abel of the champion Detroit Red Wings with 10 points; Bill Duraan of Montreal and Sid Schmidt of the Boston Bruins with six each; LaPrade and Ted Lindsay of Detroit with three each; Turk Broda of Toronto with two, and Leonard "Red" Kelly of Detroit with one.
