Bryan Hextall

Bryan Aldwyn Hextall (July 31, 1913 – July 25, 1984) was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played for the New York Rangers in the National Hockey League. Considered one of the top wingers of the 1940s, he led the NHL in goal scoring twice and in points once. He was named a first-team All-Star three times and a second-team All-Star once.

Born in Grenfell, Saskatchewan, in 1913, Hextall grew up in Poplar Point, Manitoba, where he played his first hockey, winning the Manitoba juvenile championship in 1929–30. He played junior hockey with the Winnipeg Monarchs in 1931–32 before switching to the Portage Terriers, with whom he won the Manitoba Junior Hockey League scoring title in 1932–33. Hextall began his professional career in 1933–34 with the Vancouver Lions of the North West Hockey League, where he played three seasons and led the league in scoring.

Hextall scored the overtime goal that clinched the 1940 Stanley Cup for the Rangers. He was the patriarch of one of hockey's most prominent families: his sons Bryan Jr. and Dennis, and his grandson Ron, all had lengthy NHL careers. Bryan Sr. was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1969.