Jerry Toppazzini

Jerry "Topper" Toppazzini (July 29, 1931 – April 21, 2012) was a Canadian ice hockey forward who played 12 seasons in the National Hockey League between 1952 and 1964, most notably with the Boston Bruins. A defensive specialist and penalty killer, he set the then-NHL record for shorthanded goals in a season in 1958, scoring seven.

Toppazzini was born and raised in Copper Cliff, Ontario, where he began playing for his local team before starting his junior career. He played in the Ontario Hockey Association, most notably with the Barrie Flyers. In his final season with Barrie in 1951–52, he led the team with 40 goals and 90 points in 54 games and added another 34 points in 23 playoff games, spearheading the Flyers to their first Memorial Cup championship.

After signing with the Boston Bruins, he spent the following season with their American Hockey League farm team, the Hershey Bears, playing alongside his younger brother Teddy and helping the Bears to a division title with 20 goals and 45 points in 54 games. He made his National Hockey League debut with the Boston Bruins in the 1952–53 season.