Herb Dickenson

Herb Dickenson was a promising left winger out of Hamilton with all seemingly all the talent in the world. In 1949-50 while playing with the Guelph Biltmores, Herb picked up 24 goals and 22 assists for 46 points in 48 games before wowing everyone in the playoffs. In 24 post-season games, he scored 18 goals!

Dickenson followed that up with a second season in Guelph with 27 goals and 63 points in 49 games. Needless to say, the New York Rangers felt they had one of the top quality prospects coming their way. After beginning in the 1951-52 apprenticing the minor leagues, he was called up to the Rangers. In 37 games with the Rangers, he had 14 goals and 13 assists for 27 points. At a time when 20 goals in a single NHL season was considered an accomplishment, 14 goals in half a season was very impressive. 

Dickenson began the 1952-53 season on the top line with Paul Ronty and Wally Hergesheimer. Herb was off to another fine start - in 11 games he had 4 goals and 4 assists - before tragedy struck. On November 5, 1952, his NHL career came to a sudden end. 

During the pre-game warm up at Maple Leaf Gardens, Dickenson was struck in the eye by a puck. The resulting injury was so bad that he would never play hockey again. 
Just like that, the career of one of hockey's most promising stars came to an end.