Gus Bodnar’s National Hockey League career started with a bang, winning the Calder Trophy as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He played 667 regular season games in the NHL with the Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins, winning a Stanley Cup championship with Toronto.
Bodnar would later become a prominent coach in the Ontario Hockey League. During his time behind the bench, he mentored future NHL stars including Brad Park, Rick Middleton, Lee Fogolin and ‘Looney’ Gilles Gratton.
NHL Career
Hockey Card Collection
Coaching Career
Rookie Card
Career Stats
Gus Bodnar – NHL Career
Gus Bodnar played 667 regular season games in the National Hockey League between 1943-44 and 1954-55 with the Maple Leafs, Blackhawks and Bruins. Over that time, he scored 142 goals and assisted on 254 for 396 points. In the Stanley Cup playoffs, Gus played 32 additional games, adding seven points.
In his rookie year, 1943-44, Bodnar was awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie. Over 50 games with the Maple Leafs, Gus scored 22 and assisted on 40 for 62 points. He led Toronto in assists and placed tied for seventh overall in the league with teammate Babe Pratt. His 62 points were second on the Maple Leafs, behind Lorne Carr, and good for tenth in the NHL.
The following year, Gus led the Leafs with 36 assists and tied for fourth in the NHL with Syd Howe of the Detroit Red Wings. Toronto placed third overall in the six team league but won the Stanley Cup championship with a win over the Red Wings in seven games in the finals.
Two years later, Bodnar and the Leafs parted ways and he spent the end of 1946-47 in the American Hockey League with the Pittsburgh Hornets. The Max Kaminsky coached team lost in the Calder Cup finals that year to the Hershey Bears in seven games.
In November, 1947, Gus was part of a blockbuster deal that sent him, Bob Goldham, Gaye Stewart, Ernie Dickens and Bud Poile to the Blackhawks for Max Bentley and Cy Thomas.
In February, 1954, Bodnar was traded by Chicago to the Boston Bruins for Jerry Toppazzini.
Gus Bodnar Collection
Gus Bodnar – Coaching
Gus Bodnar coached the Toronto Marlboros from 1965-66 to 1967-68. In 1966-67, the Marlboros were crowned Memorial Cup champions, defeating the Port Arthur Marrs 4-1 in the finals. On the roster for Toronto were Brad Park and Brian Glennie.
In 1970-71, Gus took his only shot at coaching in the pro level. Behind the bench of the Salt Lake Golden Eagles of the WHL, the team placed sixth in the six team league, 22 points out of fifth and 62 points out of first place. On the roster was minor hockey legend Guyle Fielder.
Bodnar returned to junior hockey the following year. For five years between 1971-72 and 1975-76, Gus was the head coach of the Oshawa Generals. During his time in Oshawa, the Generals weren’t overly successful but Bodnar did mold such future NHL players as Rick Middleton, Gilles Gratton and Lee Fogolin.
Gus Bodnar – Rookie Card
The Gus Bodnar rookie card appears as number 40 in the 1951-52 Parkhurst set. This is one of just four cards of Bodnar during his playing career, all with Parkhurst and all between 1951-52 and 1954-55. The card is currently valued at about 33% more than a common card and depicts Gus as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks.
On his final card, including in the 1954-55 Parkhurst set, Bodnar is shown as a member of the Boston Bruins. Interestingly, he is not included in the inaugural 1954-55 Topps NHL set.
Gus Bodnar Career Stats
| Season | Team | Lge | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| 1943-44 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 50 | 22 | 40 | 62 | 18 |
| 1944-45 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 49 | 8 | 36 | 44 | 18 |
| 1945-46 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 49 | 14 | 23 | 37 | 14 |
| 1946-47 | Pittsburgh Hornets | AHL | 15 | 10 | 9 | 19 | 10 |
| 1946-47 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 39 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 10 |
| 1947-48 | Pittsburgh Hornets | AHL | 6 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 0 |
| 1947-48 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 46 | 13 | 22 | 35 | 23 |
| 1948-49 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 59 | 19 | 26 | 45 | 14 |
| 1949-50 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 70 | 11 | 28 | 39 | 6 |
| 1950-51 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 44 | 8 | 12 | 20 | 8 |
| 1951-52 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 69 | 14 | 26 | 40 | 26 |
| 1952-53 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 66 | 16 | 13 | 29 | 26 |
| 1953-54 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 44 | 6 | 15 | 21 | 13 |
| 1953-54 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 15 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 17 |
| 1954-55 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 67 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 14 |
| NHL Totals | 667 | 142 | 254 | 396 | 207 |