Harvey Jackson

Harvey "Busher" Jackson's life was met with glory, success, sadness and tragedy. "Busher" Jackson was born in West Toronto poor. His hockey equipment were castoff from other kids. As a teenager, he played his major-junior hockey with the Tonroto Marlboros of the Ontaripo Hockey Association. The "Marlies" won three OHA titles and a Memorial Cup in 1929. "Busher" joined The Toronto Maple Leafs shortly thereafter and was teamed up with "Gentleman" Joe Primeau and Charlie "Big Bomber" Conacher to form the "Kid Line", which is considered one of the most famous lines in Maple Leafs history. As a rookie, Jackson earned the nickname "busher" when Leafs trainer Tim Daly asked him to carry some sticks to the Leafs' bench, which Jackson replied "I'm not here to carry sticks, I'm here to play hockey", then Daly snapped back, "Why,you're nothing, but a fresh young Busher" and the name stuck. The late Red Barnett, a writer for the Toronto Star described "Busher" "something special- That extra bit of speed, the size and strength, packed into almost perfect physique". Known for his speed, Jackson received a high compliment from Montreal Canadien Howie Morenz, after hitting him hard on the ice, he told Jackson, "You'll do". Jackson celebrated his 21st birthday by winning the 1931-32 scoring title, with 28 goals, 25 assists for 53 points making him the youngest player to win the scoring "crown". That record stood for 48 years, when Wayne Gretzky did it in the 1980-81 season at 20. A crowning achievement for the Maple Leafs, when they won the 1932 Stanley Cup, with the "Kid Line" a key factor in the victory. "Busher" played 10 seasons for the Maple Leafs, until he was traded to the New York Americans for Sweeny Schreiner, the his last stop was the Boston Bruins. Jackson played for 15 years, scoring 475 points in 636 games. Life after hockey proved to be difficult for Jackson. He had developed a drinking problem as a player, a series of business ventures failed and 2 failed marriages, led him to being homeless and penniless. Jackson wanted to inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame, but since his former boss Conn Smythe President of the Hall of Fame. CSmythe, who once considered Jackson "priceless" tried to keep Jackson out of the Hall. His reasons; He felt that members of the Hall, should be chose on the basis of "playing ability, integrity, character and their contribution to their team". In addition, Smythe said "As long as Jackson lives, he must not be admitted to the Hall". Despite pleadings from Jackson's former teammate Charlie Conacher and writer Dick Beddoes, it fell on deaf ears by Smythe. Sadly, Jacson died at the age of 55. Five years after Jackon's Death, he was finally inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1971. Dick Beddos summed it up best of Jackson's induction by saying, "There is no humanity in an institution which waits five years to salute an individual just to be sure he is very dead. Flowers are worthless unless you are alive to smell them. In addition, in 1998, Jackson was ranked number 55 in the Hockey News'list of 100 greatest hockey players.