By Mariana Echeverri Alvarez, Communications Coordinator
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Ted Irvine
Ted Irvine’s Unlikely NHL Journey
For most teenagers, being pulled out of a matinee by their father would be a life-scarring nightmare. But Ted Irvine was not most teenagers.
In 1963, the 18-year-old was watching The Great Escape at the Metropolitan Theatre in downtown Winnipeg when his dad’s voice suddenly interrupted the show.
“Come with me. You’re going to Boston,” Herb Irvine instructed his son.
Ted was on his way to the NHL.
First Flight, First Game, First Big-League Moment
After his first-ever flight to Toronto, Ted accompanied his new teammates to Boston. His father’s advice echoed in his mind: “If they give you any money, put it in your shoe. You never know who you’re going to meet.”
Coach Lynn Patrick handed the rookie a $100 bill—a sight Irvine had never seen before—and told him he’d make his NHL debut that night against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The instructions? Go back to the team hotel and order a meal.
Instead, the kid from Isaac Brock made do with 50 cents, opting for an egg salad sandwich and chocolate milk from the hotel vending machine. Not exactly the feast you’d expect before an NHL debut.
Welcome to the NHL
Irvine’s first shift was anything but ordinary. Eddie Shack kneed him in the chest, earning Irvine a penalty. Gasping for breath on the bench, defenseman Leo Boivin turned to him and said, “You’re in the NHL, kid. Keep your head up.”
Though Irvine played just one game for the Bruins, it was a stepping stone. After four years in the Bruins’ farm system, he was picked up by the Los Angeles Kings when the NHL expanded in 1967. He spent three years with the Kings before being traded to the New York Rangers, where his career truly took off.
Turning Point with the Rangers
Worried that his initial lack of production with the Rangers might send him to the minors, Irvine made a bold decision during training camp: he took a run at Jean Ratelle, one of the most respected players in Rangers history. Ratelle knocked him flat.
After the game, Irvine apologized to Ratelle, who gave him surprising advice: “Keep hitting people. We need you to do that.” That conversation transformed Irvine’s approach, and his career followed suit.
He scored 89 goals for the Rangers over the next five seasons, becoming a key part of their lineup.
Off the Ice: Irvine’s Legacy of Giving Back
Ted Irvine’s contributions extended well beyond his 14-year hockey career. He became heavily involved in working with people with disabilities, which earned him the Charlie Conacher Humanitarian Award in 1975. His efforts didn’t stop there; Irvine also co-founded Special Olympics Manitoba, leaving a lasting legacy on and off the ice.
Want to hear more about Ted Irvine’s journey and his contributions both on and off the ice? Join us at the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony to celebrate his remarkable career alongside other Manitoba sports legends.
Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Thursday, November 7, 2024
7:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m)
Victoria Inn, Winnipeg, MB
Get your tickets now and be part of an evening celebrating Manitoba’s finest athletes.
