On an October night in 1958 at the old Chicago Stadium, Alex “Fats” Delvecchio delivered one of the most efficient offensive performances of his Hall of Fame career. Despite playing 1,550 NHL games and scoring 456 career goals, Delvecchio recorded only three hat tricks and the first arrived on October 18, 1958, in a 3-1 Detroit Red Wings victory over the Chicago Blackhawks.
Delvecchio wasted no time getting Detroit on the board. Just 1:48 into the first period, he slipped the puck past Chicago star goaltender Glenn Hall, with an assist from Gordie Howe. Chicago answered later in the frame with a goal from Ed Litzenberger, but that would be the only puck to elude Red Wings netminder Terry Sawchuk all night.
Early in the second period, Delvecchio struck again. At 1:25, with Chicago’s Al Arbour serving a penalty, Delvecchio buried a power-play marker that held up as the game-winning goal. Howe and Norm Ullman picked up the helpers as Detroit regained control.
The natural storybook ending arrived midway through the third. At 5:47, Delvecchio completed his hat trick, once again set up by Howe, securing all of Detroit’s scoring on the night and sealing one of the most memorable games of his storied career.
Delvecchio finished the 1958-59 season with 19 goals and 35 assists for 54 points, taking just three minor penalties in 70 games. His sportsmanship and steady excellence earned him his first of three Lady Byng Trophies, and in 1977 he took his rightful place in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
About Alex Delvecchio
Alex “Fats” Delvecchio stands as one of the most consistent, durable, and respected players in NHL history. Spending his entire 24-season career (1950-1974) with the Detroit Red Wings, Delvecchio became a cornerstone of the franchise through three different eras of hockey. Known for his smooth playmaking, calm on-ice presence, and gentlemanly style, he was a key contributor alongside legends such as Gordie Howe, Ted Lindsay, and Terry Sawchuk.
Delvecchio played 1,550 regular-season games, the second-most in league history at the time of his retirement and still among the highest totals today for a player who spent his entire career with one team. He scored 456 goals and 825 assists for 1,281 points, making him one of the most productive centers of his generation. His skill set leaned toward playmaking excellence, and his reliability earned him the trust of coaches in all situations: power play, even strength, and key defensive shifts.
Known for exceptional sportsmanship, Delvecchio won the Lady Byng Trophy three times (1959, 1966, 1969), reflecting his ability to excel offensively without taking penalties. Despite his longevity, he accumulated remarkably few penalty minutes, just 383 over more than two decades. His poise and consistency made him a model of professionalism.
Delvecchio was also a three-time Stanley Cup champion, helping Detroit win titles in 1952, 1954, and 1955. Though overshadowed at times by Howe’s superstar presence, Delvecchio was a vital engine of Detroit’s offense and the steady center on some of the most iconic lines in NHL history, including the later iterations of the Production Line.
After retiring as a player, Delvecchio continued contributing to hockey as a coach and executive with the Red Wings. His lifelong dedication to the team capped a career defined by loyalty, leadership, and elite performance.
In 1977, Alex Delvecchio was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest and most respected players the Detroit Red Wings have ever produced.
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NHL Hockey Trivia: Alex Delvecchio
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