Jim Thomson arrived in Chicago before the 1957-58 NHL season under circumstances that went well beyond hockey. Like former Detroit Red Wings star Ted Lindsay, Thomson had been a prominent supporter of efforts to establish an NHL players’ association. Neither man’s involvement sat particularly well with the league’s owners, and both found themselves with the Chicago Blackhawks for the 1957-58 season.
Highlights
Jim Thomson joined Chicago for the 1957-58 season, his final NHL campaign.
Thomson and Ted Lindsay had both been involved in efforts to establish a players’ association.
On October 29, 1957, Chicago hosted Detroit at Chicago Stadium.
Thomson scored at 12:56 of the third period, assisted by Jack McIntyre and Bobby Hull.
The goal was the only one in a 1-0 Blackhawks victory.
Glenn Hall recorded the shutout against Terry Sawchuk and the Red Wings.
Thomson had not scored since March 20, 1955, more than two and a half years earlier.
“The Scoreless Wonder” finished his NHL career with just 19 goals in 787 games, but was a two-time Second Team All-Star and four-time Stanley Cup champion.
For Thomson, it would be his final year in the NHL. The veteran defenseman had never been known for his scoring. In fact, his Toronto Maple Leafs teammates had dubbed him “The Scoreless Wonder.” Yet, on October 29, 1957, Thomson became the unlikely offensive hero when Chicago hosted Lindsay’s former Detroit Red Wings at Chicago Stadium.
The game remained scoreless deep into the third period, with Glenn Hall and Terry Sawchuk matching each other at opposite ends of the ice. Finally, at 12:56 of the third, Thomson broke through. He beat Sawchuk for his first goal as a Blackhawk, with Jack McIntyre and a young Bobby Hull picking up the assists. Nobody scored again, giving Chicago a 1-0 victory and Hall the shutout.
The goal was especially remarkable considering how rarely Thomson found the back of the net. He finished his NHL career with just 19 goals in 787 regular-season games, including four game winners and one shorthanded marker. Before scoring against Sawchuk that night, Thomson had gone more than two and a half years without an NHL goal. His previous one had come on March 20, 1955, while playing for Toronto against the New York Rangers.
Of course, scoring goals was never what made Thomson valuable. The dependable blue liner was twice named a Second Team NHL All-Star and helped the Maple Leafs win four Stanley Cup championships during his first five full seasons with the club. He also briefly served as Toronto's captain during the 1956-57 season.
Thomson would finish his lone season in Chicago with four goals, matching his career high. But perhaps none better suited “The Scoreless Wonder” than the one he scored on October 29, 1957. After going 31 months without a goal, the defensive defenseman finally scored again and fittingly, it was the only goal anyone scored all night.
The Big 50: Chicago Blackhawks (The Men and Moments that Made the Chicago Blackhawks)
Relive the greatest players, personalities, and turning points in Blackhawks history in this countdown of the 50 most influential figures and moments that shaped the franchise.
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