Bill Juzda, former Leafs' defenceman, 87
La N
Former Leafs' defenceman Juzda dies at 87
Updated at 9:22 PM
By Bill Redekop
Bill Juzda was the nemesis of Rocket Richard.
A giant among hockey players known for his running battles with Montreal
Canadiens star Rocket Richard has died.
Bill "The Beast" Juzda, who also won two Stanley Cups as a stay-at-home
defenceman with the Toronto Maple Leafs, died of cancer at age 87.
Stay-at-home was an apt description of Juzda in retirement, too. After his
playing career was over, he returned to his hometown Winnipeg, where he
worked as an engineer with the CPR. He coached amateur hockey at all levels,
from midget to senior.
He also served as a pilot in the Second World War.
One of two sons, Stuart, recalled his father fondly.
"He always said, 'What does a little boy want to be when he sees a train go
by? An engineer. And what does a little boy want to be when a plane goes by?
A pilot. And what does a little boy want to be when he sees the Toronto
Maple Leafs? A hockey player. Well, I've been all three.'"
A famous photograph shows Juzda and Rocket Richard after Juzda bodychecked
the Rocket into the boards and shattered the glass. "He was very
competitive. He was known as Rocket Richard's Anglo nemesis," Stuart said.
In another famous photo, he's on the ice when Bill Barilko scored the
Cup-winning overtime goal for the Maple Leafs in 1951.
He earned his nickname The Beast because of his crushing bodychecks. "He was
a very defensive defenceman, the old-fashioned kind," said Stuart.
"Actually, if you look at the penalty minutes, he had very few."
Juzda started his pro career with the New York Rangers in 1940-41. He was
traded to the Leafs in 1948, and was an all-star in 1948 and '49. He won
Stanley Cups with the Leafs in 1949 and 1951 before retiring in 1952.
Juzda's parents were Ukrainian immigrants from the province of Galicia, then
controlled by the Austro-Hungarian empire. They arrived in about 1914. Juzda
grew up in Winnipeg's North End.
"He's always been a Winnipegger," Stuart said.
Juzda was sick for about a month before he died. He is survived by his wife,
Beryl, two sons and four grandchildren.
No funeral is planned. There will be a quick cremation and a memorial
service will be held next month, the family said.