Glenn Hall

Glenn was born on October 3, 1931 in Humboldt, Saskatchewan. A true prairie boy, he lived by the values of hard work, humility, and determination which stayed with him throughout his life. He leaves a legacy defined by excellence, endurance and humor along with quiet conviction that always trying your best is what matters most.

Glenn married Pauline Patrick of Kelvington, Saskatchewan in 1954. Together, they raised their four children, Pat, Leslie, Tammy, and Lindsay, and built a life centered on strong family values, friendship and community.

Glenn played minor hockey in Humboldt before being recruited by the Detroit Red Wings and moving on to major junior with the Windsor Spitfires. After turning pro, Detroit assigned him to Indianapolis and then to Edmonton where he spent three seasons. Identified as a top prospect, Detroit brought him up for the 1955-56

season, a debut that earned him the Rookie of the Year (Calder Trophy) and marked the beginning of an extraordinary NHL career. In 1957, Glenn was traded to the lastplace Chicago Black Hawks along with his good friend Ted Lindsay. Despite this challenge, Glenn flourished with his new team, winning the Stanley Cup in 1961 and earning the enduring nickname "Mr. Goalie." In the 1967 NHL expansion, he became the first player chosen by the St. Louis Blues, lending immediate credibility to the franchise, and earning the playoff MVP (Conn Smythe Trophy) that same season a rare distinction for a player whose team did not win the Stanley Cup.

A threetime Vezina trophy winner, Glenn invented the butterfly style of goaltending, a technique that forever transformed both the position and the game itself. He holds the records for the most AllStar games played (13) and the most First Team AllStar selections (7) by a goaltender. He also set one of the most remarkable endurance records in sports history with an Iron Man streak of 502 consecutive games played (he actually played 1,026 straight when his junior, minor pro and playoff games are factored in). After 18 seasons in the NHL, Glenn retired in 1971 and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1975. He was honoured in 1988 when the Chicago Blackhawks retired his #1. He returned to the game as a goaltending coach with the Calgary Flames and was a part of their Stanley Cup victory in 1989. In 2017, he was honored as one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players of All Time.

Regarded as one of hockey's most legendary goaltenders, Glenn's awards, records and achievements are numerous, yet those who knew him best remember a modest, thoughtful man who carried his success with quiet grace. Known for his quick wit and dry sense of humor, Glenn loved recalling the shenanigans, pranks, and funny moments he shared with teammates in locker rooms and on long road trips, and he treasured the friendships he formed both on and off the ice.

After hockey, Glenn and Pauline retired to life on their farm near Stony Plain where great family memories were made shinny games on the pond, trap shooting in the fields, woodworking in Glenn's shop, poetry reading by the fire, watching the garden grow, and baseball and golf in the front yard. An avid hunter, he never missed the annual fall goose hunt to Manning, AB.

In 2008, the town of Stony Plain honoured Glenn and Pauline's contributions to the community by renaming the local arena the Glenn Hall Centennial Arena, a recognition that holds special meaning for the entire Hall family. Glenn attended countless games and tournaments at the arena, enjoying the chance to connect with young players and taking pride in watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren play there.

Glenn's memory lives on through his children, Pat (Debbie) Hall, Leslie (Tom) Stevenson, Tammy Mennie, and Lindsay (Angie) Hall; grandchildren Carly (Kevin) Struik, Ryan (Tara) Hall, Michelle Stevenson, Grant (Christy) Stevenson, Megan (Richard) Woodman, Sadie (Dylan) Gejdos, Cole Mennie, Luke Hall, and Levi Hall; great-grandchildren Nolan and Nate Struik, Brookelynn Hall, Scarlett and Wyatt Stevenson, Olivia and Glenn Woodman; as well as many relatives, friends and fans. Glenn is predeceased by his wife Pauline; parents Agnes and Hank; and older brother Doug.

A heartfelt thank you to the wonderful staff at the Stony Plain Hospital for the care and kindness they showed Glenn.

We loved him dearly and will miss him always.

Glenn believed in the positive impact of team sport. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Sport Central to ensure children have the opportunity to benefit from the character building experiences of playing hockey.

Online donations can be made at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/76368

A funeral service will be held on Monday, January 19 at

1:00 p.m. at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 502152

Avenue, Stony Plain.