In the autumn of 1939 a young man threw his hockey gear into the back of a transport truck and climbed into the cab. He was leaving his hometown of Mount Dennis to play junior hockey in Owen Sound, Ontario. Little did he know that the career that lay ahead would be a roller-coaster ride of highs experienced from setting records and winning championships, but also burdened with devastating disappointment.
Many hockey fans, who saw Tommy Burlington play hockey, rank him with Wayne Gretzky as one of the best hockey players that they ever saw!
When players, reporters and hockey historians, meet someone from Owen Sound, many immediately ask if they knew Tommy Burlington, or saw him play. When the same question is asked of them, the response is always the same. "Tommy Burlington was one of the best!"
Tommy Burlington was born on August 8, 1920 in Toronto. After a season of junior hockey, he remained in Owen Sound, playing Intermediate hockey. The following season, 1941-42, Burlington signed with the Eastern Hockey League's Atlantic City Seagulls. Burlington stayed in Atlantic City for only one season. But what a season! He terrorized goaltenders, setting a league scoring record with 65 goals and 66 assists.
His scoring prowess and play making ability came to the attention of the AHL's Cleveland Barons.
In his second season with the Barons, Burlington became an AHL all-star. The 23-year-old led his team in scoring with 33 goals and 49 assists and Cleveland finished first in the AHL Western Division. His 24 game scoring streak set a league record. Former Barons' teammate Whitey Prokop described Tommy as "the Wayne Gretzky of his day".
Burlington's scoring feats are even more phenomenal when you consider that he only had vision in one eye.
Tommy came to the attention of the Chicago Black Hawks. But before he could play in the NHL, a rule was passed blocking limited vision players from playing in that league. Toronto owner, Conn Smythe, supposedly proposed this rule. Despite the fact that this rule kept Tommy from fulfilling his NHL dreams, he held no malice towards Smythe. He said "I never held it against him because he was good for hockey and he did a great deal for crippled children."
Burlington scored 30 goals and 60 assists, leading the Barons to another first place finish in their division and the Calder Cup in 1944-45. The next season Tommy again led the team in scoring. Despite his scoring abilities and popularity in Cleveland, Tommy was traded at season's end to Providence.
In 1947, Tommy returned to play senior hockey in Owen Sound. Burlington led the powerful Mercurys' to the Allan Cup in 1950-51. The 1953-54 team looked like it was about to capture another Canadian Championship. But late in the season disaster struck. Burlington was scoring at a record-breaking pace, when, late in the season, he broke his leg. The absence of their great scorer was too much. Sudbury eliminated the Mercurys in the Ontario finals.
In senior hockey, Burlington attracted considerable attention. Legendary coach, Punch Imlach made the trek to Owen Sound to convince Tommy to join his Quebec Aces. Punch told him, "If you sign with me, I'll have the best three centers in amateur hockey, Jean Beliveau, Tommy Burlington and Herb Carnegie!"
Burlington chose to remain in Owen Sound, saying, "I had enough of traveling and my wife is from Owen Sound. And, I always liked Owen Sound. The fans were great sports fans and they knew their hockey."
An indication of Burlington's hockey magic was revealed in an interview with NHL Hall of Fame goalie Harry Lumley. The legendary goaltender often practiced with Burlington and other players. Lumley said that during these scrimmages, Tommy would tell him what he was going to do such as "deke left and shoot high to the right side". But no matter how many times he knew what was about the happen, Burlington would still put the puck past him.
After interviewing several people who had either reported on his games, played with him or against him, or had cheered his moves from the stands, there can be only one conclusion. Despite the fact that he only had vision in one eye, Tommy Burlington's name belongs with Gretzky, Howe and the other legends of the game!
