( Photo Credit: Stanley Cup of Chowder | Stanleycupchowder.com )
By: Andrew Lindroth | Follow me on Twitter @andrewlindrothh
Terry Reardon was born on April 6th, 1919, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He began playing for the St.Boniface Seals (MJHL) as a 16-year-old forward from 1935 until 1937, playing a total of 29 games with 31-13-44 numbers. In October of 1937, his rights were traded to the Boston Bruins by the NY Americans, sending Reardon to the Brandon Wheat Kings (MJHL) for his final year in juniors. He appeared in 16 games and won the league scoring title with 29-16-45 numbers. After that season, he was assigned to the Bruins’ minor-pro affiliate, the Hershey Bears (IAHL).
During the 1938-1939 season, Reardon suited up for 50 games with the Bears, posting 7-20-27 numbers, before being called up to the Bruins for his first National Hockey League appearance at 19-years-old. He played four regular-season games but failed to register a point. The Bruins went on to win the Stanley Cup that season in 1939 and engraved Reardon’s name on the cup, making him a Stanley Cup champion. The following season, the right-winger continued to develop with the Bears, playing 55 games with 13-24-37 numbers and played just one game for the Bruins during the playoffs, registering an assist. In 1940, he appeared in 19 games with the Bears until he was called back up to play for the Bruins, and this time suited up for 35 games, scoring six goals and 11 points. The Bruins went on to sweep the Detroit Red Wings to win the Stanley Cup in 1941, with Reardon assisting on the winning goal in the final game.
The 5’10, 170-pound forward had his journey in Boston come to a screeching pause the following season when Boston loaned his rights to the Montreal Canadians in exchange for the loan of Paul Gauthier’s rights. Reardon was productive for Montreal during the 1941-1942 season, playing in 33 games with 17-17-34 numbers. That season, Montreal advanced to the playoffs but quickly were eliminated in the first round. He continued the following season with Montreal, playing in only 13 games, posting 6-6-12 numbers before joining the military. While serving in the military, he played for teams such as the Montreal Army (MCHL) and Nanaimo Army (NNDHL) before being deployed to France. Unfortunately, Reardon was wounded while taking part in D-Day in 1944. Reports at the time described the injury as a severe shoulder injury, leaving many to think his days of playing professional hockey were coming to an end sooner rather than later. The big bad Bruin did not let the injury stop him as he rehabbed his way back, playing another two seasons with the Bruins from 1945-1947.
In 1945, Reardon re-joined the Bruins and played 49 games that season, producing 12-11-33 numbers, and led the Bruins to another Stanley Cup Finals appearance in 1946. The forward scored the overtime game-winning goal in game-four, but the Bruins ended up losing the series to Montreal in game-five. He spent his final season with Boston in 1946-1947, suiting up for 60 games and contributing 6-14-20 numbers. Reardon retired from the NHL in 1947 and was then named playing-coach for the Bruins minor-pro affiliate, Providence Reds (AHL).
( Photo Credit: Chicago Tribune | Chicagotribune.com )
Reardon coached for the Providence Reds from 1947-1953, winning the Calder Cup in 1949, and finishing with a record of 202-184-22. He did not coach again until 1966 when he was named head coach of the Baltimore Clippers (AHL). He coached Baltimore for three seasons, finishing with a record of 103-74-29. During his final season as head coach in 1971, he received the Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award for coach of the year. According to the Hockey Database, he continued as a co-coach for Baltimore from 1971 until 1976 before retiring. Reardon coached a total of 794 games in the American Hockey League and is currently fifth on the all-time list.
Terry Reardon passed away on February 14th, 1993, at the age of 73 in Kirkland, Quebec, Canada. In his six-year tenure in the NHL, he suited up for 194 games and finished with 47-53-100 numbers. Happy Birthday, ‘Terrible Terry’
Check out the new Black N’ Gold Hockey Podcast episode 173 that we recorded below on 4-4-20! You can find our show on many worldwide platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, SoundCloud, and Stitcher.
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