Remembering Blackhawks Greatest 15
One of six players in franchise history to appear in at least 1,000 career games with the Chicago Blackhawks, Eric Nesterenko spent 15 of his 21 NHL seasons in Chicago, where he accumulated 495 points (207 goals, 288 assists) and 1,014 penalty minutes in 1,013 games from 1956-1972. He also had 35 points (13 goals, 22 assists) in 115 postseason contests. Nesterenko was tied with Stan Mikita for fourth on the 1961 Stanley Cup-winning team with 19 goals.
Nesterenko is one of only two players in franchise history with at least 1,000 games played and 1,000 penalty minutes. The other is Stan Mikita, who appeared in 1,396 games and logged 1,264 penalty minutes.
Nesterenko played his first five seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs before being traded to the Blackhawks for cash. He compiled 574 points (250 goals, 324 assists) in 1,219 career NHL games.
He ranks seventh in franchise history in games played � Jonathan Toews passed him for sixth in the Hawks' last game of the 2021-22 season � and ninth in penalty minutes.
He spent his last season (1973-74) with the Chicago Cougars of the World Hockey Association before enjoying a colorful post-hockey career, starring alongside Rob Lowe in the 1986 hockey movie ��Youngblood'' and working as a ski instructor in Vail, Colorado.
Nicknamed «elbows,» he was a valued member of the Blackhawks' penalty kill during a successful run for the team. He reliably shadowed opposing snipers and killed penalties over a long period of years beside specialty partners such as Bill Hay, Chico Maki and Lou Angotti. When opportunity and space permitted, Nesterenko could pounce. He tallied 25 times while shorthanded, including six in 1964-65. Nesterenko helped the team to the 1961 Stanley Cup championship along with 12 other playoff appearances in his tenure.
During one game in 1961, Nesterenko infamously attacked Willie O'Ree, the first black player in the NHL, with racial slurs and butt-ended O'Ree with his hockey stick, breaking O'Ree's nose and knocking out his front teeth. O'Ree retaliated with his stick and Nesterenko required 15 stitches in his head.
Unfortunately, Nesterenko passed away in early June at the age of 88.
| POLL | ||
Which Nesterenko stat is more impressive? | ||
| 7th in games played | 68 | 31.5 % |
| 9th in penalty minutes | 44 | 20.4 % |
| All of the Above | 104 | 48.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
