Ross Wilson

Ross Ingram "Lefty" Wilson (October 15, 1919 – November 4, 2002) was a Canadian ice hockey player. He served as an emergency goaltender on three occasions between 1953 and 1957, playing one game with each of the Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Boston Bruins.

Biography Wilson was a trainer for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League from 1950–1982. He won four Stanley Cup championships with Detroit, in 1950, 1952, 1954 and 1955. He was one of the early pioneers of the goaltender's protective mask, making the iconic mask that Terry Sawchuk wore, among many others.

Wilson, who played goal in Junior A, the American Hockey League, and in senior leagues, served as an emergency backup goaltender for the Red Wings and for visiting teams, which was customary among NHL trainers in the days before designated backup goaltenders. On October 10, 1953 Wilson suited up for the Red Wings in relief for an injured Sawchuk, in a losing effort, playing 16 minutes. On January 22, 1956 Wilson played for the Maple Leafs, replacing an injured Harry Lumley in another loss, playing 13 minutes and stopping 9 shots. On December 29, 1957 Wilson played for Boston, replacing an injured Don Simmons in a game that ended in a 2-2 tie, playing 52 minutes, allowing a goal, and making 23 saves.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP W L T MIN GA SO GAA SV% GP W L MIN GA SO GAA SV% 1937–38 Toronto Lions OHA 11 — — — 660 72 0 6.55 — — — — — — — — — 1944–45 Toronto Navy TIHL 7 5 2 0 430 33 0 4.60 — 7 4 3 420 47 0 6.71 — 1944–45 Toronto Uptown Tires TMHL 8 4 4 0 480 41 0 5.13 — 1 0 1 60 7 0 7.00 — 1945–46 Omaha Knights USHL 3 — — — 180 15 0 4.99 — — — — — — — — — 1945–46 St. Paul Saints USHL 1 — — — 60 4 0 4.00 — — — — — — — — — 1947–48 Indianapolis Capitals AHL 2 0 1 0 80 7 0 5.25 — — — — — — — — — 1948–49 Indianapolis Capitals AHL 2 1 0 0 80 4 0 3.00 — — — — — — — — — 1949–50 Indianapolis Capitals AHL 3 2 1 0 180 12 0 4.00 — — — — — — — — — 1953–54 Detroit Red Wings NHL 1 0 0 0 17 0 0 0.00 — — — — — — — — — 1955–56 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 1 0 0 0 14 0 0 0.00 1.000 — — — — — — — — 1957–58 Boston Bruins NHL 1 0 0 1 52 1 0 1.16 .958 — — — — — — — — NHL totals 3 0 0 1 81 1 0 0.74 — — — — — — — — —