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Lot # 1632: 1960 Vic Hadfield Chicago Blackhawks Signed Players Contract

Category: Hockey

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Displayed is a 1960 Vic Hadfield Chicago Blackhawks signed contract. Hadfield, a left-wing who shot left-handed, signed the contract on Oct. 5, 1960, before the start of the NHL's 1960-61 season. Hadfield was already in the Blackhawks farm system, and he played the entire 1960-61 season for the Buffalo Bisons, the American Hockey League farm club of Chicago. In that season, Hadfield played 62 games, scoring five goals and adding 16 assists for 21 points. He was used as an enforcer, and he accumulated 111 penalty minutes. Hadfield never got to play for the Chicago Blackhawks because he was drafted before the next season in the NHL's Intra-League Draft by the New York Rangers, and he played for the Rangers for 13 seasons (1961-62 through 1972-73). He gradually transitioned into an improved offensive player, and eventually he played left-wing on a famous Ranger line known as the GAG Line (Goal-A-Game Line). The other forwards on that GAG Line were center Jean Ratelle and right-wing Rod Gilbert. Hadfield's best season was 1971-72 as he scored 50 goals and added 56 assists for 106 points with 142 penalty minutes, and he was named as the left-wing on the NHL's second All-Star Team and finished in 5th place for the Hart Trophy. Hadfield finished his career by playing three seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins. For his NHL play, Hadfield scored 262 goals, added 310 assists, and totaled 572 points. He also had 1,041 penalty minutes. In part, the contract reads, "NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE STANDARD PLAYER'S CONTRACT." The contract specifies a season payment of $7,500.00 to Hadfield if he plays the season for Chicago, but $4,500.00 if he plays the season in the minor league American Hockey League, which is what happened. The contract is signed by Hadfield (in neatly scripted blue ballpoint ink), NHL president, Clarence Campbell, and also Tommy Ivan, the team's President, for the Blackhawks. When totally unfolded, the two-page (two-sided) contract measures 11.5x17.75". Four fold lines remain, and the contract is in excellent condition. The contract's 21 clauses provide an interesting behind-the-scenes look at an actual player contract from the start of the 1960s era, and it makes a great remembrance for one of the New York Rangers' best all-time players.

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