Legends: Alex Faulkner

In the post game interviews after the Detroit Red Wings won the Stanley Cup, Daniel Cleary gave a shout out saying "Alex, we did it."

The Alex he was talking about was Alex Faulkner, the last Newfoundlander to play a game in the Stanley Cup Finals. Alex Faulkner lost in his attempt in a 6 team league as a rookie for the Detroit Red Wings.

In these days of a 30 team league, Alex Faulkner would be an NHL all star, and Dan Cleary gave his respect to that. A native of Bishop Falls NFLD, Faulkner is often credited as the first player from the Rock to play in the NHL. He played one game for the Toronto Maple Leafs before they traded his rights to the Red Wings.

In 70 games for the Red Wings he managed 10 goals and 10 assists for an even 20 points, but in the playoffs, he had 5 goals in 8 games as Detroit managed to lose in the Cup finals. Faulkner played a 4th line role for 30 more games as a Detroit RedWing. After which he declined contract offers from the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens, as construction jobs in Newfoundland paid more money for a young father.

"Do I regret? Never. I played on the wing with Gordie Howe, how many people can say that?"

"Do I regret not winning the Stanley Cup? A little bit, but I was young and thought I would one day. But the dream is the same as you, or him (pointing to a child), we all want to win it. But the majority of us will not."

Alex Faulkner is most known for his professional hockey record of goals and points per game. In 1958/59 he played 25 games racking up

103 goals, 49 assists, 152 points as a "Minor Pro" - which in today's standards is 1st line NHL All Star.

The following year he had 86 points including 41 goals in 11 playoff games. That's an average of 8 points a game. Think about it. 

These days you can run into Alex Faulkner at the Windsor Pentacostal Church every Sunday in Grand Falls/Windsor, Newfoundland. He does not stand out in any way until pointed out, and as a wide eyed child, he'll spend hours with you to tell his stories of playing in the NHL. He carries around a hockey card from the 50s of himself in his wallet in case you're unsure he did in fact play. The nicest man around, a legend for his scoring records, but a legend for his humbleness and willing to tell his story 100 times a day if needed.