AS one of the many premier players to come out of the Lakehead, Danny Lewicki holds an impressive achievement, that in all likelihood, will never be matched.
He is the only player in history to win a Memorial Cup, Allan Cup and Stanley Cup while still being junior-hockey eligible.
Born in 1931 and growing up in the city’s East End, Lewicki began his time in junior as a youngster with the Fort William Columbus Club where he spent parts of three campaigns.
After being nearly a three-point-per-game producer in 1948 with his side, where he led the way in regular season (19) and playoff (12) tallies, he was then loaned to the Thunder Bay Junior Hockey League-champion Port Arthur West End Bruins for their historic run to the Memorial Cup.
That pickup of the crafty forward proved pivotal for the Bruins as Lewicki continued his dynamic prowess and was a star for them.
Commencing the trail to the Memorial Cup at home against the Winnipeg Monarchs, Port Arthur won the first two meetings of the match-up by scores of 12-3 and 6-4.
Heading to the Manitoba capital for the remainder of the series, the Bruins and Monarchs would split the next four games to help the local side move on.
Next up were the Lethbridge Native Sons, who took a 3-1 series lead in the best-of-seven affair, only to see the Bruins storm back with three-straight triumphs, including a 5-0 shutout at home in Game 5 and an 11-1 drubbing in the finale.
Moving on to the Memorial Cup final against the Barrie Flyers, the entire affair would be played at a neutral site, which was Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto.
The high-octane Port Arthur squad piled up 32 tallies in a four-game sweep of the Flyers as they brought out the brooms in winning by scores of 10-8, 8-1, 5-4 and 9-8 (OT).
Dubbed ‘Dashin’ Danny’ for his swift skating style and elite-level talent, Lewicki notched the game-winning goal in that last match-up with Barrie, striking just past the eight and a half minute-mark in overtime, to give the Lakehead yet another national championship.
In the West End Bruins’ remarkable run that year, he racked up 40 points in just 17 postseason contests by burying 21 goals and doling out 19 helpers.
Still just 17, Lewicki headed to southern Ontario in the fall of 1948 and joined the Stratford Kroehlers of the OHA Jr. A loop where he was once again well over a point-per-game performer.
Finding the back of the net on 22 occasions and setting up 24 more for 46 points in 29 appearances, he went on to be tabbed a second team OHA All-Star at left wing.
Highly regarded after yet another remarkable season, the diminutive and gifted five-foot-eight-inch Lewicki was recruited by the fabled Toronto Marlboros the following year where he played junior for them throughout the campaign, then was added to their senior side, who Lewicki led to an Allan Cup crown.
The Marlboros took care of the Calgary Stampeders in a final that went five games. The Stamps had earlier defeated the Fort Frances Canadians in the west final in as many outings.
Lewicki was once again an offensive star for Toronto in their trek to claiming the Canadian senior hockey trophy, while pacing them offensively in goals, assists and points with 22, 20 and 42, respectively.
With two championships already earned as a junior-aged player, Lewicki would look to complete his trifecta of titles in 1950-51 as he made his National Hockey League debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs, while still just 19 years of age.
Next time: Part II on Dashin’ Danny Lewicki.