Height: 5-8
Weight: 170
Shoot: L
Born: 11 Dec 1936, Togo SK
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Regular Season & Playoff Scoring Record (key)
| year | team | |||||||||||
| 1972-73 | Minnesota | |||||||||||
| 1973-74 | Minnesota | |||||||||||
| 1974-75 | Minnesota | |||||||||||
| 1975-76 | Minnesota | |||||||||||
| Quebec | ||||||||||||
| Totals (2 teams) | ||||||||||||
| Totals: |
• Winner, Paul Deneau Trophy (Most Gentlemany), 1972-73.
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Excerpts from Zander Hollander's Guide to Pro Hockey, 1975-76 (by Reyn Davis)
Nicknamed "Tick" because of his skin-tight checking ability... Has been the Saints captain since their formation... Looks much younger than his age... Coach Harry Neale said of him, "The only bad thing about Teddy Hampson is that if he ever quit to start coaching, he wouldn't have a Teddy Hampson on his team"... Has scored 17 goals every season that he's been a Saint... Fine penalty killer... Summertime golf pro in Flin Flon, where the course is carved out of rock... Voted Most Sportsmanlike player in both major leagues. |
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Teddie of the Saints • by Charley Hallman • The Hockey Spectator • March 30, 1973
Sometimes it's hard to believe Teddie Hampson is a real, live person, much less a hockey player. Whatever he does, he looks like a motorized toy zipping through an animated cartoon. The Minnesota Fighting Saints left wing forward has unbelievable energy. And he feels he has to prove this daily. Hampson is 36 years old. That, in itself, is hard to believe. Anyone who has watched the Togo, Saskatchewan, native (and longtime resident of Flin Flon, Manitoba) play realizes Ted Hampson has got where he is by hustle. "Ted works as hard as any player I've ever seen," said Fighting Saints general manager Glen Sonmor recently. "He'll never score a lot of goals, but he's been invaluable to us. He's inspirational for the younger players and is team captain — our leader." Hampson's finest achievement in the game of hockey came after the 1968-69 season, when he was the recipient of the National Hockey League's Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, given for exemplifying perseverance, dedication, and sportsmanship in the game. That year, he had 29 goals and 53 assists for the California Golden Seals, his best in Major League hockey in a career that has included two and one-half seasons with the New York Rangers, three seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, three seasons with the Seals, and a year and a half with the Minnesota North Stars. Last season, the North Stars left their best penalty killer unprotected in the expansion draft, and he was plucked away from the Stars by the New York Islanders. Rather than leave Minnesota, which he had decided was to be his permanent home, Ted decided to join the World Hockey Association. He was the only NHLer represented by Toronto attorney Alan Eagleson to change leagues. "I talked with the Islander people more than a little," said Hampson. "If I had been single, I probably would have gone with them. But we've come to love Minnesota and this is the place our family will live when I retire." Late in the first WHA season, Hampson is the Saints' second-leading scorer, although he hasn't reached the 20-goal plateau yet. "It's been disappointing in that respect," Hampson said. "But, then again, I've never been a great goal scorer." Mr. Hustle has only 108 goals in the NHL but was considered a top playmaker, having 245 lifetime assists. "Sometimes you get down," said fellow Saint Mike McMahon. "And you see Teddy racing around like a racehorse. It's bound to inspire you. He's a fine example for our younger players." "He's always been a clean liver," said Sonmor. "And I think that is why we have one of the best groups of solid citizens I've ever seen. It's hard to believe we could build a hockey team without a playboy but we did. Sure, everyone enjoys a good time, but none of the stuff they write movies about goes on while we're on the road." Sonmor attributes this to the leadership of Ted Hampson. Hampson wasn't always a playmaker. In fact, he and Saint teammates Mel Pearson and George Konik led the Flin Flon Bombers to the Memorial Cup in 1955-56. Hampson was that team's leader in total points. Has he enjoyed his and league's first season? "You bet I have," said Ted. "The Saints are first class in every respect. We have a fine new building to play in and our crowds have been quite good." Hampson is very much in demand as a public speaker in the area. Recently, a Robbinsdale, Minnesota, man wrote the Saints executive offices a letter about one of Hampson's appearances: "Ted Hampson was a perfect gentleman. He did everything we asked him to do at our boys club meeting and more. He signed autographs until his arm nearly fell off, talked with everyone, showed great leadership and great personal poise." "If this is what the World Hockey Association is about then more power to you. This has not always been true for other professional athletes we've had. We'd like your permission to have Ted Hampson back for our next sports banquet." |
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