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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
RAYNER, Claude Earl (Chuck) - died Oct. 6 at his home in Langley, British Columbia, the league confirmed Wednesday.
Rayner played eight seasons with the New York Rangers from 1945-53 and two with the Brooklyn/New York Americans, compiling a career goals-against average of 3.05 with 25 shutouts.
During World War II, while playing for a touring Royal Canadian Armed Forces All-Star team, Rayner became the first goalie to skate the length of the ice and score a goal.
Rayner was part of the first goalie platoon in 1945-46, often sharing duties with Sugar Jim Henry, sometimes from game to game, sometimes from period to period. That was at a time when the six NHL teams usually carried just one goaltender and was two decades before teams went to the two-goalie system.
In 1950, he won the Hart Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1973.
" [The Second World War] had been on for three years by that time so I figured it was time for me to follow what my teammates were doing. So, I enlisted in the Canadian Navy for the duration. I had no idea whether there'd be a team for me when I got discharged." - Chuck Rayner Click on the above photos to view larger images Source: Royal Canadian Navy Official Facebook page
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