Chick Webster — Canadian ice hockey player

Playing career and characteristics

Webster's major-league experience was concise: he appeared in 14 games in the National Hockey League during the 1949–50 season. Like many contemporaries, he spent the majority of his career outside the NHL, participating in various senior and minor circuits that were an essential part of the professional hockey landscape at the time. Contemporary accounts emphasize his dedication and the journeyman nature of players of that era, who often moved between teams and leagues to pursue playing opportunities.

Historical context

The post-war decades saw an expansion of organized hockey beyond the NHL, with strong regional senior leagues and a stable minor-pro system. Players such as Webster exemplify a common career pattern: a talented local amateur who reached the NHL for a short period yet contributed many seasons of competitive hockey across North America. These careers helped sustain the sport's growth and provided depth to the professional game.

Later life and legacy

After his playing days, Webster remained part of hockey's broader community through public recognition and participation in local events. Following the death of Milt Schmidt in January 2017, Webster became the oldest living former NHL player, a distinction he held until his own death on January 18, 2018, in Mattawa, Ontario, at age 97. His longevity drew attention to the early generations of professional players and their place in the sport's history.

Notable facts

• Full name: John Robert "Chick" Webster.
• Born: November 3, 1920, in Toronto, Ontario.
• NHL appearances: 14 games with the New York Rangers (1949–50 season).
• Recognized as the oldest living former NHL player after January 2017 until his death in 2018.

While Chick Webster's NHL statistics are modest, his career reflects the broader story of Canadian hockey in the mid-20th century: many skilled players pursued professional and semi-professional opportunities beyond the major league, contributing to the depth, popularity, and regional traditions of the game.