Tony Leswick; NHL All-Star on Red Wings

Tony Leswick, the feisty Detroit Red Wings forward who ended the 1954 Stanley Cup finals with a Game 7 overtime goal against Montreal, has died. He was 78.

Leswick, who also played on Detroit’s championship hockey teams in 1952 and 1955, died of cancer July 1 at a hospital in New Westminster, British Columbia.

The 5-foot-6, 160-pound left winger, known as “Mighty Mouse” for his diminutive stature and combative style, had 165 goals, 159 assists and 868 penalty minutes in 740 games with Detroit, the Chicago Blackhawks and New York Rangers. He had 13 goals and 10 assists in 59 playoff games.

“Tony was one of the toughest little guys who ever played,” former teammate Vic Stasiuk told the Detroit Free Press. “He led with his nose and with his chin.”

Born in Humboldt in Canada’s Saskatchewan province, Leswick joined the NHL in 1945 as a member of the Rangers. He appeared in six NHL All-Star games during his 13-year career. He coached minor league hockey after his retirement in 1958.

Leswick is survived by two sons, two daughters, two sisters and a brother, Pete, who also played in the NHL.