Many players over the course of hockey history have had there first names replaced by a great nickname. Butch Goring. Tiger Williams. Bunny Larocque. Rocket Richard. Pokey Reddick. All fine examples. The same can be said about Lawrence " Baldy" Northcott.The other day someone asked me what was Baldy Northcott's given name. I have to admit, I had no idea. I had always known him as Baldy! It turns out his real name is Lawrence by the way.
So Lawrence was nicknamed Baldy because of his lack of hair right? Wrong! Northcott was nicknamed Baldy out of sarcasm. Northcott had a beautiful mane of dark, thick hair which he adored.
Northcott was a big scrappy winger who also saw some action on defense. He loved to play a rugged style that saw him dominate the corners in his day. He was a Rick Tocchet or Shayne Corson of his day.
Baldy broke in with the Montreal Maroons late in 1929. Soon he was placed on a line with speedy Jim Ward and Dave Trottier, who later was replaced by the incredible Hooley Smith. Twice Northcott scored 20 goals in an era when 20 was an incredible total. Another year he scored 19. But it was his aggressive play that was his true contribution to the team.
The Maroons won the Stanley Cup in 1935 and Northcott was a big part of that. He led all playoff scorers in scoring with 4 goals and 5 points. 3 of his 4 goals were game winners. If they had given out a playoff MVP award back then, surely Northcott would have won it that year.
Northcott played 8 full seasons for the Maroons before playing one quiet season with the Boston Bruins in 1938-39. Northcott, originally from Calgarcy, then retired from the NHL and head back out west and coach junior hockey in the Winnipeg area.
