"This is important because he really is a Michigan legend, both on and off the ice," said Sen. Debbie Stabenow, who co-sponsored the resolution with fellow Michigan Sen. Gary Peters. "He really is someone who represents the heart, the soul, the toughness of what Detroit is all about. He was principled, an amazing, courageous guy."
The resolution, which was approved unanimously, pays homage to Lindsay's competitive spirit and his charitable compassion in a state and city that became the Renfrew, Ontario-native's home.
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"Ted Lindsay has forever left his mark on Hockeytown as one of the greatest players to play for the Red Wings," Peters said. "His contributions to Michiganders - on and off the ice - will never be forgotten."
The resolution notes that Lindsay "was known as a fierce competitor who earned the nicknames 'Terrible Ted' and 'Old Scarface' for his toughness" and that "the NHL developed 2 penalties, elbowing and kneeing, because of his physical play."
It acknowledges Lindsay as a high-scoring member of the Red Wings' "'Production Line' alongside Gordie Howe and Sid Abel, the most productive offensive scoring unit in the NHL from the late 1940s through the mid-1950s."
Lindsay played 1,068 regular-season NHL games for the Red Wings and Chicago Black Hawks. He had 851 points (379 goals, 472 assists) and accumulated 1,808 penalty minutes. He also had 96 points (47 goals, 49 assists) in 133 postseason games.
He won the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL's leading scorer in 1950 and was a driving force for Red Wings' teams that won the Stanley Cup in 1950, 1952, 1954 and 1955.
"In 1950, Ted Lindsay started one of the most beloved traditions in the NHL by lifting the Stanley Cup over his head and skating around the rink after winning the Stanley Cup Finals," the Senate resolution reads.
Lindsay's impact went beyond the ice. The resolution honors Lindsay's role in helping to organize what's now the NHL Players' Association and lauds his philanthropic endeavors through the Ted Lindsay Foundation.
In December 2018, the Lindsay Foundation pledged $1 million to support the Oakland University Center for Autism Outreach Services to help teenage and adult autism programming in the community.
"He raised millions of dollars to help find a cure for autism," Stabenow said. "He was open and outgoing, a guy who was just enthusiastic and all about Detroit."
