Marty Barry

Marty Barry didn't make it to the NHL until he was 24 years old but once he did, he quickly established himself as one of the game' s greatest.

A great skater and prolific playmaker, Barry played briefly with the New York Americans during the 1927-28 season but didn't stick in the NHL until he joined the Bruins in 1929. In Bostone became an solid second line center but by 1933 he developed into perhaps the Bruins top offensive threat. He led his Bruins in scoring for 3 consecutive seasons.

Barry joined the Wings in 1935 after six years with Boston. He played on a line with Larry Aurie and Herbie Lewis. Nicknamed "Goal-a-game" Barry, he led the American Division in scoring in 1935-36, and was second overall. Barry played in 4 seasons with the Wings, 3 of which he led them in scoring. He helped Detroit to win the Stanley Cup in both 1936 and 1937. He was also a First All Star and Lady Byng Trophy winner in the 1936-37 season.

A Detroit sports writer of the times compared Barry to Detroit Tigers' outfielder Charlie Gehringer.

"Like the great Black Knight of the Tiger infield, Marty Berry possesses that faculty of mechanical perfection. He sweeps the ice with such smooth, rhythmic strides his play seems effortless. He is called hockey's greatest passer," wrote Detroit Times writer Bob Murphy.

While with Detroit he played in the longest NHL game on record March 24, 1936, a playoff game against the Montreal Maroons at the Forum in Montreal. The Wings won 1-0 on a goal scored by Mud Bruneteau at the 16-minute mark of the sixth overtime period. The game lasted 176 minutes, ending at 2:25 the next morning.

Barry described that game. "The rink seemed like it was miles long along about 10 minutes to 2 o'clock in the morning. Players of both teams were praying for somebody to score before we all fell from exhaustion."

Barry would finish his career by playing one season for the Montreal Canadiens before turning to coaching.

He somehow managed to escape major injury in his career playing in 509 consecutive games over 10 years without missing one. The closest he came to missing a contest was when his wife was having trouble in child birth.

Marty Barry scored 195 goals, 192 assists and 387 points in his career. He added another 15 goals and 18 assists in 43 playoff matches.

Barry died of a heart attack in 1969 at age 64. He was elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1965.