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Jack "Newsy" Leswick was the oldest of the three Leswick boys that would go on to put their
lives into professional hockey. He was said to always have had "News" to tell, which earned
him his nickname.
Born on new year's day, 1910 in Humboldt, Saskatchewan, he first
played organized hockey with the Drumheller Miners in 1929 before
heading to Duluth to play with the Hornets of the AHA later
that same year. Another photo of Jack in an unidentified team
uniform can be seen by clicking here.
After three years in Minnesota and a half season in Wichita, Jack got the call to come up
to the Chicago Blackhawks, who were now the reigning Stanley Cup champions. Jack played 37
games with the Blackhawks, managing 1 goal and 7 assists. Management was happy with his
performance and signed him to one more season before he headed home for the summer of 1934.
With time to kill and money in his pocket, Leswick headed for Canada, stopping in Calgary to visit
his sister before heading on to Winnipeg for holidays where he was joined by younger brother Pete,
who soon after left for St-Catherines, Ontario, leaving Jack with three roommates at a house they
had rented.
Late one Wednesday evening in August, Jack told his roommates he was heading out for a walk. This would
be the last time anyone would see Jack before his lifeless body was pulled from the Assiniboine River
the following Saturday. Almost immediately foul-play was suspected when it was discovered that certain
valuables he was accustomed to carry, including his gold watch from the Blackhawks, were not found
with him. The theory was further strengthened when family were unable to locate his Chevrolet Coach
automobile. Despite these facts, the police dismissed the case as suicide, stating
that he was almost penniless when he went missing and his body showed no signs of violence.
Those who knew Jack best protested that his aggressive nature and happy-go-lucky disposition made
the suicide theory impossible. His body was identified by fellow Blackhawks Lolo Couture and Leroy
Goldsworthy.
No evidence was ever found to support foul play or suicide, and to this day, his death remains a
mystery. Jack's body was returned to Saskatoon and is buried in Millbrook cemetery.
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1 NHL Season
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1 Goal, 7 Assists
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Born: January 1, 1910
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Died: August 7, 1934
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- Nickname: Newsy
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Team: Chicago Blackhawks
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