The Rangers scouts found a lot of hockey talent in Manitoba back in the early 1940s. He starred with the powerful junior team the Winnipeg Monarchs in 1941 and 1942, but then, like so many other youngsters at that time, military obligations would interfere with his hockey career path.
Slowinski's military service saw him move around from military base to military base. He played hockey most places he was stationed, too. That saw him play hockey in Ottawa, Montreal, Red Deer, Calgary and Winnipeg. He also played baseball in most of these stops as he was a top baseball player, too.
A big man at six feet and 200 pounds, Slowinski was an imposing figure, though his penalty minute totals suggest he was quite polite about it. He could also put the puck in the net. Slowinski played two seasons of senior hockey in Ottawa upon his discharge from the armed forces, leading the entire league with 26 goals in 40 games.
The Rangers had thought they had signed Slowinski back in 1946, but he backed out on the deal and headed to Ottawa instead. The Rangers were upset, and tried trading him to Detroit. However the deal fell apart when the veteran player they acquired - Roy Conacher - retired rather than report to the Rangers. The deal was off, though Conacher did return to the ice to play in Chicago for several more years.
Slowinski was finally signed by the Rangers in 1947 and, though injuries - namely a broken knee cap - slowed him early, by the end of the decade he was a regular contributor. He would play in 291 NHL games, all with the Rangers, scoring 58 goals and 74 assists for 132 points. He added another two goals and eight points in sixteen playoff games. He was particularly strong in the 1950 playoffs, though the Rangers would lose to Detroit in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Slowinski would play with the Rangers until 1953. He then continued playing in he minor leagues for five more seasons.
Eddie Slowinski passed away in 1991 in Tonawanda, New York.
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