Born in Neudorf, Sasktachewan, Litzenberger was a scoring star in junior with the Regina Pats. In 1950-51, he led the league with 44 goals in 40 games and was the leading point producer in the playoffs. In 1952-53, he played a pair of games for the parent Montreal Canadiens but spent most of his first two years as a pro with the Montreal Royals of the Quebec League. In 1953, he was presented the William Northey Trophy as the league's top rookie after a 26-goal performance and was placed on the second all-star team in 1954.

The talented forward began the 1954-55 season in Montreal but the club had too many good players. In December, he was traded to the Chicago Black Hawks for cash. Litzenbeger blossomed with the increased ice time and scored 40 points in the last 40 games of the season. Chicago missed the playoffs, but their new addition was named the Calder trophy winner.

By the late 1950s Litzenberger was one of the league's most reliable scorers. He notched three straight 30-goal seasons and was named to the NHL second all-star team in 1957. He often formed a solid line with Bobby Hull and Lorne Ferguson. Between 1958 and 1961, the steady veteran served as the Hawks' team captain. In 1961, he helped the team win its first Stanley Cup since 1938.

During his last three years in the league, Litzenberger was a solid role player on the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs. Before retiring, he helped Toronto win three consecutive Stanley Cups between 1962 and 1964. Litzenberger retired in 1966 after splitting the year between the WHL's Victoria Maple Leafs and the Rochester Americans of the AHL.

Courtesy of the Hockey Hall of Fame