1965-66
It was the golden age of hockey, the buildings were full, every team had a fully stocked teams with lots of stars throughout their lineups. NHL owners were lighting comically large cigars with $100.00 bills.
The NHL's more conservative leaders lead by Clarence Campbell were happy and satisfied with the NHL. Campbell constantly preached to keep the status quo and not dilute the game.
Other major markets had taken note though and some of the more aggressive young NHL owners were pushing hard for expansion. Most of the rumbling came from the West Coast as Las Angeles and San Francisco were pushing for NHL franchises. Eventually they had to settle for teams in the Western Hockey League. For now the NHL was firmly closed for business.
In 1962 Jim Murray of the Las Angeles Times wrote "The NHL makes a mockery of its title by restricting franchises to 6 teams waging a private tournament of 70 games to eliminate 2 teams". He probably wrote this while harumping through his handle bar moustache.
"Other big league sports are expanding, but hockey likes it there in the back of the cave. Any business man will tell you that in a dynamic economy you either grow or die. Baseball had to be dragged kicking and screaming out of its rut. Football groped its way on the end of a short rope. Hockey can't sit in the dark forever, braiding its buggy whips"
At the same time Harold Ballard of the Leafs said if the right people came up to us with $5 million and the right kind of plan, we'd be crazy not to listen".
By the mid 60's the rumblings were becoming earth quakes. Coffey Hall who owned the San Francisco Seals said "The time has come for the NHL to realize that Las Angeles and San Francisco can't wait. Our hockey fans are just as major league conscious as fans of baseball and football and feel they should be up there. An angry feeling is developing".
NHL power brokers anticipated the threat but were distracted by the money that the NHL was making and the stars in their lineup. The NHL had Bobby Hull, and Jacques Laperriere and Jean Ratelle and Rod Gilbert and Roger Crozier. They were filling their arenas every night to 95%. why risk it, why water down a winning formula?
But finally bowing to pressure, on March 11, 1965 the NHL owners held a meeting at New York's Plaza Hotel. By the end of the meeting the NHL had decided to form a second division of 6 teams and would begin to evaluate applications.
On Feb 1966 the NHL announced that the new division would be made up of teams from Las Angeles, San Francisco/Oakland, St Louis, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Minneapolis St Paul.
St Louis was a surprise since the representatives never filed a formal application. Buffalo, Baltimore and Vancouver had been rejected which pissed off Canadian fans as 6 new teams had been added, but not one new team to the country that was the cradle of the sport.
Expansion talk actually distracted from the actual hockey on the ice, the Canadians beat Detroit in 6 games to win the cup and outside of the fans in Detroit and Montreal, nobody really talked about it.
Trivia
- The NHL rules that teams must dress two goalies for every game.
- The NHL announces a 6 team expansion in 1967-68
- The Hall of Fame inducts 12 new members including Marty Barry, Clint Benedict, Syd Howe, Bill Mosienko and Red Horner.
- NHL Draft https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1965_NHL_Amateur_Draft
- The last preseason NHL all star game is played and a mid season format is adopted.
- The NHL casts a new trophy named for Lester Patrick. the trophy is awarded to the player, coach, official, executive or referee who gives outstanding service to hockey in the United States.
- Mario Lemieux is born on October 5th, 1965 in Montreal. Patrick Roy is born in Quebec city on the same day. Roy's father does a florish lift and drops his new baby.
- On November 27th Gordie Howe beats Gump Worsley for his 600th career goal.
- The Rangers dump goalies Jacques Plante and MArcel Paille in favor of Ed Giacomin, Cesare Maniago and Don Simmons.
- The Bruins debut a pair of goalies in Eddie Cheevers and Bernie Parent.
- Toronto's Carl Brewer retires at the age of 27 due to a contract dispute with Punch Imlach. He remains retired for 4 years.
- The Leafs trade Andy Bathgate to Detroit for Marcel Pronovost.
- Bobby Hull secures two NHL records with most goals at 54 and most points at 97.
- New York's Reg Fleming takes home the penalty crown with 166 minutes.
- Toronto's Johnny Bower wins his 3rd straight gaa title with a stingy 2.25 gaa.
- The Playoffs feature Montreal vs Toronto and Detroit vs Chicago.
- The Red Wings shock the Hawks in 6 games.
- The Canadians don't break a sweat as they keel haul the Leafs in 4 straight games.
- The Habs beat the Wings in 6 games taking home their 13th cup, passing Toronto's 12 cups for the all time lead.
- Detroit goalie Roger Crozier wins the Conn Smythe tophy in a losing effort, his team mate Norm Ullman wins the playoff scoring race with 15 points.
- Bobby Hull wins his second straight Hart Tophy.
- Alex Delvecchio wins the Lady Byng Trophy.
- Gum Worsely and Charlie Hodge of Montreal win the Vezina Trophy.
- Toronto's Brit Selby wins the Calder Trophy.
- Montreal's Jacques Laperrier wins the Norris Trophy.
- Jack Adams wins the first Lester Patrick Award.
- Michigan State beats the nerds of Clarkson to win the NCAA finals.
Debuts
Last games
Bill Gadsby, Detroit Red Wings