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CaptainCrunch · 04-12-2024, 08:48 PM

1962-63

I want to start this by saying, I don't fricken care, Gordie Howe is the greatest player in NHL history. Nobody could score like Gordie, fight like Gordie, physically terrify players like Gordie, back check like Gordie, or drink beer and party like Gordie. But what makes him truly exceptional is that he played in what would be classed as the toughest era of hockey and played until his early 50's. When I talk about the player that defines what a hockey player should be, its not Wayne, or Mario, never Connor, not Sid the Kid, its Gordie.

Gordie by the 1962-63 season had managed to out last the production line. When Ted Lindsay was traded and Sid Abel retired, Alex Delvecchio stepped in. when Delvecchio couldn't keep up anymore, Norm Ullman stepped in, but Gordie never missed a beat or lost production.

At 34 he was still the most feared player in the NHL and he was outscoring and outskating kids half his age. Lou Fontinato the undisputed toughest player in the NHL a couple of years before, found that out when he challenged Gordie to a fight and got beaten so bad that his soul left his body.

But 1962-63 was special. Gordie scored his 500th goal in March and he had his sites set on Maurice Richards all time record of 544 goals. In 1962-63 Gordie at 34 was still averaging 45 minutes a game double of every other forwards average in the nHL.

Goalies had a lot to worry about that year as Gordie won the scoring championship with 38 goals and 86 points, he took home the Hart Trophy for the 6th time.

While many players were adapting to Bobby Hull's and Andy Bathgates slap shot, Gordie invented the wrist slap shot where he would wind up for a slap shot and then snap his wrists at the last second making a tough to stop bullet.

Unfortunately Gordie couldn't carry the Wings to the Stanley Cup that year as they upset the Hawks in the semi finals but were doused by the Leafs in the Finals.

But Gordie continued to dominate the NHL. He was named to the All Star team in 1964 and make 6 trips by 1970. By the end of his career he had been named an NHL Allstar 22 times and would play until 1980 he would retire at the age of 52 after a 34 year career.

Trivia

33 new Hall of Famers are inducted including Punch Broadbent, Harry Cameron, Reg Noble, Didier Pitte, Sweeny Schriner and Niels Stewart.
On June 6, 1962 Bill Barilko's body is found in Northern Ontario.
Doug Harvey steps down as the coach of the Rangers but continues to play.
The Bruins start off with 1 win in 14 of their first games leading to the firing of Phil Watson who is replaced by Milt Schmidt.
Glenn Hall's consecutive games play streak ends at 502 games when a back injury sidelines him.
The Maple Leafs win the regular season title for the first time since 1948. They finish with a 35-23-12 record.
The Leafs acquire Don Simons from the Bruins for Ed Chadwich.
After 5 years finishing in first place in the league, the Canadians finish in 3rd.
Gordie Howe leads the league with 38 goals and 86 points.
Terry Sawchuk leads the NHL with a 2.48 gaa.
Detroit's Howie Young sets a NHL record for goonery with 273 minutes.
Lou Fontinato's career ends when he misses a check on Vic Hadfield and crashes into the boards crushing several vertebrae and suffers temporary paralysis.
Boom Boom Geoffrion is suspended for 5 games for throwing his equipment at referee Vern Buffy.
The playoffs feature Toronto vs Montreal and Detroit vs Chicago.
The Leafs walk by the Canadians in 5 games.
The RedWings come back from a 2-0 deficit to massively upset the Hawks in 6 games.
The Stanley Cup finals feature the Wings against the Leafs. The Wings having won the last 6 of 7 playoff series against the Leafs.
The Leafs take apart the Wings in 5 games with Eddie Shack scoring the series winning goal.
Gordie Howe and Norm Ullman tie for the playoff scoring lead with 16 points each.
Gordie Howe wins his 6th Hart Trophy.
The Leafs Dave Keon wins his 2nd straight Lady Byng.
Leafs Kent Douglas takes home the Calder Trophy.
Glenn Hall wins his first Vezina Trophy.
Chicago's Pierre Pilote wins his first of three straight Norris Trophies.
North Dakota wins the NCAA Hockey Championship over Denver.
The Soviet Union begins its dominance of International Hockey with its first of nine straight World Hockey Championships.

Debuts

Eddie Johnston, Boston Bruins

Paul Henderson, Detroit Red Wings
Claude Larose, Montreal Canadiens
Jacques Laperriere, Montreal Canadiens
Terry Harper, Montreal Canadiens
Jim Neilson, New York Rangers
Kent Douglas, Toronto Maple Leafs

Last Games

Bob Turner, Chicago Black Hawks
Jack Evans, Chicago Black Hawks
Vic Stasiuk, Detroit Red Wings
Lou Fontinato, Montreal Canadiens

04-12-2024, 08:48 PM	#146
CaptainCrunch Norm! Join Date: Jun 2002 Exp:	1962-63 I want to start this by saying, I don't fricken care, Gordie Howe is the greatest player in NHL history. Nobody could score like Gordie, fight like Gordie, physically terrify players like Gordie, back check like Gordie, or drink beer and party like Gordie. But what makes him truly exceptional is that he played in what would be classed as the toughest era of hockey and played until his early 50's. When I talk about the player that defines what a hockey player should be, its not Wayne, or Mario, never Connor, not Sid the Kid, its Gordie. Gordie by the 1962-63 season had managed to out last the production line. When Ted Lindsay was traded and Sid Abel retired, Alex Delvecchio stepped in. when Delvecchio couldn't keep up anymore, Norm Ullman stepped in, but Gordie never missed a beat or lost production. At 34 he was still the most feared player in the NHL and he was outscoring and outskating kids half his age. Lou Fontinato the undisputed toughest player in the NHL a couple of years before, found that out when he challenged Gordie to a fight and got beaten so bad that his soul left his body. But 1962-63 was special. Gordie scored his 500th goal in March and he had his sites set on Maurice Richards all time record of 544 goals. In 1962-63 Gordie at 34 was still averaging 45 minutes a game double of every other forwards average in the nHL. Goalies had a lot to worry about that year as Gordie won the scoring championship with 38 goals and 86 points, he took home the Hart Trophy for the 6th time. While many players were adapting to Bobby Hull's and Andy Bathgates slap shot, Gordie invented the wrist slap shot where he would wind up for a slap shot and then snap his wrists at the last second making a tough to stop bullet. Unfortunately Gordie couldn't carry the Wings to the Stanley Cup that year as they upset the Hawks in the semi finals but were doused by the Leafs in the Finals. But Gordie continued to dominate the NHL. He was named to the All Star team in 1964 and make 6 trips by 1970. By the end of his career he had been named an NHL Allstar 22 times and would play until 1980 he would retire at the age of 52 after a 34 year career. Trivia 33 new Hall of Famers are inducted including Punch Broadbent, Harry Cameron, Reg Noble, Didier Pitte, Sweeny Schriner and Niels Stewart. On June 6, 1962 Bill Barilko's body is found in Northern Ontario. Doug Harvey steps down as the coach of the Rangers but continues to play. The Bruins start off with 1 win in 14 of their first games leading to the firing of Phil Watson who is replaced by Milt Schmidt. Glenn Hall's consecutive games play streak ends at 502 games when a back injury sidelines him. The Maple Leafs win the regular season title for the first time since 1948. They finish with a 35-23-12 record. The Leafs acquire Don Simons from the Bruins for Ed Chadwich. After 5 years finishing in first place in the league, the Canadians finish in 3rd. Gordie Howe leads the league with 38 goals and 86 points. Terry Sawchuk leads the NHL with a 2.48 gaa. Detroit's Howie Young sets a NHL record for goonery with 273 minutes. Lou Fontinato's career ends when he misses a check on Vic Hadfield and crashes into the boards crushing several vertebrae and suffers temporary paralysis. Boom Boom Geoffrion is suspended for 5 games for throwing his equipment at referee Vern Buffy. The playoffs feature Toronto vs Montreal and Detroit vs Chicago. The Leafs walk by the Canadians in 5 games. The RedWings come back from a 2-0 deficit to massively upset the Hawks in 6 games. The Stanley Cup finals feature the Wings against the Leafs. The Wings having won the last 6 of 7 playoff series against the Leafs. The Leafs take apart the Wings in 5 games with Eddie Shack scoring the series winning goal. Gordie Howe and Norm Ullman tie for the playoff scoring lead with 16 points each. Gordie Howe wins his 6th Hart Trophy. The Leafs Dave Keon wins his 2nd straight Lady Byng. Leafs Kent Douglas takes home the Calder Trophy. Glenn Hall wins his first Vezina Trophy. Chicago's Pierre Pilote wins his first of three straight Norris Trophies. North Dakota wins the NCAA Hockey Championship over Denver. The Soviet Union begins its dominance of International Hockey with its first of nine straight World Hockey Championships. Debuts Eddie Johnston, Boston Bruins Paul Henderson, Detroit Red Wings Claude Larose, Montreal Canadiens Jacques Laperriere, Montreal Canadiens Terry Harper, Montreal Canadiens Jim Neilson, New York Rangers Kent Douglas, Toronto Maple Leafs Last Games Bob Turner, Chicago Black Hawks Jack Evans, Chicago Black Hawks Vic Stasiuk, Detroit Red Wings Lou Fontinato, Montreal Canadiens YouTube Video __________________ My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!