All Time Best Players - Lists by their contemporaries

[rmartin65]

On 4 March 1905, the Montreal Star published a publicly-voted All-Star team (readers of the paper sent in ballots; reportedly thousands of submissions from across the country (and the US!) were received. The team was was limited to players from the CAHL and FAHL (so no professionals), and was:

Goal: Moran, Quebec HC (CAHL)
Point: Pulford, Ottawa HC (FAHL)
Cover: Moore, Ottawa HC (FAHL)
Rover: Bowie, Montreal Victorias (CAHL)
Left Wing: Russell, Montreal Victorias (CAHL)
Center: McGee, Ottawa HC (FAHL)
Right Wing: Gilmour, Ottawa HC (FAHL)
Spare D: W. Strachan, Montreal Wanderers (FAHL)
Spare F: Westwick, Ottawa HC (FAHL)

The accompanying article wrote that Moran "was almost the unanimous choice", with Baker (Wanderers), Hunter (Cornwall), Kenney (Shamrocks), Frye (Victoria), and Brophy (Westmount) came next in the voting.

W. Strachan was apparently a close second to Pulford, and no other point really came close. Bellingham (Victorias), then B. Strachan (Wanderers- strange, as he played a lot of forward), Moore (Ottawa- strange, as he was mostly a cover), Leclerc (Quebec), Meldrum (Montreal), and Brennan (Shamrocks) coming next in the voting.

Boon (Wanderers) came second to More for cover, coming "within about two hundred votes". Pulford (Ottawa- usually a point), Patrick (ostensibly Lester- Westmount), W. Strachan (Wanderers, usually a point), and Bellingham (Victorias- usually a point), Grannery (Shamrocks), and Kent (Victorias) were other runners up.

Westwick (Ottawa) and McGee (Ottawa- usually a center) trailed Bowie at rover by around 250 votes. Blair Russell (Victorias- usually a LW), Arthur Ross (Westmount), Jack Marshall (Wanderers- usually a center), and Walter Cummings (Shamrocks) were also mentioned.

McGee took the honors at center. Roughly 300 votes later came Marshall (Wanderers), then Bowie (Victorias, usually a rover), Westwick (Ottawa- usually a rover), and Blair Russell (Victorias- usually a LW).

Blair Russell apparently dominated the voting at LW. Gilmour (probably Suddie, but it isn't specified. Ottawa, in any case) came next, then Blachford (Wanderers), Smith (usually a RW for Ottawa), Westwick (usually a rover for Ottawa), and Bowie (usually a rover for Victorias).

Billy Gilmour was named at RW, but Blair Russell (usually LW for the VIctorias), Smith (Ottawa), Grannery (Shamrocks- usually a cover), Westwick (Ottawa- usually a rover), Coulson (Montreal HC), and Ross (there are multiple players named Ross- one for Westmount (who mostly played rover) and one for the Shamrocks who did in fact play wing) came next.

W. Strachan outpaced the field by a small margin for the spare D position, with Boon (Wanderers) coming second by less than 20 votes. Moore (Ottawa), Bellingham (Victorias), Smith (uncertain- are they talking about the Ottawa Smith? Am I forgetting someone?), Dr. Cameron (Montreal HC), and J. Brennan (Shamrocks) rounded out the mentioned names.

Westwick was the spare forward, which makes sense given all the different positions he received votes for. Marshall (Wanderers) was next, then Gilmour (uncertain which one, logically Suddie, Ottawa), Smith (probably the Ottaw RW), Walter Cummings (Shamrocks), Glass (Wanderers), Art Ross (Westmount), Jordan (Quebec), B. Strachan (Wanderers), Hogan (Quebec), and Blachford (Wanderers) were also listed.

 

[jigglysquishy]

On 4 March 1905, the Montreal Star published a publicly-voted All-Star team (readers of the paper sent in ballots; reportedly thousands of submissions from across the country (and the US!) were received. The team was was limited to players from the CAHL and FAHL (so no professionals), and was:

Goal: Moran, Quebec HC (CAHL)
Point: Pulford, Ottawa HC (FAHL)
Cover: Moore, Ottawa HC (FAHL)
Rover: Bowie, Montreal Victorias (CAHL)
Left Wing: Russell, Montreal Victorias (CAHL)
Center: McGee, Ottawa HC (FAHL)
Right Wing: Gilmour, Ottawa HC (FAHL)
Spare D: W. Strachan, Montreal Wanderers (FAHL)
Spare F: Westwick, Ottawa HC (FAHL)

The accompanying article wrote that Moran "was almost the unanimous choice", with Baker (Wanderers), Hunter (Cornwall), Kenney (Shamrocks), Frye (Victoria), and Brophy (Westmount) came next in the voting.

W. Strachan was apparently a close second to Pulford, and no other point really came close. Bellingham (Victorias), then B. Strachan (Wanderers- strange, as he played a lot of forward), Moore (Ottawa- strange, as he was mostly a cover), Leclerc (Quebec), Meldrum (Montreal), and Brennan (Shamrocks) coming next in the voting.

Boon (Wanderers) came second to More for cover, coming "within about two hundred votes". Pulford (Ottawa- usually a point), Patrick (ostensibly Lester- Westmount), W. Strachan (Wanderers, usually a point), and Bellingham (Victorias- usually a point), Grannery (Shamrocks), and Kent (Victorias) were other runners up.

Westwick (Ottawa) and McGee (Ottawa- usually a center) trailed Bowie at rover by around 250 votes. Blair Russell (Victorias- usually a LW), Arthur Ross (Westmount), Jack Marshall (Wanderers- usually a center), and Walter Cummings (Shamrocks) were also mentioned.

McGee took the honors at center. Roughly 300 votes later came Marshall (Wanderers), then Bowie (Victorias, usually a rover), Westwick (Ottawa- usually a rover), and Blair Russell (Victorias- usually a LW).

Blair Russell apparently dominated the voting at LW. Gilmour (probably Suddie, but it isn't specified. Ottawa, in any case) came next, then Blachford (Wanderers), Smith (usually a RW for Ottawa), Westwick (usually a rover for Ottawa), and Bowie (usually a rover for Victorias).

Billy Gilmour was named at RW, but Blair Russell (usually LW for the VIctorias), Smith (Ottawa), Grannery (Shamrocks- usually a cover), Westwick (Ottawa- usually a rover), Coulson (Montreal HC), and Ross (there are multiple players named Ross- one for Westmount (who mostly played rover) and one for the Shamrocks who did in fact play wing) came next.

W. Strachan outpaced the field by a small margin for the spare D position, with Boon (Wanderers) coming second by less than 20 votes. Moore (Ottawa), Bellingham (Victorias), Smith (uncertain- are they talking about the Ottawa Smith? Am I forgetting someone?), Dr. Cameron (Montreal HC), and J. Brennan (Shamrocks) rounded out the mentioned names.

Westwick was the spare forward, which makes sense given all the different positions he received votes for. Marshall (Wanderers) was next, then Gilmour (uncertain which one, logically Suddie, Ottawa), Smith (probably the Ottaw RW), Walter Cummings (Shamrocks), Glass (Wanderers), Art Ross (Westmount), Jordan (Quebec), B. Strachan (Wanderers), Hogan (Quebec), and Blachford (Wanderers) were also listed.

I didn't even know this existed. Thanks!

I hope this comes up in our project, as I will certainly weigh it heavily. Hundreds of votes from contemporaries is a dream.

 

[rmartin65]

I didn't even know this existed. Thanks!

I hope this comes up in our project, as I will certainly weigh it heavily. Hundreds of votes from contemporaries is a dream.

Neither did I! My jaw literally (and I am using it correctly here, haha) dropped when I saw the call out for ballots, and have been searching for it for about an hour now.

To be clear, it is fan voting, so there is certainly some measure of salt to be taken with this list. But from what I have been reading from this year's seasons (which I should have ready to post on Saturday, Sunday at the latest), this largely checks out. I'm pretty stoked.

 

[Dr John Carlson]

Wow, what a find!

Rat Westwick really seemed to roam the entire ice, based on the dispersion of his votes...

 

[Michael Farkas]

Hopefully not a duplicate...

MacLean's Magazine (December 15, 1935) "Hockey's Miracle Men" (interview with Tommy Gorman).

..."He thinks that Charlie Conacher is the great forward ever to step on the ice; and that Frank Nighbor, the clever Ottawa centre, was top forward between 1905 and 1920. During the same period he selects Sprague Cleghorn as being away ahead of other defensemen and Georges Vezina, Clint Benedict, and Percy LeSueur running a close race for net-minding honors.

In the period from 1920 up until the present time his choices are: Alex Connell [sic] and Charlie Gardiner for goaltender; Eddie Shore on the defense, and Charlie Conacher on the forward line. He thinks the most colorful player ever to lace on a pair of skates was Fred 'Cyclone' Taylor, the old 'Listowel Thunderbolt' who made hockey history with the Vancouver Millionaires...

Further...

"Hockey players are improving every year in my opinion," Gorman said. "and I firmly believe, despite many denials, that many old-time stars wouldn't last in the present league."

 

[rmartin65]

On 4 March 1905, the Montreal Star published a publicly-voted All-Star team (readers of the paper sent in ballots; reportedly thousands of submissions from across the country (and the US!) were received. The team was was limited to players from the CAHL and FAHL (so no professionals), and was:

Goal: Moran, Quebec HC (CAHL)
Point: Pulford, Ottawa HC (FAHL)
Cover: Moore, Ottawa HC (FAHL)
Rover: Bowie, Montreal Victorias (CAHL)
Left Wing: Russell, Montreal Victorias (CAHL)
Center: McGee, Ottawa HC (FAHL)
Right Wing: Gilmour, Ottawa HC (FAHL)
Spare D: W. Strachan, Montreal Wanderers (FAHL)
Spare F: Westwick, Ottawa HC (FAHL)

The accompanying article wrote that Moran "was almost the unanimous choice", with Baker (Wanderers), Hunter (Cornwall), Kenney (Shamrocks), Frye (Victoria), and Brophy (Westmount) came next in the voting.

W. Strachan was apparently a close second to Pulford, and no other point really came close. Bellingham (Victorias), then B. Strachan (Wanderers- strange, as he played a lot of forward), Moore (Ottawa- strange, as he was mostly a cover), Leclerc (Quebec), Meldrum (Montreal), and Brennan (Shamrocks) coming next in the voting.

Boon (Wanderers) came second to More for cover, coming "within about two hundred votes". Pulford (Ottawa- usually a point), Patrick (ostensibly Lester- Westmount), W. Strachan (Wanderers, usually a point), and Bellingham (Victorias- usually a point), Grannery (Shamrocks), and Kent (Victorias) were other runners up.

Westwick (Ottawa) and McGee (Ottawa- usually a center) trailed Bowie at rover by around 250 votes. Blair Russell (Victorias- usually a LW), Arthur Ross (Westmount), Jack Marshall (Wanderers- usually a center), and Walter Cummings (Shamrocks) were also mentioned.

McGee took the honors at center. Roughly 300 votes later came Marshall (Wanderers), then Bowie (Victorias, usually a rover), Westwick (Ottawa- usually a rover), and Blair Russell (Victorias- usually a LW).

Blair Russell apparently dominated the voting at LW. Gilmour (probably Suddie, but it isn't specified. Ottawa, in any case) came next, then Blachford (Wanderers), Smith (usually a RW for Ottawa), Westwick (usually a rover for Ottawa), and Bowie (usually a rover for Victorias).

Billy Gilmour was named at RW, but Blair Russell (usually LW for the VIctorias), Smith (Ottawa), Grannery (Shamrocks- usually a cover), Westwick (Ottawa- usually a rover), Coulson (Montreal HC), and Ross (there are multiple players named Ross- one for Westmount (who mostly played rover) and one for the Shamrocks who did in fact play wing) came next.

W. Strachan outpaced the field by a small margin for the spare D position, with Boon (Wanderers) coming second by less than 20 votes. Moore (Ottawa), Bellingham (Victorias), Smith (uncertain- are they talking about the Ottawa Smith? Am I forgetting someone?), Dr. Cameron (Montreal HC), and J. Brennan (Shamrocks) rounded out the mentioned names.

Westwick was the spare forward, which makes sense given all the different positions he received votes for. Marshall (Wanderers) was next, then Gilmour (uncertain which one, logically Suddie, Ottawa), Smith (probably the Ottaw RW), Walter Cummings (Shamrocks), Glass (Wanderers), Art Ross (Westmount), Jordan (Quebec), B. Strachan (Wanderers), Hogan (Quebec), and Blachford (Wanderers) were also listed.

There must have been something in the water with 1905, because apparently a "Montreal man" published an all star list of his own in the Toronto News (I am getting this through The Gazette, 17 February 1905 page 12). It lists the same seven men as the voters selected, and provides a bit of a description for each player.

Pulford, point, and Moore, cover point. Both are strapping big men, they do not use boarding-school methods to handle the enemy as it sweeps down upon them. Pulford is a poor skater. That is his only weakness. But opposing teams fear him, as they fear no man on the ice, and Pulford's strenuous work in the defence of his goal net has earned him the endearing title of 'Butcher'.

Moore can alo accomplish a little body-checking on occasions. He, too, is no gentle lamb, and many a forward can show black and blue marks decorating his anatomy to prove it.

But they both play fine hockey, lifting the puck well, and are effective workers at all times. A formidable pair.

Some of the hockey rooters would give a month's salary to see Bowie and McGee on the same team. Bowie, in the minds of the rooters who have followed the game for years, is the trickiest hockey player than ever stepped upon the ice. Of the four forwards mentioned, Bowie is perhaps the slowest skater. But Bowie does not win games with his skates. His head and hands have brought him the reputation he holds as the most effective scorer playing the game.

McGee, with tremendous bursts of speed, swoops down upon the enemy's nets, almost seeming to skate circles around his opponents.

Bowie clatters towards the nets, on a line as the crow flies. Nursing the puck with lightning-like motions, he avoids the defence somehow, and the goalkeeper knows that he has his work cut out for him.

Both Bowie and McGee have played hockey from the day they graduated from skirts into short pants. Three years ago McGee sacrificed an eye in a hockey game, and has his doctor's word for it that if the puck ever hits his other eye he will probably be blind for life. But he plays the game out of sheer love of the sport, and takes the most dare-devil chances.

Russell, of the Victorias, and Gilmour, of the McGill University team, would take the fences on the All-Canadian team. They are a fine pair, and work like beavers. Russell is not a great scorer, but he is a gold-mine in point of value to his own defence. Let an opponent get the puck and make for goals, and Russell pounces on him like an eagle, hacking and slashing at the opponent's stick. With Russell skating on even terms with his victim, the victim is going to lose the puck. It happens nine times out of ten. And no one ever saw Russell tired. With head lowered, he is in the thick of everything, from the referee's whistle to the tap of the gong.

Gilmour has had experience on the forward line of the great Ottawa team, and Ottawa would very much like to have him back. There is no particular characteristic about his work. He is good at every point of the game that calls for ability and action.

For the thankless position of goalkeeper we have elected Mr. Moran, of Quebec, with his big shin-pads. These have stopped many a goal, but Moran is not particular whether he uses them or not. He frequently projects his face in the way of the puck, anything to stop it.

 

[rmartin65]

I apologize if this one has already been noted, I feel like it must have been but I didn't see it-

The Ottawa Free Press listed an all star team for the 1908 ECAHA season (I'm getting this through The Gazette, 26 February 1908 page 2).

Goal- Paddy Moran, Quebec
Point- Fred Taylor, Ottawa
Cover- Joe Power, Quebec
Rover- Russell Bowie, Victorias
Center- C. Power, Quebec
RW- Alf Smith, Ottawa
LW- Tom Phillips, Ottawa

Paddy Moran, of Quebec, has a mortage on the net position. He is known as an aggressive goalkeeper, somewhat of a misnomer for a man in that position. Very few forwards will venture close to Moran, and it is only at the most hand-to-hand quarters he can be scored upon. Billy Nicholson, of Shamrocks, is the nearest approach to Moran.

The defence men are subject to considerable discussion. Fred Taylor, of Ottawa, is acknowledged around the circuit to be the best cover point. But there are other cover points, and as Taylor is a natural point player, he is assigned to the first place out from the cage to make way for Joe Power, of Quebec, in front of him. Many may criticize the elimination of Arthur Ross of Wanderers. Ross has played consistent hockey, with flashed of brilliance, but he is lacking when placed beside Taylor. Taylor is a one-man player when on the offence for the reason it necessitates off-side loafing for any forward to accompany him down the ice. He has a wonderful burst of speed, can dodge anything, is a stick-handler, and a vicious, though somewhat erratic shot. As a defence man his is not so brilliant due to the fact that he is over=anxious to get the man, and, furthermore, no defence player in a stationary position can make sure of catching an attacking man with the lightning pace the forwards are now penetrating the defence. Much of a point or cover point's success as a defence player in modern day hockey depends on the assistance given him by his forwards. Jow [sic] Power is one of the most finished hockey players in the game. He has a creditable rival in Frank Patrick, of Victorias.

Harry Westwick cannot score with Russell Bowie, and the goal-getter is a very valuable man these days, where one team or the other hits it up to the teens. Bowie is fast, and a finished stick handler; works in closer probably than any other man in the game. Herbie Jordan, of Quebec, Pud Glass, of Wanderers, and Bert Morrison are also good men, but Bowie can give them weight for age the year round.

Power is the best centre player since Frank McGee was in harness.

On the right wings, Alf. Smith, Cecil Blachford and Billy Gilmour form an interesting trio from which to make a selection. Blachford, of the champions, besides being a man of long experience, has played consistently well all season, and without doubt is the best man on the Wanderer forward line. Had Smith failed to find himself, Blachford would be a universal choice for an all-star right wing. Billy Gilmour has only worked in spots, condition troubling the Victoria man. There is no dearth in his crop of hockey knowledge, however.

Tom Phillips, of Ottawa, is stationed at left wing without further ado. Blair Russell, of Victorias, is a grand player, but will always be on the bench while the Kenora man is in the game. Gardner, of Shamrocks, is a good man, and Ernie Johnson, of Wanderers, has played effective and showy hockey, but neither can be rated with Phillips, or even Russell. Phillips can skate and score, is an inveterate hand at checking back, and a clever puck-getter.

 

[rmartin65]

I love when papers cover other papers' writing- here is The Ottawa Citizen from 11 February 1908 (page 8) reporting on an all star team published by the Montreal Star that was the result of a couple fans' discussion-

First Team
Goal- Moran (Quebec)
Point- Ross (Wanderers)
Cover- Taylor (Ottawa)
Rover- Bowie (Victorias)
Wing- Phillips (Ottawa)
Wing- Gilmour (Victorias)
Center- Welsh (Ottawa)

Second Team
Goal- Nicholson (Shamrocks)
Point- Patrick (Victorias)
Cover- Pulford (Ottawa)
Rover- Glass (Wanderers)
Wing- Johnston (Wanderers) [comment- Johnson, the papers commonly misspell the name]
Wing- Blachford (Wanderers)
Center- E. Russell (Wanderers)

 

[rmartin65]

And another one- this one from The Ottawa Citizen, 1 March 1907 (page 8), citing "a well-known Montreal newspaper man".

Goal- Lesueur
Point- Pulford
Cover- Stuart
Rover- Patrick
Center- Bowie
LW- B. Russell
RW- A. Smith

 

[tinyzombies]

The Flying Frenchmen: Hockey's Greatest Dynasty with Rocket Richard's Own Story -by Maurice Richard and Stan Fischler
Published by N.Y. / New York: Prentice-Hall / A Stuart L Daniels Book - Hawthorn Books, 1971, 1st Edition, First Printing, New York, NY, 1971

 

[wetcoast]

Hopefully not a duplicate...

MacLean's Magazine (December 15, 1935) "Hockey's Miracle Men" (interview with Tommy Gorman).



Further...

I found that last part very funny for circa 1935, although there was probably some truth to that notion.

Hockey players are improving every year in my opinion," Gorman said. "and I firmly believe, despite many denials, that many old-time stars wouldn't last in the present league.

 

[tinyzombies]

I found that last part very funny for circa 1935, although there was probably some truth to that notion.

As they were maybe, but give them the same upgrades…

 

[wetcoast]

As they were maybe, but give them the same upgrades…

There was a definite difference between the late 19th century players and in the early 1910s as the game was evolving from strictly amateur to a more professional pre NHL time period with competing leagues and the OHA trying desperately to ward off professionalism.

The upgrade discussion has more merit much later in the 20th century sure but still that same thought is always present in the push and pull of nostalgia and the guys are always getting better crowd.

I think the recent situation with woman's hockey is an interesting comparison to the pre NHL days.

 

[Michael Farkas]

Not sure if this is too recent for this thread, but...

January 28, 1971 - Nashua Telegraph

In my opinion, take the best players you've seen and put them at the top - Hull, Mikita, Esposito - then put another category on top of that and put in Bobby [Orr]. Put Gordie Howe in there, too.

Though, perhaps this was too off the cuff. Or Sinden believed that all of the top 5 players of all time were playing at the same time.

 

[rmartin65]

The Brantford Courier apparently published an All-Canada team sometime in March 1903 (this is the earliest all star team I have seen so far). I don't have the exact date, as I am getting it from The Gazette, 20 March 1903 Page 2

Goal: Nicholson, Montreals
Point: Rod Flett, Winnipeg Jets
Cover: Irvine Ardagh, Wellingtons, or Dickie Boone, Montreals
Rover: Russell Bowie, Montreal Vics
Center: George Chadwick, Wellingtons
Wings: Harry Wetwick (probably Westwick), Ottawa ; Phillips (probably Tommy), Montreal
Spares: Burke Wood, Winnipeg Rowing Club ; Frank McGee, Ottawa

It's interesting. McGee had just finished his first season, but I still have a really hard time seeing Chadwick over him for center. Also, Westwick at wing is a poor look for this list, considering I have him playing only 7 games in 1903, 5 at rover and 2 at an unspecified forward position.

 

[Michael Farkas]

Sorry if this is a repeat, I searched here and didn't see it...

Here is Fern Flaman’s all-time team, composed of players he has played with and against since his NHL debut in the 1944-45 season.

Goal—Bill Durnan, Montreal, and Frank Brimsek, Bruins.

Defense—Doug Harvey, Montreal, and John Crawford, Bruins.

Center—Bill Cowley and Milt Schmidt, Bruins.

Forwards: Howe and Richard.

The fastest forward—“They’re all fast.”

The hardest shot to block—“Howe’s, because he follows through and it’s easy to be hit by his stick.”

Strongest forward—“Howe. He’s strong.”

Note this ^ is 1945 to present. EDIT: The board snapped up anything after the comma, this is from Feb. 13, 1960.

##

Maurice Richard told an audience of about 750 people at the annual awards night at St. Michael’s College that Gordie Howe is the finest player in the game today.

Richard said he would pick Howe as the finest and also place him on his all-opponents tea m.

The Rocket told the group that the toughest player he ever faced was “Wild Bill” Ezinicki and the finest goaler Frankie Brimsek. “I’d get 10 or 12 shots on Brimsek every game and there were some nights I’d only get one or two goals,” lie said.

Richard picked his all-time dream team. It had Terry Sawchuk in goal, with Jack Stewart and Red Kelly on defense and Howe at right with Lindsay at left and Milt Schmidt at centre.

How Brimsek is the finest goalie in one sentence and Sawchuk is the dream goalie in the next is difficult to square. But for those looking for a non-Habs dominated list, here ya are...

EDIT: The board snapped up anything after the comma, this is from Jun 1, 1958.

 

[overpass]

Arthur Therrien was a longtime junior coach in Montreal. He coached the Verdun Maple Leafs in the late 30s and 40s, when Maurice Richard, Butch Bouchard, and many other players passed through on their way to the NHL, after decades when Montreal had produced few NHLers.

I don't know how old he was, but apparently he was watching NHL games from the very first season. Over 55 years after that first season, in the January 13, 1974 edition of Dimanche, he was interviewed and gave his opinions on the development of hockey over the years as well as his all-time all-star team.

Arthur Therrien (Translated from French, on the development of hockey, after introducing the 1917-18 season):
The league finished that season with three teams. All the same, the game it offered us in that era was scientific, fast, and very hard.

Modern hockey has taken away the toughness of that beginning. In dividing the ice to allow for one hundred foot passes, hockey provides more colour, but the scientific game has disappeared. Especially since the first expansion.

Clubs of today, I dare mention Oakland, Los Angeles, Vancouver, and New York Islanders, are fundamentally mediocre. I would also dare say that in the National Hockey League, hundreds of players should be playing in the minor leagues, they are completely lost when they meet a team of the quality of Canadiens, Boston Bruins, the Rangers or the Chicago Black Hawks.

These young players chase after the puck, they don't carry it, they get rid of it as soon as they receive it. They don't know any better because they haven't received the training required to shine in the National Hockey League.

(Interesting that he says the scientific game was a thing of the past. I've heard other old-timers say the same, and they were generally praising the passing and stickhandling game as exemplified by the Rangers' Bread Line, and later the Soviets. As opposed to the speed-based dump, chase, shoot game that came in after the red line.)

Therrien introduced his all-time team by saying it was impossible to pick just six players, and he agreed with Lester Patrick that a different all-star team should be selected for each decade.

I find it ridiculous when novices in the sport choose a newcomer to the league as the greatest of them all; it often happens that these experts have not even seen Maurice Richard play.

Goal: He selected Bill Durnan, Jacques Plante, Charlie Gardner, Frank Brimsek, Terry Sawchuk (I don't think the order is significant).

Defense: Eddie Shore was the best. Also Doug Harvey, Jack Stewart, Earl Seibert, and Bobby Orr. Orr is a forward, his defensive game is however inferior to that of Brad Park of the Rangers and Jean-Claude Tremblay of the Canadiens.

Centre: Jean Beliveau was number one. He had no weaknesses except he didn't fight, and his style, his stickhandling, his passes, and his shot place him ahead of Howie Morenz. Also Stan Mikita, Milt Schmidt, and Gilbert Perreault, the Beliveau of the future.

Right wing: Gordie Howe, Maurice Richard, Bill Cook.

Left wing: Aurele Joliat. Joliat was a real revelation to me and the greatest stick handler of all time, and what's more, he had no equal as a defensive player. "He was our third defenseman," his Canadiens teammate Sylvio Mantha often told me. Also Harvey Jackson, Bobby Hull, Ted Lindsay.

Greatest line: Frank Boucher and the Cook brothers. These three marvellous players could hold the puck for the two minutes of a penalty. Bill Cook represented power and toughness, his brother Fred, alias Bunny, was the fast skater, and Frank Boucher was the skilled and scientific centre who was never penalized.

 

[The Panther]

Arthur Therrien ...

Clubs of today, I dare mention Oakland, Los Angeles, Vancouver, and New York Islanders, are fundamentally mediocre. I would also dare say that in the National Hockey League, hundreds of players should be playing in the minor leagues, they are completely lost when they meet a team of the quality of Canadiens, Boston Bruins, the Rangers or the Chicago Black Hawks.

Lol, he wasn't wrong!

I wonder what he thought the next season if he watched the first-year Washington Capitals...

 

[overpass]

Lynn Patrick, GM of Boston Bruins and former Ranger great, gave his all-time six in 1958. As reported by La Patrie, Feb 16, 1958:

Goal: Bill Durnan
Defense: Art Coulter, Jack Stewart
Center: Bill Cowley
Left wing: Dave Schriner
Right wing: Bernard Geoffrion

The writer said this was the first time Geoffrion had appeared on such an all-star team, and questioned why Patrick had picked Geoffrion when he had always praised Gordie Howe, and also over Maurice Richard who had a superior scoring record.

 

[Michael Farkas]

I have a theory here...what are those d-men known for, though? Anything in particular?

 

[overpass]

I have a theory here...what are those d-men known for, though? Anything in particular?

Coulter and Stewart? Probably more for their outstanding defensive play than anything. Both good skaters. Both hard hitters, Stewart was considered the hardest hitter in the league in his time.

Both were contenders for the best defenceman in the league at their best.

Both capable puck carriers, Coulter maybe more than capable, but they mostly used it to get the puck out of the zone rather than joining the attack. Puck carrying was more important for defencemen in Coulter's era because he played his whole NHL career before the red line was added, so passing the puck out of the zone was not permitted. Stewart was an all-star before and after the red line rule.

 

[Michael Farkas]

I wonder...because there's absolutely no case for Geoffrion, in my opinion...it'd be like picking, I don't know, Steven Stamkos as the best player winger of the last 25 years or something. Generally, kind of an empty-ish player with a big shot (at least, post-injury Stamkos, that is).

So I'm wondering if he sort of ultra-positionized this situation. I was thinking both of these guys could defend and that one was a killer. That seems to be the case.

So you have positional d-men, capable puck-movers, one is a killer, one supports. You have a center known for his playmaking ability (did he retire with the most assists of all time? I think he was close at least). You have a winger in Boom Boom that does exactly that, scores from mid to long range (also he played point on the power play often, so he had time to get his shot away). Then you have sort of a reliable tank on LW, a balanced attacker that could score, could hold the puck, and was renowned as one of the best stickhandlers in the league's history up to that point I believe in Schriner.

I think there might be something to him just amassing the most "extreme" (for lack of a better term) positional caricatures that he could here and he represents not only each position, but also each layer of the offensive zone (I don't think any of those three forwards backchecked).

I don't know, I'm not communicating this thought well...but it's more fun than dismissing it as outright rubbish (which, to a degree, it is haha)

 

[Michael Farkas]

1948/49

Frank Selke (HHOF 1960)

Picked his all-time best team.
He broke it down to three separate eras.


1900-1926

Goalie: Georges Vezina

Defencemen: Hod Stuart & George McNamara

Defencemen: Lester Patrick & Art Ross

Centers: Frank Nighbor & Cyclone Taylor

Right Wingers: Scotty Davidson & Dick Irvin

Left Wingers: Tommy Phillips & Newsy Lalonde


1927-1939

Goalie: Alex Connell

Defencemen: King Clancy & Eddie Shore

Defenceman: Earl Seibert & Sylvio Mantha

Centers: Howie Morenz & Nels Stewart

Right Wingers: Charlie Conacher & Bill Cook

Left Wingers: Aurel Joliat & Harvey “Busher” Jackson


1939-1949

Goalie: Bill Durnan

Defencemen: Dit Clapper & Butch Bouchard

Defencemen: Ken Reardon & Bill Quackenbush

Centers: Elmer Lach & Syl Apps

Right Wingers: Bobby Bauer & Maurice Richard

Left Wingers: Toe Blake & Ted Lindsay

##

Frank Selke did this again with different year ranges in The Hockey News - Apr 1, 1961 (apologies if it's a re-post)

Frank Selke, general manager ot tne Montreal uanaaiens was asked to pick his all-time NHL All-Star team, instead he picked his NHL All-Stars from three eras of professional hockey. Below are his choices.

1926-1936 period:
Goal, Alex Connell;
defense, Eddie Shore, King Clancy, Sylvio Mantha, Hap Day;
centre, Howie Morenz, Frank Boucher;
left wing, Aurel Joliat, Harvey Jackson;
right wing, Charlie Conaeher, Bill Cook.

1936-1946 period:
Goal, Frank Brimsek;
defence, Jack Stewart, Earl Seibert, Ebbie Goodfellow, Dit Clapper;
centre, Milt Schmidt, Syl Apps;
right wing, Gordie Drillon, Bryan Hextali;
left wing, Sweeney Schriner, Doug Bentley.

1946-1960 — Here Selke selected an All-Opponents team, excluding Montreal players under his wing during the period;
goal, Terry Sawchuk;
defense, Bill Barilko, Red Kelly, Marcel Pronovost, Bill Gadsby:
centre, Max Bentley, Sid Abel;
right wing, Gordie Howe, Andy Bathgate;
left wing, Ted Lindsay, Bobby Hull.

 

[overpass]

Wildor Larochelle, Nov 22, 1959 (French)

This team isn't so interesting on its own because Larochelle filled 4 of the 6 spots with his old Canadiens teammates (Hainsworth, Mantha, Joliat, Morenz). I think the most interesting aspect is his rating of Joliat as the greatest of all time.

Goal: George Hainsworth. “I have seen many excellent hockey players, but if I had to name the best goaltender of my time, George Hainsworth would be my choice. He had an almost incredible composure. “

Defense: Sylvio Mantha. “Here was an athlete who, defensively, had no equal. He was probably the most skilled player of his time at applying a solid shoulder blow. He was tall and slender, scientific and very skillful. In addition, Sylvio Mantha was a fairly good scorer.”

Defense: Eddie Shore

Left wing: Aurel Joliat. “Personally, I consider him as the greatest player of all time, without wishing to underestimate the merits of a Maurice Richard, a Gordie Howe, a Jean Beliveau, or the late Howie Morenz. Joliat was an extraordinary stickhandler and gifted with unparalleled finesse in keeping the puck in his possession. He was a true general in the game. And despite his 135 pounds and his 5’7”, Joliat feared no one. Defensively and offensively, he was a very big star. And I maintain that Joliat would have been a star of modern hockey, even if the rules were modified.”

Centre: Howie Morenz

Right wing: Bill Cook

Best line: Frank Boucher and Bill and Bun Cook: “A real marvel in modern hockey, so much these three players had precision in their passing games.”

 

[overpass]

Beattie Ramsay and Gizzy Hart, 1946

Beattie Ramsay
Goal: Charlie Gardiner
Defense: Eddie Shore, Eddie Gerard
Left wing: Aurel Joliat
Centre: Howie Morenz
Right wing: Bill Cook

Gizzy Hart
Goal: Tiny Thompson
Defense: Eddie Shore, Sprague Cleghorn
Left wing: Aurel Joliat
Centre: Howie Morenz
Right wing: Bill Cook