MLD 2012 Bios (pic, quotes, stats, accomplishments, everything)

[VanIslander]

Keith Acton, one of the best face-off men in the NHL, who averaged 20+ goals, 50+ points per season over his first seven NHL seasons playing on a scoring line in Montreal and Minnesota before settling in as a Bottom-6 role player for the remainder of his 1000+ NHL game career, most notably with the Oilers and Flyers. He played in the 1982 all-star game during his best season in which he led all Canadiens with 88 points on the Habs' top line. Two years later, in his best postseason, he scored 11 points in a playoffs run in Minnesota before bowing out against the mighty Oilers in the conference finals. He has the talent to center a scoring line, as he did for half his career, but he has the intangibles to be a quality Bottom-6 pivot, where he ideally provides some secondary scoring as well.

... relentless and intense... gritty... a rugged, reliable pivot,... A hard-nosed approach to the game made him a good fit alongside his original linemates, rugged Yvon Lambert and pesky Mario Tremblay, but Acton’s offensive skills soon had him matched with new wingers.

Inserted between Guy Lafleur and Steve Shutt, the newcomer added an element of toughness to the team’s top scoring duo. The dogged two-way player became one of the NHL’s top faceoff artists, picked up 15 goals in his initial NHL season and also avoided the sophomore jinx. Leading all Habs on the score sheet with 36 goals and 52 assists, the best performance of his career, Acton was selected to play in the 1982 All-Star game.

Acton continued his gritty play, doing a lot of the heavy lifting for the team’s top line. He crashed the net, backchecked, battled for puck possession and managed to light the lamp 24 times in 1982-83 before leaving Montreal shortly after the beginning of the 1983-84 schedule, headed to Minnesota in the deal that put Bobby Smith in a Canadiens sweater.

http://ourhistory.canadiens.com/player/Keith-Acton

"... feistiness, skill on the faceoff, and consistency... One of the best faceoff men in the game, it was his competitiveness during the 1981 playoffs, a loss to the up-and-coming Edmonton Oilers, that eventually got him a Stanley Cup ring with Wayne Gretzky's team a few years later.

Sure enough, midway through the '87-'88 season, Sather was able to acquire him from the North Stars, and that spring the team won its fourth Cup in five years. The Oilers traded him to Philadelphia midway through the following season, and that summer Acton was involved in one of the strangest deals in league history. The Flyers sent him to Winnipeg, and then five days later the Jets sent him back to Philadelphia. In all, he played more than 1,000 NHL games and represented Canada three times at the World Championships.

http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=10002

 

[Hedberg]

D Jack Ruttan

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

1913 Allan Cup Champion
Member of the Hockey Hall of Fame

Legends of Hockey

John "Jack" Ruttan was an amateur hockeyist through and through and never considered turning professional. His playing career began with the Armstrong's Point hockey team that won the juvenile championship of Winnipeg in the 1905-06 season. He switched to the Rustler club the following season and it in turn also won the city juvenile championship. By 1907-08, Ruttan was playing for the St. John's College team, which won the Manitoba University Hockey League championship that season.

He moved up to senior hockey in 1909 and played for the Manitoba Varsity hockey team as they won the championship of the Winnipeg Senior Hockey League in the 1909-10 season. Ruttan stayed with the Varsity team through two more seasons before moving on to play for the Winnipeg Hockey Club in 1912-13.

The "Winnipegers" won everything in sight that season, starting with the Winnipeg League championship and culminating with the Allan Cup as senior hockey champions of Canada. Ruttan recalled later that the Allan Cup win, emblematic of amateur hockey supremacy, was the greatest thrill of his hockey career.

Total Hockey (posted by seventieslord)

A legendary figure in Winnipeg hockey during a time when the city was one of the most important hockey centers in Canada.

 

[Velociraptor]

Stu Barnes, C

Position: Centre/Right Wing
HT/WT: 5'11", 175 lbs
Handedness: Right
Nickname(s): "Stuuuuuuu"

- captained the Buffalo Sabres from 2001-2003
- scored 261 goals and 336 assists for 597 points in 1136 games played, adding 438 penalty minutes.
- scored 30 goals and 32 assists for 62 points in 116 playoff games played, adding 24 penalty minutes.

Top 10 Finishes:
Power Play Goals - 1x - (3)

Dallas Morning News - Sep 15, 2003

Stu Barnes doesn't care about what line he's on or which position he plays. ... So now, Barnes has the offensive and defensive game to play anywhere.

Greatest Hockey Legends

Speedster Stu Barnes was an enthusiastic though undersized player who seemed to defy the odds and be a big time player in the NHL.

Barnes combined speed, a great work ethic and good anticipation skills to last in the NHL for 17 seasons. For me, anyways, he was the kind of guy I'd forget was even in the league still until the day his team came to town. Then he'd have a big game, make a big play or score a big goal, and you'd wonder why you hadn't heard more about him lately.

Barnes was versatile, playing either at center or on the wing. He wasn't big but he played with great heart and passion. He was the kind of player who could energize his team or his home rink with a gutsy, inspiring shift. He would forecheck hard, perhaps lay out a surprisingly loud hit, or force a turnover and create a scoring chance. By keeping his feet always kept motoring, often drawing penalties.

Barnes could be used on either specialty team unit. He had a big shot for the power play, though he was better known on the PK where his anticipation skills really came in handy.

Handy. If there is one word that could sum up Stu Barnes as a hockey player I think handy would be a very apt fit.

Stu Barnes played in 1136 regular season NHL games, scoring 261 goals, 336 assists and 597 points. In 116 playoff games he scored 30 goals and 32 assists. He never won a Stanley Cup, but was a big part of both Florida's (1996) and Buffalo's (1999) march to the Cup finals.

Legends of Hockey

When he made the transition to the big league, first with Winnipeg, the team that originaly drafted him back in 1989 and then with Florida, his duties were suddenly a checker, filling a role by stopping the other team's best players. After a trade to Pittsburgh in 1996, Barnes, with the retirement of Mario Lemieux who has since returned to the Penguins, was given a chance to return to his offensive game, playing on a line with Jaromir Jagr. The one-time defensive specialist responded with a thirty-goal season, reminding hockey fans in Alberta of the time when everybody was talking about the kid from Spruce Grove.

CBC.ca - May 4, 2008

While the loss of a 37-year-old checking line forward seems like something most teams should be able to overcome, the loss of Barnes really is messing with the Stars' chemistry. Tippett likes to make sure his checking line is effective and he has struggled to find the right fit with Mike Modano and XXXXX XXX, but has found it with the veteran Barnes.

Fort Worth Star-Telegram - May 6, 2008

Stu Barnes was in the American Airlines Center for the entire Game 6 on Sunday, he was missed while recovering from concussion-like symptoms, especially with his checking-line and penalty-kill duties.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Jan 1, 1997

It happens every time Stu Barnes touches the puck at the Civic Arena. Every time he throws his body into an opponent. Every time he breaks up an opponent's rush.

Any time Barnes is even remotely involved in a play, it seems, the home crowd serenades him with howls of "Stuuuuuuuuuuuu.''

At least that's what it sounds like.

 

[seventieslord]

Miroslav Satan, W

- 6'3", 191 lbs

NHL
- Stanley Cup (2009)
- Stanley Cup Finalist (1999)
- Placed 17th, 23rd, 25th, 32nd in points
- Best Percentage Scores: 81, 72, 71, 66, 65, 62
- Led his team in scoring seven times - by margins of 29, 25, 16, 11, 10, 1 point, tied once
- Killed 16% of penalties for teams 13% better than average, scored 24 SHP
- 2-Time All-Star Game participant (2000, 2003)

International (no juniors, no B or C pool)
- 102 GP, 45 G, 38 A, 83 Pts
- 4 World Championship Medals: Gold (2002), Silver (2000, 2012), Bronze (2003)
- World Championship All-Star Team (2000, 2002)
- World Championship Best Forward (2000)
- Placed 1st, 1st, 5th, 6th

In March 1997 he was traded to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Barrie Moore and Craig Millar. In addition to a good nose for goals, his assets always included excellent physical conditioning and brilliant skating. In the Sabres jersey, his productivity increased. In the 1998-99 season, he reached the 40-goal mark and was the team's best scorer and was a key player in the Sabres run to later that spring to the Stanley Cup final against the Dallas Stars who would eventualy win the series in six games.

Over the next four seasons Satan continued to be an offensive leader for the Sabres and was named to Slovakia's 2002 Olympic Team, however, he was never able to suit up for his country, after they failed to qualify for round robin play. Following the disappointment of the Salt Lake City, Satan and his Slovak teammates didn't have to wait long to redeem themselves, capturing the gold medal at the 2002 World Championships.

Following a gold medal performance at the 2002 World Championships, Satan continued his strong play for the Sabres over the course of the next two seasons and returned to the Worlds in 2004. In the summer of 2005, Satan was acquired by the New York Islanders. In his first season as an Islander, Satan co-led the club in points with 66 and led the team in goals with 17. Over the next two seasons, Satan failed to match his stat totals from 2005-06 but managed to help the club sneak into the playoffs in 2006-07.

Following his lowest point producing season of his career, the Islanders opted not to resign the Slovakian. In the summer of 2008, the Pittsburgh Penguins signed the forward to a 1-year, $3.5 million contact, a move that would prove fortuitous for both Satan and the Penguins as the team would go on to win the Stanley Cup that June.

Throughout his career, Satan has been a foot soldier for the Slovaks' on the international stage, including; World Junior Championship (1994), Olympics (1994, 2002, 2006, 2010), World Cup (1996, 2004) and World Championship (1996, 2000, 2002-2005)

A skilled and well-trained player... got off to a great start but cooled off eventually. he is a good skater with top-level puck skills. He's a high pressure player... Injuries interfered with his development in 1995-96... first, he had a collapsed lung, then he suffered a separated shoulder...

Satan's speed allowed him to leapfrog over several other prospects in training camp and he fit in nicely with a fairly fast Edmonton team last season. Satan has breakaway speed, not in Mike Gartner's class, but good enough to allow him to pull away from many defenders. Satan isn't shy about shooting. He keeps his head up and looks for his shooting holes, and is accurate with a wrist and snap shot. Satan is also unselfish and sees his passing options... he has good hockey sense.

Satan is average in size but has gradually added about 10 pounds of muscle over the past two seasons. He is a fairly solid checker and plays a conscientious backchecking game... he was one of few pleasant surprises last season, and while he played occasionally with Doug Weight, he isn't a top-line winger and may have trouble finding a slot next season. If he gets ample icetime, Satan is a two-way forward who may provide 20 goals.

slick winger... improving speed with a quick, deceptive release, his growth rate at each level of hockey has been phenomenal.

This fast forward is one fancy player... problems with his lungs kept him off the ice at the beginning of the season, and he wasn't very effective when he came back. After 30 games, the Oilers had the option of sending him back to Slovakia. Sather would have none of it, deeming that the rookie had potential.

uses his skills in a strictly offensive sense...developed as a conscientious two-way winger but in recent years has become more of a high-risk player. He sees his passing options and will sometimes make the play, but Satan is the sniper on whatever line he is playing and prefers to take the shot himself. Satan's biggest drawback is his lack of intensity, and with it, a lack of consistency. When he isn't scoring, he isn't doing much else to help his team win. He was really big when it counted down the stretch, though, when all his teammates were slumping.

Satan has added muscle but has to get the idea that it's OK to bump people. He's not huge but he's solid. Satan is in a great spot in Buffalo because he doesn't have to beat out much to earn playing time as the #1 LW... he had a disappointing playoff but was hampered by an inflamed appendix. Goals, goals, goals. Forget playmaking. Satan wants to score.

Could provide some goals for a team that desperately needs a finisher... Great moves and good hands. Another one-dimensional player who is not good defensively. Good size but plays small.

one fault is his tendency to hold onto the puck too long... not huge, and he's on the thin side, but he has wiry strength... he's a sure bet for 25 goals and with more consistency (and a #1 centre, which Buffalo does not have) he could add another 10.

Satan isn't huge, and being the prime checking objective on a team that isn't exactly loaded with offensive options takes its toll at crunch time... he has a wiry strength, and shouldn't be as intimidated as he appears to be... there are a lot of questions about Satan's desire, though he did come back from a broken foot to help the Sabres reach the finals. There can be few doubts about his raw ability... 40 goals will be hard to duplicate without a true #1 center.

Satan excels at floating around the periphery and then pouncing on a loose puck. He has good wheels and an incredible shot. He needs to improve defensively.

blessed with gifted hands and lethal finishing skills, he has steadily improved his once-suspect skating, while continuing to expand his offensive arsenal.

a natural goal scorer with excellent instincts and a great pair of hands, Satan is used extensively on special teams and would probably hit 60 goals if he could skate like Pavel Bure.

has great moves one-on-one and often scores highlight reel goals. Great release, nifty moves.

still a bit moody and streaky to be thought of as a top-line scorer, and teams always expect more than they get... Buffalo lost two of its top three scorers to free agency, plus Doug Gilmour, which means opportunity for Satan to assume a leadership role on the ice.

Satan has the skills to be a far more productive winger than his most recent numbers indicate. The Sabres' defensive system has played a role in limiting his offense. However, he is still searching for a more consistent level of play - and not having a steady #1 center to work with hasn't helped. Nevertheless, the slim 6'3" forward has electric moves and a nose for the net.

will still have nights where he lapses and plays a riskier game, but he is now a fairly conscientious two-way player... with Buffalo's financial concerns, the burden is about to get heavier on Satan before it gets lighter. At $3.25M, Satan would be a bargain anywhere else... he was on the verge of another 40-goal season and if his teammates hadn't been decimated by injuries in the last quarter, he might have done it again.

Satan has taken center stage as the primary bonafide star on a team of pluggers and grinders... Only Mike Modano of Dallas led his team in points by a higher margin... Satan's combination of size, creativity and offensive flair make him a dangerous NHL sniper.

Management couldn't blame him for missing the playoffs has he was the NHL's hottest scorer over the final quarter with an eye-popping 17-10-27 in 20 games... among the best pure scorers in the league, Satan is blessed with exceptional instincts, however, it has been his improvements in work ethic and skating that have allowed him to fully exploit his puck talents... his consistency over the past 4 seasons makes him an attractive pick.

the majority of his assists will come as a result of his scoring attempts... Satan has been a moody sort in the past but he was committed and consistent most of last season...the subject of a lot of trade deadline interest...hopefully he can be re-signed and be the centerpiece of Buffalo's return to respectability... that he carved out the kind of numbers he did last season and with little aid shows how talented a player Satan is.

the Sabres best player was the Lone Ranger many nights last season. What Satan accomplished in a turbulent 2002-03 campaign was remarkable under the circumstances... he doubled the point production of every Buffalo teammate except Daniel Briere, who recorded most of his points with Phoenix. Satan also displayed a wealth of durability as he played at least 79 games for the 6th straight season.

Seemingly unfazed by the surrounding turmoil, led the team in scoring... blessed with soft, quick hands and an insightful mind, and continues to evolve into a complete player thanks to steady improvements in skating and defensive work.

blessed with great hands and a deceptive change of pace; however, he took considerable heat for his wavering defensive zone intensity and team worst +/-.

one of the most accurate shots in hockey

The super-durable Slovak sniper is coming off his worst statistical season since 1996-97, scoring just 16 times... if he wants to produe like a second-tier star once again, he will have to combat confidence issues... Notoriously dangerous on breakaways, he has also become a major threat on shootouts... unfortunately, his defensive game has gone south over time... too much talent to not bounce back.

"Our trouble scoring goals," says Boston general manager Peter Chiarelli, a tight smile on his lips, "has been well documented."

After 82 games of near-historic futility—the Bruins had not scored fewer than their 196 goals in a non-strike-shortened regular season since the 70-game campaign of 1966--67, Bobby Orr's rookie year—there has been some black-and-gold magic in the attack.

Or black magic—if you believe in the devil's bargain. Goethe's Faust sold his soul for knowledge and power. In a less metaphysical deal last January, Boston paid roughly $350,000 for an unemployed free-agent Slovakian rightwinger (with 363 goals in 1,050 career games) who has had five playoff goals, including winners in three of the seven Bruins victories. He plays on the top line. He operates on the second power play. He celebrates some goals like it is Walpurgis Night.

Yes, Satan.

Not bad for a forward who was in purgatory last fall. Satan's only season in Pittsburgh had, in equal measure, ended well and badly. There was that thing about winning the Stanley Cup, but he was a footnote to the championship. After flunking an audition as Sidney Crosby's right wing, he scored just once in 17 playoff games, averaged fewer than 10 minutes of ice time and didn't register a point in the finals. Coach Dan Bylsma scratched him for Game 6 against Detroit.

Like other slick forwards who fret insufficiently over defensive responsibilities, Satan needs at least 15 to 18 minutes a game with quality linemates to have a consistent impact. Sticking him on a depth line is useless. The Penguins, who demoted him to the minors for 16 games in a salary-cap move before recalling him for the playoffs, didn't re-sign him. And nobody else had an urgent need for a one-way winger who had not had a 30-goal season since 2005--06.

Satan wanted to play in his fourth Olympics, so he could hardly afford to allow his game to rot. He rented ice at the Islanders' practice facility near his home, often skating by himself. He was on the verge of committing to a team in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League in December, but then the Metal Detector Gang in Boston called.

The Bruins were desperate for someone who didn't need a GPS to find the back of the net, but Chiarelli was wary about how Satan would fit into the defense-first mold of coach Claude Julien's team, which ranked second in goals against this season (2.33). So Bruins management studied tape of Satan in the 2009 playoffs. All 215 shifts. "He showed a good compete level," Chiarelli insists. "That's what we based his signing on." Although the money was light, it came with a no-movement clause, a dealmaker given Satan's experience with the Pens. "I know after Pittsburgh that a lot of people were saying I was done," Satan says. "I know that was a wrong judgment."

Satan played with brio in Vancouver despite suffering a gash to the palm of his right hand just before the Olympic break, an injury that kept him out of Slovakia's first two matches. Not everyone in Bruins management was thrilled that Satan jetted west with his bandaged hand, but Chiarelli says the Olympic tempo was remedial, allowing Satan's legs to catch up with his brain. He scored a game-winner against Norway and was a significant contributor on an aging Slovak team that beat Russia in the round robin, upset Sweden in the quarterfinals and played for a medal.

If a nice Olympic run and nine regular-season goals for Boston were not necessarily harbingers of a memorable spring, the three he scored in the final five games were telling. "He's a pretty unemotional guy," says Islanders goalie Martin Biron, a former teammate in Buffalo, "but the way to figure out what's going on with Miro are the celebrations."

Satan's goal celebrations are often memorable. After scoring the series winner against the Sabres in Game 6, he did a little dance-and-run number that was as '70s as disco. But in the long list of Satan-ic goal celebrations, that one cedes pride of place to the time he crawled on the ice after a double-overtime playoff winner for Buffalo against Ottawa in 1999. He once threw his glove on the ice after ending a lengthy goal drought and beat it with a stick to knock out the remaining cement. Says Lucic, "It's like almost every goal he scores is the biggest goal ever."

Satan is arguably the best modern international performer selected in the MLD.

He has the most games, goals, assists, points, best PPG, most "scoring titles", most top-2s, top-3s, or top anythings, and is one of only four to be named best forward and three to be named to the AST:

WC Finishes 1995-2012

Name|Best Finishes|WC Stats (During this period)|First/Last Event
Miroslav Satan|1, 1, T5, T6, T16|73 GP, 35 G, 34 A, 69 PTS|1996-2012
Michael Nylander| T3, T5, T8, T17, T20|60 GP, 16 G, 39 A, 53 PTS|1996-2010
Radek Dvorak| T7, T9, T10|35 GP, 9 G, 16 A, 25 PTS |1999-2005
Mikko Koivu|T8, T10, T14|46 GP, 13 G, 23 A, 36 PTS|2006-2012
Dustin Brown|T14, T17, T18|32 GP, 14 G, 14 A, 28 PTS|2004-2009
Sami Kapanen|4, T14|48 GP, 18 G, 15 A, 33 PTS|1995-2010
Danny Briere|T5, T10|18 GP, 6 G, 11 A, 17 PTS|2003-2004
P.J. Axelsson|T5, T17|43 GP, 14 G, 18 A, 32 PTS|2000-2005
Mikael Renberg|T8, T15|28 GP, 12 G, 8 A, 20 PTS|1998-2003
Ulf Dahlen|T8, T18|19 GP, 8 G, 5 A, 13 PTS|1998-2002
Niklas Sundstrom|T16, T18|18 GP, 6 G, 7 A, 13 PTS|1998-1999
Robert Lang|T1|16 GP, 6 G, 5 A, 13 PTS| 1996-1997
Alexei Morozov|T2|52 GP, 19 G, 21 A, 40 PTS|1997-2011
Patrice Bergeron|T2|18 GP, 7G, 8 A, 15 PTS|2004-2006
Loui Eriksson|4|26 GP, 11 G, 13 A, 24 PTS| 2009-2012
Anze Kopitar|T5|17 GP, 7 G, 7 A, 14 PTS|2005-2008
Cory Stillman|T9|10 GP, 4 G, 4 A, 8 PTS|1999-1999
Thomas Vanek|T10|12 GP, 3 G, 8 A, 11 PTS|2004-2009
Johan Franzen|T12|20 GP, 5 G, 8 A, 13 PTS|2005-2012
Rob Niedermayer|T17|19 GP, 4 G, 5 A, 9 PTS|1999-2004
Zach Parise|T20|11 GP, 5 G, 5 A, 10 PTS|2005-2008

Best Forward Winners
Alexei Morozov ('07)
Sami Kapanen ('01)
Miroslav Satan ('00)
Michael Nylander ('97)

All-Star Team Recipients
Alexei Morozov ('07)
Miroslav Satan ('00 '02) (editor's note, I see 2000 in my sources as well)
Michael Nylander ('97)

 

[Canadiens1958]

Claude Ruel

Claude Ruel turned to coaching after losing an eye in a game playing for the Junior Canadiens during the 1957-58 season.

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=18990

By the 1961-62 season he was coaching the Montreal Junior Canadiens and after the 1962-63 season he became one of the first NHL assistant coaches, helping the legendary Toe Blake run practices, concentrating on the defensemen and incoming players. Some of the HHOF dmen that Ruel developed were Jacques Laperriere, Serge Savard, Guy Lapointe, Larry Robinson, Rod Langway, and future HHOFer Chris Chelios plus a string of solid NHLers starting with J.C. Tremblay.

This ability to develop young defensemen and integrate new players into a team were two of the key elements leading to his selection as coach. The Orfuns defensemen are ideal for a Claude Ruel team. Two young defensemen - Karlsson and Letang requiring that extra polish to take them to the next level. Three experienced defensemen with well above average defensive and offensive skills - Sylvain Cote, Don Sweeney, Bob Murray plus two solid stay at home defensemen - Rick Green and Brad Marsh with a history of playing with young defensemen.Then there is the swingman F/D in Charles Tobin similar to the swing skaters historically used by the Canadiens during Ruel's tenure.

After the 1967-68 season, Claude Ruel replaced the retiring Toe Blake, leading the SC Champion Canadiens to a repeat SC victory.

http://www.hockey-reference.com/coaches/ruelcl99c.html

His NHL record features a .648 regular season W% and a .667 playoff W%.

As a head coach he continued the Canadiens emphasis on defense combined with the traditional aggressive forecheck spearheaded by a blend of LHS/RHS centers. The Orfuns have four centers - RHS - Pederson and Lang, LHS Staal and Ridley all supported with appropriate wingers. Ruel coached in an offensive system that featured balanced offense from all lines and contributions from the defensemen. The Orfuns feature both.

The ideal available coach for the team.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claude_Ruel

 

[Canadiens1958]

Erik Karlsson

Erik Karlsson, the latest NHL Norris Trophy winner, is at the forefront of the new trend in NHL defensemen, a RHS,superb skater, excellent offensive and transition game with high TOI totals

Honours
2011-12 Norris Trophy, 1st AST,participated in the 2011 and 2012 ASG, 3rd in assists 2011-12 season

Position D/RHS
Height 6'0"
Weight 180lbs

Regular Season/Playoffs
GP 216/13
G 37/2
A 112/5
PTS 149/7
TOI 23:15/25:36
PIM 116/8

Paired with a veteran partner and with physical maturity Karlsson has all it takes to reach the elite level in the NHL.

 

[Canadiens1958]

Shayne Corson

Shayne Corson, a solid two way player who brought sandpaper to the rink every game, in his prime had high TOI times with impressive offensive and defensive contributions:

http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/c/corsosh01.html

Career Hilites

seven times finished amongst the top 5 scorers on his team, usually the top scoring LW,slightly better playoff PPG numbers than during the regular season. named to three ASGs

Position L/LHS
Height 6'1"
Weight 202 lbs

Regular Season/Playoffs
GP 1156/140
G 273/38
A 420/49
PTS 149/7
TOI 17:25/18:52 career partial
PIM 2357/291

 

[Canadiens1958]

Barry Pederson

Barry Pederson was the Bruins 1980, first round draft choice destined for stardom until a benign shoulder tumor requiring two surgeries sidelined his career.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Pederson

Position C/RHS
Height 5'11"
Weight 185lbs

Career Hilites
Set Bruins record for goals by a rookie, 2nd in Calder voting and team scoring 1981-82.Led Bruins in scoring 1982-83 and 1983-84 with 100+ points while fimishing 11th and 10th in Selke vote, 4th and 3rd in AST voting for centers.Named to two SGs.Minor Hart consideration.

Regular Season/Playoffs
GP 701/34
G 238/22
A 416/30
PTS 654/52
TOI NA
PIM 477/25

Career PPG in the playoffs vastly superior to his regular season, 1.51 vs .93

Interesting fact. Scotty Bowman could not figure out how to stop Barry Pederson in the 1982 and 1983 playoffs, after figuring out how to stop Guy Lafleur in 1983

 

[TheDevilMadeMe]

The captain and best player of the best national team in the world in the 1940s:

Vladimir Zabrodsky, C

One of the greatest czechoslovak ice-hockey players of the 1940's and 1950's. Captain of golden Czechoslovak teams from World championship in 1947 and 1949. Known for his ability of leading the puck single-handedly. With the famous Czechoslovak club LTC Praha (Lawn Tennis Cercle Praha) he was teaching Russians how to play ice-hockey (1948). Along with Vaclav Rozinak and Stanislav Konopasek formed the elite formation of LTC Praha and Czechoslovak national team.

Soon before the departure to London for the World championship in 1950, Zabrodsky and his 12 teammates from national hockey team were arrested by communists. In mendacious political trial they were accused of treason against communism (they thought they want to emigrate), physically tortured and then sentenced from 8 months to 15 years of inprisonment. For example the goalie Bohumil Modry was sentenced to 15 years of labour in uranium mine (meant death penalty, he died on after-effects several years later). Others were Augustin Bubnik (14 years), Stanislav Konopasek (12 years), Vaclav Rozinak (10 years), Vladimir Kobranov (10 years), etc. Vladimir Zabrodsky was the only one from team, who was not sentenced. Instead of it he was only banned from national hockey team. This led to suspicion, that it was him, who informed against his teammates, that they want to emigrate from communistic terror in Czechoslovakia. In 1965 he managed to emigrate to Sweden, where he coached Swedish teams Leksand, Rögle and Djurgården. He is still living in Sweden. (Jan Jech)

The Best Czech Hockey player of the Century
voted by 50 experts, played-out pros, coaches and refs in 1998

rank name points
1. DOMINIK HAÅ EK 472
2. JAROMÃR JÃGR 357
3. VLADIMÃR ZÃBRODSKÃ 240
4. VLADIMÃR MARTINEC 235
5. IVAN HLINKA 181
6. VLASTIMIL BUBNÃK 160
7. JAN SUCHÃ 154
8. JIŘÃ HOLÃK 136
9. JOSEF MALEČEK 121
10. VÃCLAV NEDOMANSKÃ 98
11. Jiří Holeček 97
12. Bohumil Modrý 93

http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=14132215&postcount=208
http://sport.idnes.cz/dominik-hasek...ob-f24-/sporty.aspx?c=981211_102012_sport_noc

STATS

• 158 goals in 93 games for the National team.
• 18 seasons in Czechoslovakian league (230 games) and scored 306 goals.

International Tournaments

1947 World Championships: 1st with 29 goals in 7 games. 2nd had 15 goals. Czechoslovakia won Gold.

1948 Olympics: 1st (Tied) with 21 goals in 8 games. His nearest teammate finished 10th with 11 goals. Czechslovakia won Silver, losing gold to Canada on a tiebreak for Goal differential.

1949 World Championships: 4th with 10 goals in 7 games. His teammate Stanislav Konopasek had 12 goals. 1 other Czech had 6 goals, no other Czechs had more than 3 goals. 10 of the top 12 scorers were either from Canada or the United States. Czechslovkai won Gold.

BANNED FROM 1950-1953 BY THE STALINIST GOVERNMENT

1954 World Championships: 4 goals in 10 games, not top 10

1955 World Championships: 3rd with 13 goals. Tumba was 5th with 9 goals. Czechoslovakia won bronze, their first medal since 1949.

1956 Olympics: 2 goals in 7 games, not top 10.

Zabrodsky was 33 years old in 1956; it would be his last top level international tournament.

Czech Elite League

1940-1943: no records available
1944: 1st
1945: DNP (World War 2)
1946: no records available
1947: 1st
1948: 2nd
1949: 1st
1950: 3rd
1951: no records available
1952: no records available
1953: 2nd
1954: 1st
1955: no records available
1956: 2nd
1957: 1st
1958: 2nd
1959: 1st
1960: 6th

From 1944-1959, Zabrodsky finished top 3 in goals in the Czech elite league in all 11 seasons for which we have records, including 6 first place finishes.

ln the late 40s, Czechoslovakia became the the first nation to challenge Canadian supremacy at the World Championships

• In the 13 World Chanpionships held between 1920 and 1938, Canada won 11 times, Britain once and the USA once
• When the World Championships resumed in 1947, Czechslovakia emerged as the major European power - Gold Medal in 1947 without Canada, Silver Medal in the 1948 Olympics - Goldblost to Canada on a tiebreak based on goal differential, Gold Medal in 1949 over Canada.

Czechoslovakia was the best national team in the world in the years following World War II. The team won the 1947 and 1949 World Championships and lost the 1948 Olympic gold to Canada only on goal differential.

Zabrodsky was Czechoslovakia's captain and superstar during this time

Vladimir Zábrodský was a Czechoslovakian giant who almost single-handedly put hockey on the map in what is now the Czech and Slovakian Republic.
...
His individual play single-handedly won his team many games. He led the national team to the 1947 and 1949 World Championships. He also participated in the 1948,54,55 and 56 World Championships as well as two Olympic tournaments (1948 and 56). In the 1948 Olympic games in St. Moritz Switzerland, he led the tournament in scoring and his team to a 6-0-1 record, good enough for the silver medal.

Zábrodský was the Czech national team. He represented the Czechs 93 times and scored an incredible 158 goals, including 29 goals in 7 World Championship games in 1947 and 21 in 8 Olympic games in 1948 !
…
In Czech league play this crafty center scored 306 goals in 237 games spanning 16 seasons. He led the league in scoring 5 times - 1947 (17 goals), 1949 (19), 1954 (30), 1957 (33) and in 1959 (23). He also won the league championship 6 times - 1946-49 (LTC Praha) and 1953 and 19 54 (Spartak CKD Sokolovo).
…
12 of Zábrodský's teammates were jailed for espionage and treason in 1950. Their sentences ranged from 8 months to 15 years. Zábrodský somehow wasn't jailed and many people to this day think that he was a "rat", who snitched on his teammates in order to escape any punishment for himself.

Here are events that help explain why the USSR and not Czechoslovakia started to emerge as Canada’s principal rival in the 1950s

1. Zabrodsky’s club team traveled to the USSR in 1948 to help the Soviets develop their hockey.

Zábrodský will also go down to history as one of the players who were on the first ever hockey team that visited Russia in 1948. His LTC Praha team played three games against the Russians and helped them develop their hockey.

2. On the way back from the USSR, a plane crash killed several members of the national team

November 18, 1948 team Czechoslovakia had a grievous stroke, in a plane crash killed the goalie Z. Yarkovsky, full-back Pokornyi M., V. Shtevik and Z. Schwarz, forwards K. Stibor and L. Throyak. Y.Drobnui left Czechoslovakia and emigrated to the UK (along with him O. Zabrodsky). Nevertheless, Czechoslovakian team once again became the world champion of 1949 in Stockholm, the team won Canada (3:2).

http://www.nphu.com/2009/07/07/history-of-hockey/

But as indicated above, the team still had enough left to finally best Canada in the 1949 World Championships.

3. The entire Czechoslovak National Team was arrested by the Stalinist Government prior to the 1950 World Championships. It would take Czechoslovakian hockey a generation to recover

From this moment story of Czechoslovakian team was suspended. Before the World Cup of 1950, almost all national team players were charged with treason, attempted to emigrate and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment or disqualified.

http://www.nphu.com/2009/07/07/history-of-hockey/

Czechoslovakia was the best national team in the world in the years following World War II. The team won the 1947 and 1949 World Championships and lost the 1948 Olympic gold to Canada only on goal differential.

But it was their own people, driven by conspiracy theories in Stalinist Czechoslovakia, who prevented this great team from defending its title at the 1950 World Championship in London, England. Just before the national squad was about to board the plane for Great Britain on March 11, 1950, the players were handcuffed by the national state security police (KNB, Czechoslovakian forerunner to the KGB) and taken to jail.

Seven months later, on October 7, the players appeared in court accused of attempting to defect and they were charged with treason.

Czechoslovakian team jailed for treason – entire generation lost

 

[seventieslord]

Scott Gomez, C

- 5'11", 198 lbs
- Stanley Cup (2000, 2003)
- Stanley Cup Finalist (2001)
- NHL Assist Leader (2004)
- Six 10+ point playoffs, placing 11th, 14th, 17th, 17th 18th in the best 5
- Has placed 20th, 23rd, 26th in points
- Best percentage scores: 80, 74, 68, 66, 66, 54
- 2-time NHL ASG Participant (2000, 2008)
- 9 points in 11 games in two best-on-best international tournaments (2004, 2006)
- ECHL leading scorer and MVP (2005)

Reading all these varying scouting reports, you can really follow the progression of Gomez' career... a young sensation, then expectations had to be adjusted, then epic fails as his career nears the end. One publication says he's not a good skater, most say he is. He has intensity, but doesn't always bring it. He can play defensively and was a key player for New Jersey, but he is inconsistent in that regard too.

Since making his NHL debut in 1999-00 centre Scott Gomez has added a creative element to the New Jersey Devils' offense. His quick hands and combative will made him one of the toughest Devils with which opposing defences had to battle.

...A two-time member of the U.S. World Junior team in 1998 and 1999, the shifty forward scored 70 points for the Devils in 1999-00, played in the NHL All-Star game and was a key contributor when the team defeated the Dallas Stars to win the Stanley Cup. Following the season he was presented the Calder Trophy and voted to the NHL All-Rookie Team and has been one of the team's best two-way players ever since.

...With two Stanley Cups already to his credit, Gomez entered the 2003-04 season looking to take his game yet to another level. With the departure of Joe Nieuwendyk to free agency and the absence of team captain Scott Stevens, Gomez took on a leadership role and cemented himself as one of the go-to-players on the Devils and one of the premier playmakers in the NHL, finishing tied with Tampa Bay's Martin St. Louis with a league leading 56 assists.

Possesses terrific vision and passing skills. Also features outstanding speed, puck-handling ability and agitating qualities.

Gomez does more than put a smile button on the New Jersey logo. He adds numbers, enough of them to be the leading scorer on the most prolific team in the East and the odds-on favorite for the rookie of the year award. "I wouldn't say he's made us better single-handedly, because we also picked up Claude Lemieux [in November], but Scott's given us a third offensive line," says right wing Randy McKay. "He gives us that, though you wouldn't think so by looking at him skate or shoot."

Indeed, Gomez is a knock-kneed and pigeon-toed skater who scuttles around the ice hunched like a question mark. His shot is so unprepossessing that teammates predicted he would score a hat trick against Buffalo Sabres goalie Dominik Hasek last week because Hasek would get bored waiting for the puck to reach the net. Gomez settled for one goal. His hands, however, are lullaby soft, and his passing is as accurate as it is sometimes needlessly bold. Ftorek, who has played Gomez on the wing instead of his natural center position for most of the season, says Gomez invariably picks the correct option in choosing where to pass but sometimes executes the wrong pass, trying to feather the puck through a crowd instead of caroming it off the boards to the same player. "No doubt Scott's a great passer and has great vision," Ftorek says. "That's not something you're born with. That came from good coaching or good advice from a coach or a father or a linemate, someone who could show him the fine points of the game."

Gomez’ ability to use the space behind the net to shield himself from defenders and set up plays is almost Wayne Gretzky-like. He has terrific vision and patience with the puck, and can thread a pass through what seems like the eye of a needle to find a teammate. Anyone playing with Gomez HAS to be alert, because he is adept at finding seams that others don’t even know exist.

He has a very good wrist shot, not a heavy one, but accurate. You might think with his G:A ratio he doesn’t shoot enough, but he isn’t shy about letting it go. He’s just not as gifted a goal scorer as he is a passer. However, he makes excellent use of the extra room on a power play, and served on the Devils’ second unit last season. The Devils often used him as a winger, but he isn’t as good along the boards as he is in the middle of the ice.

Gomez is not a gifted skater; he needs to be constantly reminded to keep his feet moving and not to glide. He is strong on his skates, though, tough to knock off his feet and willing to do the work in the dirty areas for pucks. He lacks outside speed but can put on a short burst to get a jump ion the defense. He needs to work on his defense and his faceoffs.

As easygoing as Gomez is off-ice, he is just as competitive on it. It’s no surprise that one of the players he used as a mentor on the Devils was Claude Lemieux. Like Lemieux, Gomez can be chippy and chirpy. He is irritating to play against. He won’t back down from a scuffle and he isn’t shy about starting one. He’s solid and durable. More than a charming Cinderella story, Gomez is a player… he still has some rough edges, but his raw talent and desire to succeed are evident.

Didn’t make waves in his first NHL season – he made tsunamis. Electrified Devils fans and gave them another playmaker, which allowed Lou Lamoreillo to unload Brendan Morrison. The challenge now is to overcome the defensive schemes opposing coaches will be throwing at him. With his speed and vision, it will take a brick wall to stop Gomez.

His +/- was awful for a good defensive team, and he needs to work more diligently in his own zone. Faceoffs are also an area of concern… still a work in progress. He advanced much more quickly than planned, and his game is lacking in certain areas.

Gomez didn’t receive a lot of attention last season, which could have been perceived as a sign he was suffering from the sophomore jinx. In fact, nothing could have been further from the truth. Paired with Alexander Mogilny, Gomez finished 2nd on the team in assists and was only slightly off his rookie pace.

A dynamic skater with great on-ice vision, Gomez relishes his role as primary setup man. He won’t have Mogilny by his side this season but Gomez is the type of playmaker who can boost any sniper’s point totals.

Over the last three seasons Scott Gomez of the Devils scored 38.2% more points on the road than he did in home games, the largest such differential in the NHL.

The Devils frequently used him as a winger instead of a centre last season because of his defensive shortcomings. This is a mistake. Gomez needs to be in the middle of the ice… has not brought his intensity to the ice on a nightly basis. At his best, Gomez is like a young Claude Lemieux, chippy, chirpy, tough arounf the net and picking up clutch points. When he is in that zone, he is irritating to play against… with Lemieux and Mogilny gone, Gomez never found chemistry with any linemates last season. He needs to take a big step in maturity this season and take his place among team leaders.

Floudered in the wake of Alex Mogilny’s departure, but picked it up in the second quarter and really prospered after moving to Bobby Holik’s RW in February before suffering a broken hand in April and leaving a gaping hole in the Devils’ attack.

A highly inventive playmaker and deceptive skater, Gomez sees the ice better than many and consistently creates scoring chances when he’s playing a gritty, ferocious game, although his focus tends to wanter at times. Big rebound potential alongside an elite finisher.

Long before breaking his hand late last season, Gomez went through the trials and tribulations he had yet to experience in his first two campaigns. He started slowly and didn’t find any consistency on offense until the 2nd half. In fairness, some problems weren’t his fault. After losing regular linemate Alexander Mogilny, he tried to change his game to compensate for the lack of a sniper on his line.

Gomez is a top-notch playmaker, but the Devils must line him up next to a goal scorer in order to maximize his strengths.

More than 50 shots over the previous season, indicating that he has been intensifying that part of his game… makes excellent use of the extra room on the PP… Pat Burns was exceptionally hard on him, and there could be some friction there that could lead to a personnel decision this season if things come to a head.

stayed near the precipice of Pat Burns’ doghouse for much of the year, twice a healthy scratch, and saw his icetime and production slip through the first three rounds of the playoffs before rebounding with a timely uprising in the finals (7-2-3-5)… The nimble, deceptively quick Gomez is a sneaky puckcarrier who commands respect due to his exceptional vision and knack for finding open linemates with picture-perfect passes; however, he still struggles in the faceoff circle and tends to lose defensive focus at times.

Often the subject of trade rumours, Alaska native bounced back with a productive 2002-03 season. Burns’ no-nonsense style seemed to jump-start Gomez last year, as he finished third on the team in scoring while playing a solid two-way game. Has a good set of hands and has improved his skating. He’s also not afraid to do the dirty work.

Impressed at the World Cup before signing with his hometown pro team with whom he won league scoring title as well as ECHL MVP honours… season ended on a sour note after suffering a broken pelvis in the playoffs thanks to a cheap blindsider… steadily gained prominence throughout 03-04 and finished as the NHL’s hottest player post-all-star break to share the league assist crown with Martin St. Louis… continues to mature.

Surpassed all expectations with an 84-point campaign, driven largely by a 2nd half flurry that coincided with the resignation of Larry Robinson and the return of Patrik Elias… Gomez has always been an elite playmaker. He added a selfish dimension to his game last season en route to a final tally of 33. A seasoned veteran at 26, Gomez is poised for another point per game campaign.

Failed to score on a consistent basis last season. Injuries were a factor but his intensity level waned at times as he grew frustrated with the Devils’ tight defensive system and constant line matching. He stepped it up in the playoffs, however, and posted 14 points in 11 games. With impeccable vision and speed, Gomez should be a PPG player every year.

The 27-year-old Gomez is a superb playmaker who adapts expertly to the finishers around him

First season on Broadway garnered mixed reviews. Early on, the speedy center failed to click with Jaromir Jagr and managed just 3 points in his first 11 games. Eventually he was paired with Brendan Shanahan and Nigel Dawes and became a PPG player again. Gomez is capable of producing at that pace all season. Talented and hard-working, the popular veteran will once again anchor the PP and should replace Jagr as the Rangers’ top offensive weapon.

The much-malighed pivot slumped to 58 points, 12 fewer than last season. Gomez battled an early-season leg injury and Tom Renney’s ultra-conservative system. A sniper to convert his feeds was also lacking. The Canadiens should exploit his speed, passing ability and creativity, but Gomez needs more help up front.

Gomez’ 2006 season sticks out like a sore thumb on his record. He scored 33 goals that year; why can’t he produce like that every year? The answer is because it was a fluke. Although he took a fairly good number of shots, his shooting percentage was 13.5%, nearly twice his career mark of 7.6%. Heck, even when he played in the ECHL during the lockout, he managed only 13 goals. The man is just not a goal scorer, no matter how that one season’s stats may have been perceived.

never really blew over the top in his Montreal debut and also endured some inconsistent stretches… most alarming has been the steady decay in goal scoring from a career high of 33 to just 12 last season, and just one more in the playoffs, where he whiffed on a few… swift and nimble… tends to take the scenic route after making plays, and misses opportunities to drive bravely to the net… lacks power in his shot and is often reluctant to fire when in scoring areas…provided good leadership on the ice… does have intangibles that don’t appear in the stats…

Gomez tied for 20th in the NHL with 47 assists, but more was expected of the 30-year old… an important element in the Canadiens’ attack moving forward. They need more production from him.

Scott Gomez had a terrible season in 2010-11, just ask Scott Gomez. After recording career-low totals in goals, assists, points, and +/-, he apologized for his performance, saying he was “embarrassed:. They don’t need him to be their best player, but too often it seemed he was their worst. With three years and $17M left on his contract, he’d better back up his words with his play.

Matters went from bad to worse for the former Calder winner whose play continued to deteriorate at an alarming rate… posted the worst +/- of his career, as well as the lowest on the team in both the regular season and the playoffs… labored miserably to produce at ES, ending the campaign on a 36-game goalless skid including the playoffs… attack-oriented playmaker. Swift and nimble. Accelerates rapidly and generates good top speed… able to stickhandle through the neutral zone and hold up until linemates get open… overextends himself, however, holding onto the puck too long or turning it over in risky areas… a reluctant shooter, who lost confidence last season in a shot that lacks power and accuracy… defense and checking ability have never been a strong point… too easy to play against… stops driving his feet and loses focus on backchecking assignments… can’t possibly sink any lower.

Most felt the Canadiens were taking a gamble on Gomez – it’s a gamble that’s not paying off… the playmaking center has some explaining to do. He’s expensive and signed long-term, so Montreal needs him to step up.

 

[seventieslord]

Emile "The Cat" Francis

- Member of the HHOF (Builder)
- Stanley Cup Finalist (1972)
- 388-273-117 (.574) in the regular season
- 39-50 (.438) in the playoffs

-The NY Rangers made the playoffs every season he was coach
-4 straight trips to the Conference finals from 71-74, including a loss to the Orr/Esposito Bruins in the Cup finals in 72 and a 4-3 loss to the Broad Street Bullies in the Conference finals in 74
-Before he coached the Rangers, they only made the playoffs in 4 of the previous 16 seasons and never past the first round.
-The Rangers missed the playoffs the two seasons after he left

-Innovation as a player: Francis invented the catcher's glove that all goalies use today:

Emile Francis is the winningest coach in New York Rangers history. Scrappy, cerebral, inventive, innovative, insightful, and determined: Francis brought life and light back to the eyes to Rangers fans from 1965-75 and helped keep NHL hockey in St. Louis during an extremely difficult period in Blues franchise history.

And amidst an NHL career, re-building three troubled franchises – the New York Rangers, the St. Louis Blues and the Hartford Whalers – it should come as no surprise to those who know Emile Francis that the pinnacle of his hockey career was helping youngsters develop a passion for hockey while building the game in his community.

Long recognized as one of the outstanding minds in hockey

Emile Francis played goalie for the Chicago Blackhawks and New York Rangers during the 1940s and 1950s. It was Francis, who played multiple sports in his youth, who got the idea of combining a baseball first-baseman’s glove with a hockey glove. The end result is the catcher’s glove that goalies all over the world use today to catch pucks (Francis never thought to patent his invention).

-Rebuilding a the moribund Rangers:

When his playing career ended Francis worked for the Rangers in their front office developing their farm system. Many of the prospects he signed would later play key roles when he coached the Rangers. He became the Rangers GM in 1964 but by 1965 he was doubling as their head coach too.

The Rangers had been in the doldrums since the end of World War Two, making only six playoff appearances since 1942. Their last Stanley Cup final had been in 1950 when Francis was still a reserve goalie for Chuck Rayner.

The Cat told me in an interview that he made comprehensive changes in the Rangers organization; not just with personnel but also with the team’s facilities.

Instead of using the inadequate practice rink at the old Madison Square Garden, Francis had a brand new practice facility built in Long Island. Vic Hadfield writes in his diary of the 1972-73 Season that Francis made sure that the traveling and hotel conditions were “first class”.

-Coaching philosophy:

Francis told me that he expanded the team’s scouting corps and he wanted to beef up the offense, saying, “I believed in speed; people who could skate, win 60% of face-offs. I kept track of everything: giveaways, takeaways…using films as a coaching tool.”

It wasn’t just speed Francis emphasized. It was physicality too.

Francis told me his philosophy was “play the man”.

“The more hits you had the more shots on goal you could get,” he said. “I wanted my teams to have a minimum forty hits per game.”

To encourage contact Francis had a bounty system of $5 per hit (back then with low salaries $5 was a lot of money) and the Cat told me with a chuckle that there were considerable arguments among the Rangers players about who got the most hits after each game.

-Effect on the Rangers:

His changes paid off when the Rangers made it to the 1967 Stanley Cup playoffs. Although they were swept in four by Montreal (“we didn’t have the depth!” Francis laments) all four games were hotly contested affairs.

“Year by year, we kept getting better,” Francis said.


Indeed, offensively, from 1970-74 the Rangers were always among the top four teams in goals scored, power play goals and power-play percentage. Defensively from 1969-74 the Rangers were always among the top five in defense and penalty-killing.

Francis coached and/or developed many of the greatest players in New York Rangers history: Rod Gilbert, Jean Ratelle, Brad Park, Eddie Giacomin and Harry Howell all earned Hall-of-Fame honors after playing for Emile Francis. Gilbert remains the all-time Rangers goal-scorer and was a two-time NHL All-Star. Ratelle was a two-time Lady Byng Trophy winner.
...
Sadly, despite his efforts, Francis never won the Stanley Cup. The Rangers did make four consecutive Stanley Cup final four appearances from 1971-74 (no other Rangers coach has done this since that time); and in 1972 they made it all the way to the Stanley Cup finals only to be beaten in six games by the Boston Bruins. In 1974 they came within an ace of making it to the finals again but were edged out by the Philadelphia Flyers.

-Ahead of his time:

In many ways Francis was ahead of the curve among his fellow hockey coaches and GMs.

When the present NHL Players Association began in 1967, Francis (unlike Punch Imlach of Toronto) saw the writing on the wall and dealt honestly and fairly with the new union, maintaining peace and harmony with his players. When the World Hockey Association in 1972 made inroads on the NHL, luring away top players with huge salary offers, Francis (unlike Harry Sinden of Boston) promptly renegotiated his contracts with his prime players and thus prevented any major defections to the new league.

-Post-Rangers:

When new ownership took over the Rangers in 1974 and began interfering with the Cat’s leadership, Francis endured it for one season, was fired and moved on to the St. Louis Blues.
...
The Cat left the frying pan and landed into the fire. Francis as GM, coach and part-owner of the Blues waged a desperate eight year struggle to keep the Blues franchise operating. The reason why the Blues remain in St. Louis today is because of Emile Francis’ unstinting efforts.

After 1983 Francis left the Blues and became GM of the Hartford Whalers (now the Carolina Hurricanes) until 1989.

Known as a strict disciplinarian while eliciting fierce loyalty from his players.

Emile is a guy I really respected. He was just very fair but tough too. He had a hardness about him but I liked him. The guys really liked Emile and respected him but they didn't hesitate to (play jokes on him)... we were on a road trip in LA and we were getting ready to go on the ice and Dale Rolfe gets a hold of Emile's goalie skates and he's just rubbing them on the cement floor. He says, "It won't make any difference. he skates the same all the time." Sure enough, Emile came out on the ice and skated around and his skates had to be as dull as dull could be.

one of the very few ex-goalies to turn to coaching…

only man in NHL to hold down dual jobs of coach and GM. Delights in keeping busy and seems constantly in motion…

Credited with building Rangers into strong contender… players believe in him, which is why he returned to the bench last season… “Francis got us playing the way we should be playing,” says Brad Park… shrewd, fiery coach… considered old fashioned and conservative, but shows signs of changing by signing colorful Derek Sanderson.

A firm believer in discipline and fundamental hockey… saved Blues organization from extinction… one of the most respected men in the game…

Hopefully, highlights from 15 pages of interviews from "The Rangers, the Bruins, and the End Of an Era" still to come....

 

[Canadiens1958]

Sylvain Cote

Sylvain Cote, D/RHS, was a first round draft pick of the Hartford Whalers,1984, 11th overall, who became a very steady, underrated defenseman with a very solid two way game, playing on the PP and PK. Physical yet very low PIM total, strong skater, dependable, 2/3 dman.1996 W-Cup, Team Canada member.Minor AST consideration during two seasons.

http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/c/cotesy01.html

Position D/RHS
Height 5'11"
Weight 201 lbs

Regular Season/Playoffs
GP 1117/102
G 122/11
A 313/22
PTS 435/33
TOI 20:01/18:28 career partial
PIM 545/62

 

[Canadiens1958]

Geoff Courtnall

Geoff Courtnall was an undrafted free agent, signed by the Bruins, who developed into a solid LW who played 1st/2nd line minutes for a variety of NHL team. Solid/fast skater, good hands, who brought sandpaper to the rink.Seven times top five in team scoring during the regular season.

http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/c/courtge01.html

Position LW/LHS
Height 6'1"
Weight 204 lbs

Regular Season/Playoffs
GP 1048/156
G 367/39
A 432/70
PTS 799/109
TOI 14:42/11:31 career partial
PIM 1465/262

SC 1988

 

[Canadiens1958]

Jordan Staal

Jordan Staal, 2006 1st round pick, 2nd overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins. Excellent two way center, big, excellent skater, stuck behind Crosby and Malkin. Received Selke consideration.

http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/s/staaljo01.html

Position C/LHS
Height 6'4"
Weight 220 lbs


Regular Season/Playoffs
GP 431/73
G 120/23
A 128/13
PTS 248/36
TOI 18:43/18:51
PIM 231/34
SC - 2009

 

[Canadiens1958]

Claude Larose

Claude Larose was one of the unsung heroes on the Montreal Canadiens SC champion teams in the 1960's/early 1970's. Solid tough, two way player who could step up to first line opportunities and responsibilities. He became part of the North Stars first line - Grant-O'Shea-Larose in the 1968-69 season. Re-acquired by the Canadiens he contributed to two more SCs as a third line player who could fill in on the top lines when called upon:

http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/l/laroscl01.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claude_Larose_(ice_hockey_b._1942)

Career hilites - played in 4 ASGs, 9th and 10th for ESG during two seasons

Position RW/RHS
Height 6'0"
Weight 180 lbs

Regular Season/Playoffs
GP 943/97
G 226/14
A 128/18
PTS 483/32
TOI NA
PIM 887/143

SC 1965,1966,1968,1971,1973

 

[tarheelhockey]

Bronco Horvath

The Winston-Salem Polar Twins select

Bronco Horvath, C



This documentary on the Bruins' "Uke Line" demonstrates Horvath's powerful skating, smooth playmaking, and sharp release. It also gives us a window into his role as a vocal element in the locker room.​

Awards
WHL First All-Star Team (1955)
AHL First All-Star Team (1957)
NHL Second All-Star Team (1960)
6th in Hart voting, 1960
Played in NHL All-Star Game (1960, 1961)
AHL Second All-Star Team (1964, 1965)


Scoring Finishes
Goals: 1, 5, 24, 32, 36
Assist: 7, 8, 24, 37, 46
Points: 2, 5, 24, 30, 37

Goals Per Game, 1957-1961
1. Bernie Geoffrion .58
2. Jean Beliveau .56
3. Dickie Moore .52
4. Bronco Horvath .45
5. Andy Bathgate .45
6. Gordie Howe .43

Points Per Game, 1957-1961
1. Jean Beliveau 1.27
2. Bernie Geoffrion 1.26
3. Dickie Moore 1.21
4. Andy Bathgate 1.15
5. Gordie Howe 1.12
6. Henri Richard 1.01
7. Bronco Horvath 0.95
8. Maurice Richard 0.88
9. Don McKenney 0.86
10. Norm Ullman 0.85


Regular Season

Season| Team| Lge| GP| G| A| Pts| PIM
1949-50| Grand Rapids Rockets| EHL| 5 |6| 1 |7 |12
1950-51| Springfield Indians| AHL| 43 |12| 26 |38 |37
1951-52| Syracuse Warriors| AHL| 50 |12| 36 |48 |56
1952-53| Syracuse Warriors| AHL| 52 |19| 40 |59 |44
1953-54| Syracuse Warriors| AHL| 46 |21| 39 |60 |54
1953-54| Springfield Indians| QHL| 19 |11| 14 |25 |25
1954-55| Edmonton Flyers| WHL| 67 |50 |60| 110 |71
1955-56| New York Rangers| NHL| 66 |12| 17 |29 |40
1956-57| New York Rangers |NHL| 7 |1 |2 |3 |4
1956-57| Montreal Canadiens| NHL| 1 |0 |0 |0 |0
1956-57| Rochester Americans| AHL| 56 |37 |44| 81 |39
1957-58| Boston Bruins| NHL| 67 |30| 36 |66 |71
1958-59| Boston Bruins| NHL |45| 19| 20 |39 |58
1959-60| Boston Bruins| NHL |68| 39| 41 |80 |60
1960-61| Boston Bruins| NHL |47| 15| 15 |30 |15
1961-62| Chicago Blackhawks| NHL| 68| 17 |29 |46 |21
1962-63| Rochester Americans| AHL| 18| 7 |15 |22 |6
1962-63| Toronto Maple Leafs| NHL| 10| 0 |4 |4 |12
1962-63| New York Rangers| NHL| 41| 7 |15 |22 |34
1963-64| Rochester Americans| AHL| 70| 25 |59 |84 |28
1964-65| Rochester Americans| AHL| 72| 38 |68 |106| 24
1965-66| Rochester Americans| AHL| 70| 27 |48 |75 |34
1966-67| Rochester Americans| AHL| 72| 29 |49 |78 |54
1967-68| Rochester Americans| AHL| 44| 15 |29 |44 |10
1967-68| Minnesota North Stars| NHL| 14| 1 |6 |7 |4
1967-68| Tulsa Oilers| CPHL| 4| 1 |2 |3 |0
1968-69| Rochester Americans| AHL| 66 |18 |30 |48 |30
1969-70| Rochester Americans| AHL| 7| 3| 1| 4 |0
NHL Totals ||| 434 |141| 185| 326| 319

NHL Playoffs

Season| Age |Tm |Lg |GP |G |A |PTS
1955-56| 25 |NYR |NHL |5 |1 |2 |3
1957-58| 27 |BOS |NHL |12 |5 |3 |8
1958-59| 28 |BOS |NHL |7 |2 |3 |5
1961-62| 31 |CBH |NHL |12 |4 |1 |5

- Horvath's 22-game scoring streak starting 12/27/1959 was the longest until Guy Lafleur in 1977.

Originally signed by the Detroit Red Wings, Bronco Horvath has the rare distinction of at one time or another being the property of all of the Original Six teams!

Bronco Horvath may be one of the gabbiest players in the National Hockey League but he's also one of its most feared marksmen.
...
Horvath has a terrific wrist shot so Bucyk and Stasiuk dig out the puck and feed it to him.

One of the greatest goals ever scored in the National Hockey League was undoubtedly the 17th netted by Bronco Joseph Horvath in his 19th game of the current season. It was at the Boston Gardens and he had battled through the entire Detroit team to out-manoeuvre the skilled Terry Sawchuk inside the goal crease.

In an unexpected, dramatic finish, Bobby Hull of Chicago vaulted past Boston's Bronco Horvath to win the scoring championship
...
Hull scored a goal and a winning assist to capture the title despite a dramatic return from the hospital by Horvath.
...
Horvath had been hit in the face by the puck seconds before the first period ended. At that point he led Hull 80 to 79.

As he was being X-rayed at a nearby hospital, Hull scored. When the X-ray proved negative, Horvath raced back and played the final period. But it was Hull who got the tie-breaking point on an assist.

Horvath, by this time considerably slower but still one of the most apt men in the league near the opposition nets put in a fair season with the Hawks, scoring 46 points.
...
The big question now is whether Horvath can overcome his lackadaisical back-checking habits, considered one of the reasons the Rangers put him on waivers.

Horvath wanted to stay in Minnesota, but the Leafs wouldn't sell his contract to the Stars.

"Crozier and Imlach (Toronto Maple Leaf management) were playing games. They wanted 5 players and $50,000 for me! I could have a had a good life in Minnesota," said Horvath be grudgingly. "That's not right. I wanted to be in the big leagues. But I learned every time I was in the minors. It was hard to come back. They control you. They tell you what you can do and what you can't do. No matter how good you are, they're going to stick you.

Never shy about offering his opinion, Horvath was once quoted as saying "If Chief (Bucyk) hadn't got injured, I'd have shattered 50 goals. I'd love to be able to play hockey today with Bucyk and Stasiuk on the wings. I'd score over a 100 goals a year with the 80 game schedule."

Horvath's second season in Boston was interrupted by a broken jaw which limited him to just 19 goals in 45 games. ... The "Ukes" were broken up [in 1962], due mostly to injuries. Horvath himself spent another injury plagued season in Boston, playing in just 47 games. ... Despite playing with a badly broken thumb, Horvath played well in 14 games with the Stars, collecting 1 goal and 7 points.

I think Horvath's good enough to be a top-line guy in the MLD, where his top-shelf skills match up well against the lesser defencemen, defensive forwards and goaltenders, and his deficiencies aren't exposed as much. raleh's a Horvath fan (I think), which is surprising since Horvath's far from the prototypical raleh-type. We had him on a line with Balon and Balfour in MLD 8, and we were thrilled with that line. Two speedy, skilled grinders to play with Bronco.

I think Bronco's talented enough to be in the ATD. And I think he would be an ATDer if he played post-expansion, when more jobs were available, and teams were more willing to be patient with a one-dimensional offensive player. Guys like Horvath didn't last long in the Original 6 era. Not when you had so many capable players waiting in the wings, wanting an NHL job. And that's why he bounced around so much. (He was the only player to have his rights owned by all six Original 6 teams - thanks to my best buddy for stumping me on that one so many years ago).

His peak and his skill level indicate he could be a bottom-end second line scoring centre, or a good third offensive line centre. But I don't think he'd be able to do what it takes to be an ATDer. Doesn't have the work ethic, the willingness to do the little things, etc, against the elite goalies, the elite defencemen, the elite checkers. And I don't think Horvath's fit to be a 13th forward. Doesn't have the character or the versatility.

Horvath was clearly an elite player from 1957-1961 or so. Top-5 in goals and points twice against a full-strength league during the Golden Era of the Original 6 NHL, one of the most competitive/least diluted points in league history. Unfortunately, he was injured for large portions of the 58-59 and 60-61 seasons or that stretch would look a lot better. Would have probably finished top-10 in scoring in '59 as well without missing 25 games due to injury.

Trades & Transactions

Traded to NY Rangers by Detroit with Dave Creighton for Billy Dea, Aggie Kukulowicz and cash, August 18, 1955.
Traded to Montreal by NY Rangers for cash, November 4, 1956.
Claimed by Boston from Montreal in Intra-League Draft, June 5, 1957.
Claimed by Chicago from Boston in Intra-League Draft, June 13, 1961.
Claimed by NY Rangers from Chicago in Intra-League Draft, June 4, 1962.
Claimed on waivers by Toronto from NY Rangers, January 23, 1963.
Loaned to Minnesota by Toronto (Rochester - AHL) as injury replacement for Bill Masterton, January 21, 1968.
Returned to Toronto (Rochester-AHL) by Minnesota when trade negotiations failed, February 27, 1968.
Rights transferred to Vancouver (WHL) after WHL club purchased Rochester (AHL) franchise, August 13, 1968.

 

[Canadiens1958]

Kris Letang

Kris Letang, D/RHS, 2005, 3rd round pick by the Penguins who has surpassed projections, Strong two way defensman with a solid transition game. Plays with a bit of an edge. #1 defenseman, receiving significant AST and Norris consideration a few times, 2ASGs.

http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/l/letankr01.html

Position D/RHS
Height 6'0"
Weight 200 lbs

Regular Season/Playoffs
GP 350/65
G 39/10
A 132/21
PTS 171/31
TOI 21:43/20:41
PIM 237/75

SC 2009

 

[Canadiens1958]

Mike Ridley

Mike Ridley,undrafted, Canadian university background, a very underrated two way center, strong defensively yet close to .9 PPG during the regular season.Excellent,aggressive forechecker with low PIMs. Received Selke consideration a few times. 1 ASG.

http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/r/ridlemi01.html

Position C/LHS
Height 6'0"
Weight 195 lbs

Regular Season/Playoffs
GP 866/104
G 292/28
A 466/50
PTS 758/78
TOI NA
PIM 424/70

 

[Michael Farkas]

Medicine Hat selects LW Andre Pronovost

4x Stanley Cup Champion
Went to the playoffs 7 times in his career, went to the Stanley Cup Finals 6 of those 7 (the exception, the expansion North Stars - though they did win a round).

Fun fact: Nearly killed Boom Boom Geoffrion with a body check in a scrimmage.

Noted as a terrific checker and defensive player, with good goal-scoring ability. Was effective as a shutdown winger against top competition to the point that he won 4 Cups and appeared in two others. Known for his great board work, physical play and a willingness to drop the gloves when called upon. Played on a line with Phil Goyette and Claude Provost in Montreal. When traded to Boston he played on a line with Jerry Toppazzini and Don McKenney. Played with Pit Martin and Bruce MacGregor in Detroit (at least in the playoffs). There was a different center at other points, but he's an undrafted.

...one of the league's ace defensive specialists...

The addition of Pronovost provides them with [a] hard working, checking wing...

Andre Pronovost, the hard working forward obtained a year ago...

Like countless junior scoring sensations before him, André Pronovost radically altered his game to earn a spot in the NHL, becoming a defensive specialist for the Canadiens. The former Shawinigan forward saw action during 10 NHL seasons, kicking off the first five with the Habs.

Joining the defending Stanley Cup champions in 1956-57 the 5-foot-9, 185-pound left winger was put on a line with Phil Goyette and Claude Provost. The team’s third line was assigned the task of holding the top trios from the other NHL clubs at bay.

Effectively stifling superstars on opposing teams, Pronovost played a key role in the Habs’ success, seeing his name engraved on the Stanley Cup four springs in a row from 1957 through 1960.

A strong skater, the solid forward knew how to make efficient use of his compact frame, adding strength and a heavy hip check to tools he consistently brought to the rink every night.

While he concentrated on his defensive responsibilities, Pronovost still managed to let his offensive upside shine through. The former scoring star lit the lamp 16 times in 1957-58 and hit a career high with 31 points in 1959-60, his last full season with the Canadiens.

Pronovost picked up a loose puck at the Montreal blueline and skated the length of the ice before firing the winning goal past Sawchuk last night. ||| "I just grabbed the puck, got around Marcel Pronovost and put it in the near corner" [said Pronovost].

Both have good speed (referring to whom he was traded for). Pronovost, two years younger, known as "the spoke that makes the wheel go" on the Canadiens' strong checking line. ||| Pronovost's line, however, one of four used regularly by Coach Toe Blake, saw a good deal less ice time, and then principally for defensive purposes, being thrown against the opposition's best for its checking ability. Bruins' coach XXXX XXXXXXX expects a good two-way effort from Pronovost, and a sizable portion of muscle to make McKenney more effective. With Toppazzini, another strong forward,/B]...[Coach] hopes the addition of Pronovost will give him another high-scoring line. "He was one of their regulars on four Stanley Cup teams and a member of the only Canadiens' line which has remained intact since 1956-57. So he must be able to do something," XXXXXXX exclaimed.

"Andre (Pronovost) made a terrific play on the goal He put a perfect pass over to me, then screened XXXXXXX on my shot."

Andre Pronovost once worried about the likes of Gordie Howe, George Armstrong, Leo Labine and Frank Mahovlich. As a left winger Pronovost had the unenviable job of holding players like Gordie Howe in check. "He was tough," says Pronovost. "You didn't have time to score too many goals while watching Gordie." He remembers some other Hall of Fame players he played against: Andy Bathgate who "was hard to cover;" Leo Labine who was "a little pest;" and George Armstrong who "you always had to watch." Then there was big Frank Mahovlich. "He was a great hockey player," says Pronovost. "We used to say let the big guy sleep for once you hit him and woke him up you couldn't stop him." ...every team had three good lines - it's not like that now. "Some guys in the NHL today couldn't make the American Hockey League teams...when there were only six NHL teams."

Full disclosure, Pronovost never really seemed to regain his zeal for the game after being traded from the Canadiens (though he claims otherwise, so who am I to say). He was devastated by the trade and it affected him. He nearly retired as a result. He ended up in the minors a bit right before expansion (mostly because he wanted a raise from Detroit, and you know how Detroit handled rabblerousers at the time) - where he was a top-liner and major producer, but didn't care as much for the game. Even with below average conditioning in his later years, he was still among the team leaders in goals/points. He was also counted on to penalty kill and was known for his board work. He became a coach in juniors for one season, but quit because he thought he was too hard on the players.

 

[Canadiens1958]

Rick Green

Rick Green, drafted 1st overall by Washington in 1976, had some offensive skills but an injury plaqued career made him a solid stay at home defenseman. Excellent sense of the geometry of the game, efficient and very rarely out of position. Key element of the 1986 Canadiens SC victory, mentored the young defensemen, eventually an assistant coach - defence in the NHL:

http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/g/greenri01.html

Position D/LHS
Height 6'3"
Weight 220 lbs

Regular Season/Playoffs
GP 845/100
G 43/3
A 220/16
PTS 263/19
TOI NA
PIM 588/73
SC 1986

 

[Canadiens1958]

Don Sweeney

Don Sweeney, 6th round pick that surpassed projections, solid 2nd/3rd defenseman, stay at home, conservative, went to two SC finals with the Bruins:

http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/s/sweendo01.html

Position D/LHS
Height 5'10"
Weight 185 lbs

Regular Season/Playoffs
GP 1115/108
G 52/9
A 221/10
PTS 273/19
TOI 18:25/18:41 career partial
PIM 681/81

 

[Canadiens1958]

Danny Grant

Danny Grant,one of the last spomsorship players who made the NHL thru the Montreal Canadiens system, first line LW on expansion or weak teams after a brief trial with Montreal. 1969 Calder winner, 3 ASG appearances, 6th in ESG during the 1974-75 season, 50 goal scorer, regularly amongst teams top 5 scorers

Position LW/LHS
Height 5'10"
Weight 188 lbs

Regular Season/Playoffs
GP 736/43
G 263/10
A 273/14
PTS 536/24
TOI NA
PIM 239/19
SC 1968

 

[Canadiens1958]

Russ Courtnall

Russ Courtnall, 1st round, 7th overall, 1983 Maple Leaf pick, Fast, quick RW with above average playmaking skills, responsible defensively, 1 ASG appearance:

http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/c/courtru01.html

Position RW/RHS
Height 5'11"
Weight 185 lbs

Regular Season/Playoffs
GP 1029/128
G 297/39
A 447/44
PTS 744/83
TOI 15:03/NA
PIM 557/83

 

[Hedberg]

RW Arthur Farrell

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

1899, 1900 Stanley Cup Champion
3rd (1901), 5th (1900), 5th (1899) CAHL Scoring
Member of the Hockey Hall of Fame

31 G in 23 CAHL GP

Legends of Hockey

He joined the Montreal Shamrocks in 1897 as a forward and played on two Stanley Cup winning teams in 1899 and 1900. He once scored five goals in a game against Quebec on March 2, 1901, and was known as one of the men responsible for moving the focus of hockey from individual play to team, or "combination," play.

Greatest Hockey Legends

None other than the great Lester Patrick considered Tommy Phillips to be one of the top greats in hockey's earliest era.

In a 1925 article Patrick was asked to select his all-time all-star team. Here's what he said:

"My opinion is based on consistency of players over a period of years, and the fact that men selected possessed nearly all the fundamentals of an ideal player - physique, stamina, courage, speed, stick-handling, goal-getting ability, skill in passing, proper temperament and, above all, hockey brains."

Patrick selected Hughie Lehman in goal, Sprague Cleghorn and Hod Stuart on defence, and up front he chose Tom Phillips, Arthur Farrell and Fred "Cyclone" Taylor.

The Dictionary of Canadian Biography

rthur Farrell was the fourth in a family of eight. Since his father was a merchant and alderman in Montreal, he grew up in comfortable circumstances. From 1895 to 1897 he studied at the Collège Sainte-Marie, where he began his hockey career in 1896 and met students who would later be his teammates on the Montreal Shamrocks. There were frequent intramural hockey games at the college and games against other establishments, notably the Pensionnat du Mont-Saint-Louis. Sainte-Marie’s four forwards – Farrell, Harry Trihey, Fred Scanlan, and Jack Brennan – would become the core of the Shamrocks’ offence.

The Shamrocks played in the Amateur Hockey Association of Canada, having succeeded the Montreal Crystals in 1895. Canada’s leading hockey league at the time, the AHAC also included the Ottawa Silver Seven, the Quebec Bulldogs, the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association, and the Montreal Victorias. The four collegians joined the Shamrocks in 1897.

All the teams in the AHAC were anglophone until 1905, when francophone ones entered the league, and only the Shamrocks used French-speaking players. The club was made up mainly of Irish Catholics who had studied in bilingual classical colleges. Thus it was with the Irish that French Canadians learned to play hockey, and the Shamrocks’ seven players were bilingual.

The Shamrocks introduced a major innovation into hockey: the passing game. Team captain Harry Trihey took the lead as rover linking the forwards and the defencemen. With forward passing of the puck not allowed, the favourite tactic was to have one of the forwards advance, with the other three following. As in rugby, the lead would pass back to one of the others when his way was blocked. The Shamrocks speeded up the game by using all four forwards together and passing the puck backwards and sideways to force the opposing defencemen to move.

Having finished the 1899 season in first place, the Shamrocks took the Stanley Cup [see Frederick Arthur Stanley] away from the defending champions, the Montreal Victorias. They then had to hold it against challengers. On 14 March 1899 they defeated Queen’s College in Kingston, Ont., by a 6–2 score to retain the precious cup. The Shamrocks remained the champions the next year and defended the cup twice, winning two games against the Winnipeg Victorias in February 1900 and two against the Halifax Crescents in March. In the last Farrell scored four goals, one fewer than his all-time high, which he would achieve against Quebec on 2 March 1901.

Hockey Hall of Fame: The Official Register Of the Game's Honour Roll (originally posted by seventieslord)

He was a stylish player, along the lines of a Joe Primeau or a Syl Apps.

The Montreal Gazette, Nov. 7, 1940

Jimmy Gardner, an all-time great himself, picked Ernie Russell, Russell Bowie, Frank McGee and Art Farrell as among the best he ever saw.

 

[Canadiens1958]

Billy Harris

Billy Harris, one of the last classic RWers produced by the Maple Leaf sponsorship system, solid north/south, two way player,physical with low PIMs, drafted by the Islanders first overall in 1972. 1 ASG appearance.

http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/h/harribi02.html

Position RW/LHS
Height 6'2"
Weight 195 lbs

Regular Season/Playoffs
GP 897/71
G 231/19
A 327/19
PTS 558/38
TOI NA
PIM 394/48