1973 Hockey Inductees
The Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 1973 celebrated legends who mastered the ice from the blue line to the crease. Headlining the player category was Doug Harvey, widely regarded as one of the greatest defensemen in NHL history and a key architect of the Montreal Canadiens' 1950s dynasty.
The 1973 class also extended its honors to Tommy Smith, a prolific scorer from hockey’s early professional years, and referee Frank Udvari, one of the most respected officials to ever wear the stripes. Together, these five inductees represent a diverse cross-section of hockey excellence, from on-ice dominance to executive vision
Depending on whom you ask, the induction of Chuck Rayner to the Hockey Hall of Fame may be a bit of a curious one. Overall, Rayner’s career was not an extensive one (Interrupted by his service in World War II), but upon his return to the NHL, he did win the Hart Trophy and was a Second Team All Star three times. His other claim to…
The unquestioned top Defenceman in his era (so why didn’t he get fast tracked to the Hall of Fame like others around this time? We’ll get to that in a bit) Doug Harvey won seven Norris Trophies to testify to that fact. His brilliant offensive rushes were equally matched by his defensive prowess and desire to stop offensive attackers at any cost. Harvey was the top…
Hartland Molson (Yes, Canadians, he is from THAT Molson family) would become the President and Chairman of the Montreal Canadians and under his watch, the Habs became the most valuable commodity in the sport of Hockey. Molson also worked on behalf of the NHL Finance funds and was a big part in owner/player relations. Maybe, Gary Bettman could have used him the last twenty years.
On the Stanley Cup for helping out the Ottawa Silver Seven for a few games in 1905, Tommy Smith turned professional the following year with the Pittsburgh Professionals in the IHL and led the league in scoring. Smith actually never stayed anywhere long, but regardless of what team and what league he played in, was usually put in goals by the truckload. Tommy Smith would win…