gold star for USAHOF

1978 Hockey Inductees

Like the year before, two major entries headlined the Class of 1978. Jacques Plante and Andy Bathgate shared the spotlight, and remain in high regard in hockey lore today. The third player in the group, Marcel Pronovost was another good inductee from the Montreal Canadians dynasty. The Hockey Hall of Fame only wishes it could induct three players like this every year.
The winner of the 1959 Hart Trophy winner was one of the most complete forwards of his era, though had the misfortune of playing of having his peak while playing with below average New York Rangers squads. Bathgate was constantly in the top ten in scoring and did tie for the lead in 1962, losing out on the Art Ross to Bobby Hull who had…
We are not sure that we completely agree with the Builder’s Category selection of Jack Bickell. He came into Hockey with an investment to stabilize the Toronto St. Pats and was essentially the silent partner. Later, the team was purchased by Conn Smythe and rechristened the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Bickell was convinced by Smythe to still serve in the same capacity. He was not…
The dynasty of the late 1950’s Montreal Canadians had a plethora of scoring power, all of which felt comfortable to let it fly on the ice with the knowledge that Jacques Plante was in between the pipes. Plante is known for being the first goalie to regularly wear a protective mask, which seems to be what he is remembered mostly for. That may be an important…
Marcel Pronovost was an excellent stay at home Defenceman who was a big part of the Detroit Red Wings multiple Stanley Cup wins in the early 50’s. He was known throughout the league for his rough style of play, delivering devastating hits to offensive attackers, and taking his own share of punishment for the benefit of the team. Pronovost would become a regular participant to the…
A longtime executive with the Montreal Canadians, Sam Pollock first rose to importance as the Director of Player Personell, and it was clear that his eye for talent had few equals. He would continue to rise up the ranks and in 1963 he took over the reins of the General Manger position when Frank J. Selke resigned. Pollock thrived in this new role, and it was…
Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame for his work in American and International Hockey, William Tutt helped to build the Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs which would be the host of the first ever NCAA Hockey Championships. Tutt also helped organize the United States National Team and helped to organize the Soviet National Team’s visit to the States in 1959. He also brought the…