Site Admin
Frank Brimsek
Feb 24, 2013
Published in
1966 Hockey Inductees
With the very cool nickname of “Mr. Zero” Frank Brimsek was a two time Vezina Trophy winner and is one of the greatest American Goalies of all time. Brimsek was consistently named to Post Season All Star teams and was a two time Stanley Cup champion with the Boston Bruins. Fittingly, Brimsek was inducted into the first class of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame which is located in his hometown of Eveleth, Minnesota.
Elmer Lach
Feb 24, 2013
Published in
1966 Hockey Inductees
When Elmer Lach retired from professional hockey in 1954, he was the leading scorer in NHL history. This feat was especially impressive considered how injury prone Lach was. The career long Montreal Canadian may have been known for getting injured, but he was revered in the league for his tenacious will to recover quickly from those trips to the hospital. Lach centered the Habs famed “Punch Line” with fellow Hall of Famers, Rocket Richard and Toe Blake and this trio was easily the most feared line in Hockey. In addition to three Stanley Cups, Elmer won the Hart Trophy in 1945, was a three time First Team All Star and was the recipient of the first ever Art Ross trophy awarded to the player with the highest points total. Had the award been in play before, he would have won it also in 1945.
Clarence Campbell
Feb 24, 2013
Published in
1966 Hockey Inductees
Initially a referee in the National Hockey League (who was assigned to referee some very important games), Clarence Campbell was moved to the office and was groomed to be the heir apparent to take over the Presidency of the NHL. The plan was temporarily derailed as Campbell joined the Canadian military to serve in World War II (in which he rose from Private to Lt. Colonel) but he returned in 1946 to serve under Red Dutton as the Vice President. Dutton (who never really wanted to be the President) swiftly resigned, and Campbell took over the job.
Butch Bouchard
Feb 24, 2013
Published in
1966 Hockey Inductees
Although Emile “Butch” Bouchard was mostly a stay-at-home Defenceman, his well timed and accurate passing skills were often the catalyst for the Montreal Canadians expert offensive rushes. Bouchard brought a strong physical presence to the Habs defense which the squad desperately needed. His bodychecks became legendary in the NHL, and despite his immense strength and physical play, he rarely got into fights. Bouchard would help Montreal win four Stanley Cups and was a First Team All Star three times. Perhaps more importantly, as Bouchard came into his own, he would often serve as a mentor to many of the younger players, making that much more valuable to the team dynamic. The Hall of Fame induction was a nice finishing touch for a good man with a great career.