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 hard to argue that he was not the shrewdest GM in the NHL as he constantly outwitted his rivals keeping his franchise loaded with talent. Under the fourteen years that Sam Pollock served as the Habs’ General Manager, they would win the Stanley Cup nine times. How can you keep that kind of resume out?

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 All Star Game (he played in 11) and for a four year stretch he was named to the post season All Star team. Later in his career, he was traded to Toronto and was part of what looked like an all “senior” line up that won the Cup for the Buds in 1967. He would remain in hockey becoming a scout (and a very good one) for the New Jersey Devils and be part of three Stanley Cups; long after he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1978.

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 fact, but we would rather think of his six Stanley Cups, seven Vezinas, one Hart and seven All Star selections.

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 exactly the silent partner in the creation of the fabled Maple Leaf Gardens, where his financial support and tireless efforts ensured that it came to fruition. Smythe would appoint Bickell as the Garden’s first President and later the Chairman of the Board. Maple Leaf Gardens is a vital place in Hockey’s history, but does a silent partner in a hockey franchise really belong in the Hall of Fame?