1966-67: Bobby Orr Debuts

The Three Stars:

Bobby Orr Begins Amazing Career - Boston Bruins fans get a look at the future as 18 year old defenseman Bobby Orr jumps from junior hockey to make his NHL debut, and he does not disappoint. He is named top rookie as he scores an impressive 41 points in 61 games. The Bruins also see the downside of his future as he is hospitalized and misses action due to a serious knee injury.


Leafs Win 1967 Stanley Cup - With an average age of 31.4 years the Toronto Maple Leafs become the oldest team to win the Stanley Cup. They stun the first place Chicago Black Hawks in the semifinal and then beat arch-rival Montreal in an all Canadian Stanley Cup final - in Canada's centennial year nonetheless! Though the Leafs are a team full of veterans it is young Dave Keon who leads the way with a Conn Smythe trophy worthy performance.

Mikita Hat Trick - Stan Mikita becomes the first player in NHL history to win the Hart Trophy, Art Ross Trophy and Lady Byng Trophy all in the same season. He led all scorers with 97 points. The reformed bad boy only picked up 12 penalty minutes.

Season Highlights

• The Black Hawks end the mythical Curse of Muldoon as they finish in 1st place in the regular season. Legend had it that Chicago's first coach, Pete Muldoon, hexed the franchise to never finish first after he was fired in 1927. The legend was all a piece of fiction concocted by writer Jim Coleman.
• Chicago's Bobby Hull leads all scorers with 52 goals, the third time Hull reaches the 50 goal mark. The Hawks set a new NHL record with 264 goals in the regular season.
• Another important newcomer to Boston is coach Harry Sinden. With Orr's help Sinden would resurrect the Bruins.
• Boom Boom Geoffrion ends two years of retirement to play for the New York Rangers. He scores 17 goals in 58 games.
• Harry Howell wins the Norris Trophy as top defenseman. He also plays his 1000th game this season.
• Paul Henderson of Detroit plays NHL games while wearing a surgical mask while suffering from tracheitis.
• Rocket Richard is among the first people in Canada to be honoured with the Order of Canada.