Posted on 03/06/2020 8:11:38 AM PST by OttawaFreeper
The modern draft system was first put into place by about 1969. Before that, you are correct in saying that Montreal controlled the rights to many French Canadian players in Quebec. The Leafs did this sort of thing in the Toronto area and that’s how they were able to get players like Carl Brewer, Bob Pulford, Bob Baun, and others that contributed to the 1960s successes.
Montreal built their great teams of the 1970s by selling a few of their veterans and farmhands (many of whom were very decent players) to expansion clubs in exchange for high draft picks. This is how they landed Guy Lafleur in 1971 by getting the pick to select him from the California Golden Seals.
Got his autograph years ago. Rest in peace, good sir.
Like many things, sports training, nutrition, and equipment technology have really progressed.
I’m not slighting earlier players, but they played with heavy wooden sticks, so they did not take 107 mph slap-shots. Their skates were heavier and slower. Also, weight training was not considered important in the 1950s and 1960s and no athlete trained year-round like they do now. Many smoked and drank throughout the season. Players are simply bigger, faster and stronger now.
I remember reading how the 1970 Nebraska Corn Huskers were the first team to use weight training and even then it was controversial. Coach Bob Devaney told the trainer Boyd Epley he’d be fired if any players got slower. When Nebraska blew Alabama off the line in the orange Bowl in Jan. 1972, football (and other sports) accepted that strength training was a key part of training.
I was fortunate enough to see Les Glorieux at the Forum in January 1966. I saw Boston, Chicago, and the Leafs come to town.
I have never experienced such intense fan passion as then. I’m still a Habs fan.
Here’s a famous NFB short about “The Sweater”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZyDsF-Gp3o
It truly captures a facet of Canadian identity.
I remember him in the latter years of his career, skating around with a big shock of white hair. It would have been in Pittsburgh which meant the Penguins were losing 8-0 or something.
RIP.
RIP.
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