1965/66

Here's the latest Maple Leaf Gardens program added to the collection. It fills the gap I had between 1959/60 and 1976/77. Now I need only three seasons between 1946/47 and 76/77, getting there.

This one's from opening night, October 23, 1965 with Chicago as the visitor. Lineup page is below.

Leaf captain George Armstrong  traveled the world the previous summer as a goodwill ambassador. It appears he was often pictured in his native head-dress, being "The Chief" and all.

Armstrong got as far as the middle-east, touring on a camel trek as well as visiting over-seas troops.

Here's a couple cool advertisements, one featuring Johnny Bower's "sticky" glove hand.

This is a shot I have never seen before, comedy superstar Bob Hope picture in Maple Leaf wear. Hope was in town for a multi-night engagement at the Canadian National Exhibition at the time of the photo. Below is a a shot of Bobby Hull posing with heavyweight boxing champ Ernie Terrell.

1958/59

Latest addition is from the 1958/59 season, a game that took place February 25 against the Montreal Canadiens. Going into this game Toronto sat in last place of the six team NHL with 48 points in 57 games and yet on this night they beat the first place (by 15 points over second spot) Montreal Caandiens 3-2.

Montreal held a 2-0 lead after one period on goals from Phil Goyette and Jean Beliveau but Toronto scored three in an eight minute span of the second and gel;d on for the win. Goals from Frank Mahovlich, Bert Olmstead (pictured on this game's program cover) and Gerry Ehman. Leaf goalie Ed Chadwick turned aside 26 of 28 shots for the win while Jacques Plante allowed three goals on 31 shots.

Including this game, Toronto would finish the season on a 8-4-1 run to grab the fourth and final playoff spot by one point over the New York Rangers. Toronto took the first round over Boston in seven games before losing the Cup finbal in five to the same Canadiens.

Here's a neat story inside the program about how the Leafs pioneered the advanced statistic craze of today. I wrote about it further here:

http://nitzyshockeyden.blogspot.ca/2013/12/advanced-stats-circa-1959.html

 Great ad for Beehive Corn Syrup featuring Leaf Ron Stewart.

Another nice article, this one about the newly installed Wurlitzer organ at Maple Leaf Gardens. Note the large portrait of the queen which would be replace by seating in later years.