1962-63 Nhl Season Article Index for
1962-63
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Information About

1962-63 Nhl Season





REGULAR SEASON

Some diversionary news hit the sports pages the day of the All-star game when it was reported
that Frank Mahovlich had been sold to Chicago for $1 million and James D. Norris produced a
cheque for the amount. On the advice of Conn Smythe, Punch Imlach declined the deal, Imlach
stating that a million dollars doesn't score goals, and Mahovlich would remain a Maple Leaf.

A serious incident took place October 23rd between the Montreal Canadiens and Chicago
Black Hawks. A vicious stick-swinging duel took place between Gilles Tremblay and
Reg Fleming that was said to be the worst since the Geoffrion-Murphy fight in 1953. Both players received match penalties and $100 fines. Tremblay emerged with a bad cut on his head that required
many stitches. Coach Toe Blake had some caustic remarks for Fleming when he was leaving the ice which almost resulted in another fight. The Canadiens and Back Hawks played to a 4-4 tie.
President Campbell suspended Tremblay and Fleming for three games.

Glenn Hall's consecutive game streak came to an end November 8th when he suffered a pinched
nerve in his back and he was relieved by Denis DeJordy in the first period of a game Chicago
tied Boston 3-3. DeJordy played well in the next game as the Black Hawks beat the Canadiens
3-1.

Chicago was improving and moved into a first place tie with Detroit when they blanked
Boston 5-0 November 29th. Mikita scored two goals and Bobby Hull had one. The same night,
the Rangers shut out the Red Wings 5-0 as Gump Worsley played a fine game. Worsley was
unlucky in his next game as Chicago beat the Rangers 5-1. Worsley badly injured his shoulder
and had to be replaced by Marcel Pelletier. Gump went to the hospital where he would have
his shoulder in traction for ten days.

Andy Hebenton had the hat trick December 16th as the Rangers beat Detroit 5-2 at Madison Square
Garden. The game was spoiled by a brawl, the chief participants being Dave Balon,
Bill Gadsby, Doug Barkley and Terry Sawchuk. All were fined.

Andy Bathgate got both goals when they tied Montreal 2-2 at the Forum January 5th. This was
the tenth consecutive game in which he had scored. The streak was terminated when Jacques
Plante blanked the Rangers 6-0 in New York.

Jean Beliveau scored his 300th NHL goal January 26th when the Rangers beat the Canadiens 4-2
at the Forum. Goals had not come very fast this year, and he hinted that this might be his
last season. The writers didn't take him seriously, however. The next night, the Canadiens
beat the Black Hawks 3-1 at Chicago Stadium and Beliveau scored a spectacular goal,
giving a beautiful exhibition of stickhandling.

Bernie Geoffrion and Don Marshall were back January 31st, but the Canadiens lost 6-3 to
Toronto at the Forum. Coach Toe Blake was not pleased with the officiating and was quoted
in a French newspaper that referee Eddie Powers handled the game as if he had bet on the
outcome. This attracted the attention of NHL president Clarence Campbell who said the
matter would be investigated. Later, Blake was fined $200 by Campbell. Powers considered
the fine inadequate and submitted his resignation as a referee. He cited Red Storey when
Campbell wouldn't support decisions he made. Powers then sued Blake for libel.

Bobby Hull scored all three goals as Chicago beat Boston 3-1 February 17th. On the same night,
Montreal beat Detroit 6-1 and Howie Young established a penalty record when he high-sticked
a Canadiens player and then commenced a tantrum which drew him a minor, major, misconduct
and game misconduct totalling 27 minutes. His season total was now 208 minutes in penalties.
NHL president Campbell then tacked on a three game suspension.

Detroit ousted the Rangers from the playoffs March 3rd with a 3-2 win.

Bernie Geoffrion was in trouble for an incident during a game March 5th that Montreal won 4-3.
Referee Vern Buffey had given Jacques Plante a penalty for slashing Howie Young and then a
bench penalty when the Canadiens protested. Geoffrion threw his stick at Buffey and his
gloves as well. Geoffrion was given a match penalty and president Campbell assessed
Geoffrion a five game suspension.

Lou Fontinato 's career came to a tragic end March 9th when he tried to check
Vic Hadfield
and instead was thrown headlong into the boards by the Ranger player. Fontinato lay motionless
on the ice for some time before being carried off the ice on a stretcher and taken to
Montreal General Hospital where the diagnosis was a fractured neck, a crushed cervical
vertebra. He gradually recovered from his paralyzed condition, but would never play hockey
again. Jacques Laperriere replaced Fontinato on the Canadiens defence.

It was quite a race for playoff positions as 5 points separated fourth and first. Gordie Howe lead the Red Wings and the NHL as he won his sixth and last Art Ross Trophy and Hart Trophy .


Final standings

''GP = Games Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against, PIM = Penalties In Minutes''


''Teams that qualified for playoffs are highlighted in bold''


Scoring leaders

''Note: GP = Games played, G = Goals, A = Assists, PTS = Points, PIM = Penalties in minutes''


Leading goaltenders



STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS


Playoff bracket

  RD1-seed1 '''1'''
  RD1-team1 ''' Toronto Maple Leafs '''
  RD1-score1 '''4'''
  RD1-seed2 3
  RD1-team2 Montreal Canadiens
  RD1-score2 1
  RD1-seed3 2
  RD1-team3 Chicago Black Hawks
  RD1-score3 2
  RD1-seed4 '''4'''
  RD1-team4 ''' Detroit Red Wings '''
  RD1-score4 '''4'''
  RD2-seed1 '''1'''
  RD2-team1 ''' Toronto Maple Leafs '''
  RD2-score1 '''4'''
  RD2-seed2 4
  RD2-team2 Detroit Red Wings
  RD2-score2 1




NHL AWARDS



All-Star teams



DEBUTS



LAST GAMES

The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 1962-63 (listed with their last team):


SEE ALSO



REFERENCES