NHL 50 Years
From 1930 to 1980

The essence of professional hockey is excitement! The moment of stark drama when one man gets the puck. Will he shoot? Will he pass? Will he score?

Like their players, National Hockey League Managers and coaches have shown amazing agility over the years when opportunity knocked.

Conn Smythe... In 1927, a feud with the New York Rangers sent him to Toronto. Smythe bought his own team for $160,000. and called them the Maple Leafs. In order to lure a young hot-shot named King Clancy to the Leafs, Smythe needed a quick $35,000. So he placed a bet on one of his horses, a long shot called "Rare Jewel", who lived up to his name with an unexpected victory.

Lester Patrick... In the 1928 Stanley Cup playoffs, coach Patrick had to replace his injured goalie. With no Substitute in Sight, Patrick donned the protective gear himself and a Ranger uniform to help the team to a crucial, overtime victory. Patrick was 44 years old at the time, an age when lesser man are content with the Hot Stove League.

Jack Adams... He placed his faith in a lean, slope-Shouldered rookie. The winger's name was Gordie Howe and the rest is hockey history. Frank Selke... As General Manager of the Montreal Canadiens, he presided over five consecutive Stanley Cup Winners a claim no other General Manager can make.

Since 1917, the N.H.L. has grown from a modest beginning of 4 teams to 21 teams in major cities in North America and Canada. But, always, the goal is winning the Stanley Cup, hockey's Holy Grail, It is the fight for that piece of silver which originally cost ten guineas in 1893 ($50. at that time) that makes the game of professional hockey the unique sport it is.