1946-47 Montreal Hockey

[Canadiens1958]

Short video detailing youth amateur hockey and the NHL in Montreal during the winter of 1946-47.

Procedures and basics are provided. NHL segment interesting with clips of Bill Durnan and Maurice Richard.

Click to read more...

 

[BadgerBruce]

That’s a great short film. Lots of different aspects worthy of comment, but what struck me immediately was the estimated number of youth players in Montreal (25,000) and the groups that organized them (schools and churches). Thanks for sharing.

 

[Canadiens1958]

That’s a great short film. Lots of different aspects worthy of comment, but what struck me immediately was the estimated number of youth players in Montreal (25,000) and the groups that organized them (schools and churches). Thanks for sharing.

Significant is that we have visual confirmation of data and hearsay accumulated over the years.

Also the estimated numbers are for the City of Montreal. At that time the Island of Montreal included 50+ small cities, many affluent - Westmount, Outremont, Town of Mont Royal plus hockey hot beds like Verdun and various West Island,east end municipalities.Their numbers are not included.

 

[BobbyAwe]

Did he say that Richard was "NOT a rough player?"

 

[mbhhofr]

Notice that Bill Durnan has the C for captain . He was the last NHL goalie to wear the C. The rule was changed because they didn't want the goalie to delay the game by coming out and questioning the Referee.

 

[Michael Farkas]

Great video, thanks for posting.

Still a lot of stationary defensemen, though forward passing had been liberalized for a generation and they had seen what Eddie Shore could do (as he had been retired for seven years or whatever...even youth in 1947 still played it physical, but without much mobility...I understand some old school guys hanging around from how they were taught as youngsters, there were some significant rule changes made from 1929 to 1943...now I kind of question whether or not it was rule changes or coaching advent that actually brought defensemen into the play more...

Any thoughts C1958 or @mbhhofr or others that might have hand in that knowledge from that time...?

 

[Canadiens1958]

Great video, thanks for posting.

Still a lot of stationary defensemen, though forward passing had been liberalized for a generation and they had seen what Eddie Shore could do (as he had been retired for seven years or whatever...even youth in 1947 still played it physical, but without much mobility...I understand some old school guys hanging around from how they were taught as youngsters, there were some significant rule changes made from 1929 to 1943...now I kind of question whether or not it was rule changes or coaching advent that actually brought defensemen into the play more...

Any thoughts C1958 or @mbhhofr or others that might have hand in that knowledge from that time...?

Did you ever see clips or read about Eddie Shore's ability to skate backwards? No and that explains the lack of mobility of defencemen.

Red Line, introduced in 1943,created two zone forward passing. End boards to the Red Line and between the Blue Lines so suddenly defencemen had to improve their skating. Dynasty Leafs were the first to change bringing in rookie d-men for 1946-47.

1945-46 NHL and CAHA harmonized their rule book so the transition from amateur to pro became easier.

Coaching. WWII reduced the number of amateur and minor pro coaching jobs. Yet a demand was created for community work after school.Fathers at war, mothers working in the war effort. Between school and supper youngsters needed supervision. So hockey coaches drifted into community centers with very positive results for youth hockey.

 

[Killion]

Did you ever see clips or read about Eddie Shore's ability to skate backwards? No and that explains the lack of mobility of defencemen.

Red Line, introduced in 1943,created two zone forward passing. End boards to the Red Line and between the Blue Lines so suddenly defencemen had to improve their skating. Dynasty Leafs were the first to change bringing in rookie d-men for 1946-47.

There were parallel tracks, slightly different philosophies, approaches to the game between Upper Canada & the West, Lower Canada & Quebec in terms of player development, absolutely. The former you had some early Rushing Defencemen, often times converted Forwards to Defence, whereas in the case of the latter Defenders much more stationary, the speed & artistry all up-front though in-built, as was the case in Upper Canada & the West, forwards who were defensively responsible. During this period, a real hot house effect in Quebec amongst the goaltending fraternity, innovation of "wandering" (Plante et al) in "assisting" their less than mobile Defencemen. Playing the puck. Borrowed, bit of a throwback to the age of Joe Hall & the old Quebec Bulldogs but with some twists of course.

Plante a "Wanderer" as a result of playing with Defenceman who not only couldnt skate backwards, they couldnt turn to their off naturally strong skating side without collapsing, face plant, yard sale, BREAKAWAY, He Shoots, He Scores. From there it just grew, morphed.... "Fast Eddie" Giacomin, an outlier if ever there was one (overlooked as an amateur, stove blows up in his face causing 2nd & 3rd degree burns etc etc etc) , from Industrial Hockey in Sudbury to a walk-on in the EHL & the NHL, another guy who could skate, Roamer. Usurped, displaced one time Leafs & Hab prospect Cesare Maniago in NY (Emile Francis realizing this weakness & bringing in Giacomin with whom he was mightily impressed, Francis knowing a thing or 3 about the game, Goaltending). Adaptation, being aggressive, name of the game. From the crease out. This was critical, crucial to the development of the game....

Wild Bill Durnan. Dr. Strangeglove. He too a Happy Wanderer on occasion, tactically, working with, in total unison with his lugubrious Defenders. The "Flying" in the "Flying Frenchmen" all up-front, in your face. Stop things before they get started with a mobile Goalie whereas in Upper Canada & Western Canada at the Minor Pro & Junior/Senior levels, mobility on Defense encouraged more dependent however on the organization & its braintrust. Regardless, there is a reason why the Quebec School of Goaltending is so much more venerated and this aspect but one of several responsible for it being so... and if you drill down even further even within Quebec and its various regions there you will find other schools of thought, styles of play. Some with an emphasis on skating skills on the backend, less reliance on Goaltender mobility, integration of Offensive Defencemen with their Offensive counterparts on the Wings, Center. Always made for interesting opponents if like me you were from Southern Ontario.... and of course if we couldnt beat you boys through adaptation & skill... more than happy to do so with our sticks, fists..... Uh? ... Ya, you heard me Big Boy. Bring it.