Bill White and Dale Rolfe

[Canadiens1958]

The 1967 expansion provided Bill White and Dale Rolfe with an opportunity to play in the NHL. Both were tall, lanky defensemen whose style did not fit the NHL prototype of a sturdy belter but with the success experienced by a young Jacques Laperriere, the expansion Los Angeles Kings took a chance and with Red Kelly coaching were rewarded with two excellent NHL caliber defensemen.

Both played their junior hockey in the OHA in the late 1950's Rolfe with Barrie, brief tryout with the Bruins, White with the Marlies, then were buried in the AHL.

Neither was especially physical but had great reach and were very adept at covering the passing and shooting lanes. Today defensemen with similir physical attributes and styles are commonplace in the NHL replacing the short, compact belters like Bobby Baun, Leo Boivin to name a few.

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[Axxellien]

Bill White:

Bill White, along with Pat Stapleton formed one of the most efficient, most spectacular Defensive pairings ever. Innovators, very mobile..Dale Rolfe i remember from his long & respected tenure in NYC..All 3 should have broken in the NHL Years before!

 

[Axxellien]

Bill White & Dale Rolfe:

Both were 1960`s proponents of tactical mobility...Mystifying that the NHL did not take note before!! Especially Bruins, Rangers & Hawks!