Canadiens1958
Registered User
That's not the point, Harvey wasn't small for that era and his size would be fine in any era. He simply wasn't stocky, which was Phil's claim. Currently I am exactly the same size as he was and no one would ever call me stocky. Bourque was stocky, Harvey and Lidstrom weren't.
Both you and Phil are drifting into fantasy.
Harvey played in the long shift era. He was also a multi-sport athlete FB, BB, boxing, soccer, track and field.His body was built for endurance.
Mid forties hockey saw the introduction of the center red line and the resulting offside rule change.
Harvey was one of the few defencemen who was capable of holding the inside of the offensive blue line. Others played midway to center and supported. Rarely pinched and did not fill the low scoring lanes into the slot/crease. Forwards roles.
During his career, hockey went from two - three lines, two d-man pairings. to three-four lines,two-three pairings.Rosters grew to allow scheduling growth from 50 to 76 games.
Bourque started at the tail end of the long shift era transitioning to the short shift game.Lidstrom was strictly a short shift era defenceman so they trained accordingly producing appropriate physiques. Standard four line three pairings hockey. Both were required to pinch and fill scoring lanes so their numbers reflect this.
Harvey was the best skater of the three. Played center until his last high school season.Bourque was not top five amongst defencemen. Lidstrom was high average.