1960-61
OFF-SEASON
Maurice Richard has decided to retire from the game. The 38 year old leaves the sport as the NHL's all-time leader in goals (595), points (1173) and games played (1062). Richard made his debut in 1942-43 at the age of 21 and was named the rookie of year after scoring 26 goals and 53 points in 41 games. He would lead the league in points on 4 occassions, be an 8-time first team all-star and win 2 Conn Smythe Trophy's but he never claimed the Hart as regular season MVP. Richard would win 10 Stanley Cups and play 162 post-season games, scoring 79 goals and 155 points. He had 4 goals and an assist in 11 playoff games last year.
Long-time Boston Bruin Fern Flaman also retired. The 33 year old defenseman played 849 career NHL games, scored 108 goals and 346 points. As did Bert Olmstead, who played 893 games and amassed 385 points with the Chicago Black Hawks.
The big off-season trade was Toronto's decision to deal 31 year old centre Fleming Mackell to the New York Rangers in exchange for 28 year old goaltender Don Simmons. Mackell has played 12 seasons for Toronto including last year when he had 11 goals and 45 points in 57 games. He was rookie of the year in 1949-50 and won a Conn Smythe Trophy in 1954. Mackell has won 4 Stanley Cups. Simmons has only played in 7 career NHL games and made his debut with Boston 3 years ago. He is expected to replace Sugar Jim Henry as the backup to Terry Sawchuk in Toronto. The Leafs also have 21 year old Cesare Maniago and 19 year old Gerry Cheevers in their organization.
Newcomers to the league this year include Pat Quinn, Pit Martin and Paul Henderson with Detroit. Also Daw Awrey and Ted Green join Boston, Montreal adds Terry Harper and Chicago brings in Ed Van Impe.
REGULAR SEASON
Behind a huge season from Jean Beliveau the Montreal Canadiens had an easy time finishing first in the regular season yet again. However, the Habs dynasty that has won 5 Cups in the past six year may be nearing the end as young talent is starting to pop up on other teams. Chicago may still be a couple of years away but Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita both finished in the top 10 in league scoring. Toronto is retooling with youngsters like Frank Mahovlich and Dave Keon. Even the consistently awful New York Rangers finally have a ray of hope with the addition of young rookies Jean Ratelle and Rod Gilbert.
Gordie Howe had a 5 goal game in Detroit's 10-2 win over Montreal on January 27th. Howe also picked up an assist in the contest while linemate Alex Delvecchio finished one shy of the NHL record for assists in the game with 5 helpers.
Jean Beliveau had a 19 game point streak during the season. It is a far cry from Maurice Richard's record 44 game point streak set in 1943-44 but still the second longest in league history.
Code:
GP W L T PTS
Montreal Canadiens 70 47 17 6 100
Toronto Maple Leafs 70 40 22 8 88
Detroit Red Wings 70 29 32 9 67
Chicago Black Hawks 70 29 35 6 64
Boston Bruins 70 25 37 8 58
New York Rangers 70 19 46 5 43
SCORING LEADERS TEAM GP G A PTS
Jean Beliveau MON 70 42 66 108
Henri Richard MON 70 40 38 78
Bobby Hull CHI 70 31 46 77
Don McKenney BOS 69 28 47 75
Ron Stewart TOR 70 32 42 74
Alex Delvecchio DET 67 27 47 74
Gordie Howe DET 70 35 38 73
Stan Mikita CHI 59 25 46 71
Frank Mahovlich TOR 70 31 38 69
Dean Prentice BOS 70 23 43 66
PLAYOFFS
The Chicago Black Hawks won a playoff series for the first time in sim history as they upset Detroit in 5 games. Stan Mikita (3-8-11) and Bobby Hull (5-5-10) led the Hawks to the win. Chicago will meet Montreal in the finals after the Canadiens swept Toronto 4 straight in the other semi-final. 22 year old winger Gilles Tremblay scored 6 goals in the four games to pace the Montreal offense.
Chicago's first ever Stanley Cup final game did not go well as the Hawks were outshot 42-10 and only the tremendous goaltending of Ed Johnston in the Black Hawks net kept the score a respectable 2-0 Montreal. Dickie Moore set up both Montreal goals - one by Bernie Geoffrion and the other from defenseman Jean-Guy Talbot.
Johnston did not have the magic in Game Two as Montreal pounded Chicago 7-2 behind 4 goals from Claude Provost and a five point night from Jean Beliveau.
Game Three ended 6-2 Montreal as Beliveau had 4 more assists giving him 9 points in the past two games. Henri Richard scored twice for Montreal while Phil Goyette and Don Marshall each had 2 points.
One of the most lobsided finals in history comes to an end as Montreal takes Game Four by a 4-1 score. Ralph Backstrom scores twice for the Habs with Henri Richard and Doug Harvey adding singles.
With 16 points in 7 games Jean Beliveau is named the winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. Stan Mikita finished second in scoring with 14 points while Bobby Hull had 13. The playoff MVP award for Beliveau was his second straight and he becomes the first 3 time winner of the award.
Other Award winners:
HART TROPHY: Jean Beliveau Montreal (70GP 42-66-108)
VEZINA TROPHY: Jacques Plante Montreal (47-17-6, 2.03)
NORRIS TROPHY: Tom Johnson Montreal (70GP 8-55-63)
ART ROSS TROPHY: Jean Beliveau Montreal (70GP 42-66-108)
CALDER TROPHY: Dave Keon Toronto (62GP 7-11-18)
The game does not select the all-star team but I will start naming first and second team all-stars
Code:
POS FIRST TEAM SECOND TEAM
G Terry Sawchuk Toronto Jacques Plante Montreal
D Tom Johnson Montreal Bill Gadsby Chicago
D Red Kelly Toronto Pierre Pilote Chicago
C Jean Beliveau Montreal Gordie Howe Detroit
LW Bobby Hull Chicago Donnie Marshall Montreal
RW Henri Richard Montreal Alex Delvecchio Detroit