[NoSkillz]

1964-1965 SEASON


1964 NHL AMATEUR DRAFT

Once again, a four-round, 24 player draft was conducted and the top choice once again was a Montreal boy, this time 19 year old defender Serge Savard, who was nabbed by the New York Rangers.

Here is how the first round went:

FIRST ROUND -
1. New York Rangers - Serge Savard, Defence, Canada
2. Boston Bruins - Carol Vadnais, Defence, Canada
3. Detroit Red Wings - Rogie Vachon, Goaltender, Canada
4. Chicago Black Hawks - Jacques Lemaire, Centre, Canada
5. Montreal Canadiens - Jean Pronovost, Right Wing, Canada
6. Toronto Maple Leafs - Derek Sanderson, Centre, Canada

Other top prospects selected included Rosaire Paiement (8th overall to Boston) and Craig Patrick (13th overall to New York).


1964-65 NHL SEASON PREVIEW

Rules changes for the 1964-65 season included no body contact on face-offs and in the playoffs, each team was to have its substitute goaltender dressed in his regular uniform except for leg pads and body protector. All previous rules governing standby goaltenders were terminated.

The league also added a new trophy for awards night, with the Conn Smythe Trophy being presented to the outstanding player in the Stanley Cup playoffs each year.

Like last year, this new season opened with a major trade, as long-time Red Wings star Alex Delvecchio was moved to the New York Rangers for 31 year old winger Dean Prentice, 25 year old defender Dave Amadio and 28 year old winger Pat Hannigan. Delvecchio had played 14 seasons for Detroit, accumulating 645 points during that time. However, he was coming off his worst professional season in a decade, with only 34 points in 70 games and obviously the Wings were looking to get a bit younger. Prentice is the main piece coming back and he is no slouch, having amassed 502 points during his 12 seasons in New York and he was coming off a solid 60 point season in 63/64. Seems like a pretty fair deal.

The Stanley Cup favourites are the defending champion Chicago Black Hawks behind their powerhouse top line. Toronto and Montreal are considered to be the main challengers. The main dark horse pick once again is the Boston Bruins.

Top candidates in the scoring race are Stan Mikita and Bobby Hull from Chicago along with Detroit’s Gordie Howe.

The top defencemen in the league are considered to be Rangers blue liner Doug Harvey, Red Kelly and Chicago’s Pierre Pilote while the top goaltenders include Montreal’s Jacques Plante, Detroit’s Terry Sawchuk and Chicago’s Glenn Hall.

The notable 17 year olds entering this universe in 1963 include Ray Adduono, Robin Burns, Chris Evans, Lucien Grenier, Serge Bernier, Cliff Koroll, J.P. LeBlanc, Pete Mahovlich, Don McLeod, Gerry Meehan, Garry Monahan, Bob Murdoch, Bob Sicinski, Grant Erickson, Bill Fairbairn, Rick Pagnutti, Keith Magnuson, Don Marcotte, Walt McKechnie and Larry Pleau.