1961/62 Montreal Forum Program

One of my more recent acquisitions is this beautiful Montreal Canadiens program. As a diehard Maple Leaf fan and collector, I admit I have very few Canadiens items in my collection, but this cover was just too nice to pass up. The program is from opening night of the 1961/62 season at the Forum. It pictures the Habs and the Maple Leafs on the cover in a great painting by renowned hockey artist, Tex Coulter. Tex was prolific in creating artwork for programs, magazines and calendars. The detail of the cover is below.
Although the players shown are not named in the program, it is easy enough to name them all through their numbers and/or faces. The Canadien #16 is of course Henri Richard. The sprawling Leaf at the top is Tim Horton, the Leaf with the "A" on the jersey is Allan Stanley and the Leaf #9 is Dick Duff. The goaltender #1 is most likely Johnny Bower. Assuming the painting is from a photo taken during the previous season (1960/61) then it is possible the goalie is Cesare Maniago or Gerry McNamara who played 7 and 5 games respectively that season. This of course was the era when goalies would share the jersey #1, depending on who was playing that day.
The actual game the program was issued October 14, 1961 when the New York Rangers kicked off Montreal's season. The Habs would win the game 3-1 with the "Pocket Rocket" Richard tallying the first two goals of the year. Below is a photo of the game from the Montreal Gazette, Oct 16, 1961.

The Canadiens dominated the league with 98 points in 70 games in 61/62 but would fall to Chicago in the semi-finals. The Cup winners in 1962...the other team pictured on the cover of the program, the Maple Leafs.



Comments

Commishbob said…
These programs you've posted over the last months have been terrific! Really enjoy seeing them. 1961-62 *I think* is the season I saw my first live NHL game. Leafs and Rangers at the Old Madison Square Garden. Hooked me for a lifetime!
January 21, 2020 at 9:39 AM
Nitzy said…
Fantastic, glad you like! Have you checked out my Maple Leafs Programme Project where I'm trying to collect and post at least one program from every year of Maple Leaf Gardens? The link is on the sidebar.
January 21, 2020 at 7:13 PM
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