Winnipeg Jets in Czechoslovakia, 1975

My buddy Greg sent me this great shot of the Winnipeg Jets playing the Czechoslovakian National team. His dad is Norm Beaudin, pictured in the foreground. The game was during the Jets 1975 training camp which took place in Europe that season. The Czech National squad would beat the Jets by scores of 6-1 (on Sept. 25) and 3-1 (on Sept. 26). Both Jets goals were scored by Anders Hedberg. Also pictured are Jets #19 Mats Lindh and #17 Bill Lesuk. I'm not positive on the Czechoslovakian players shown, but #9 is likely Miroslav Dvorak who would go on to play three seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers in the early 1980's. The goaltender is probably either Vladimir Dzurilla or Jiri Holocek.
Despite not fairing well against the Czechs, Winnipeg would go on to have a terrific season in the WHA. They finished first in the Canadian Division with 106 points (52-27-2) and romp through the playoffs with a record of 12-1 on the way to the Avco Cup. For Beaudin himself, it was his final season of pro hockey in North America and he scored 16 goals and 47 points. The next two years he was player/coach for the Lagnau Tigers of the Swiss League before retiring in 1978.

Norm Beaudin was the first player signed by the WHA Winnipeg Jets back in the summer of 1972, even before the monumental signing of Bobby Hull. Beaudin had scored 33 goals in 1971/72 with the AHL's Cleveland Barons, and had averaged over 30 goals in the AHL the previous four years. That inaugural season of the WHA in 1972/73 would see Beaudin score 103 points playing on a line with Hull and Christian Bordeleau. All three scored 100 points, the first time in professional hockey history that occurred. The dynamic trio were dubbed, The Luxury Line. 
Beaudin was of course also an original member of the St. Louis Blues back in October 1967. He was in the franchise's opening night lineup and played 13 games that season for the Blues. His one and only NHL goal proved to be rather historic. On Saturday, October 28, 1967 Beaudin scored at the Montreal Forum in a 4-1 loss to the Habs. His goal against Rogie Vachon at 6:48 of the 1st period was the very first goal scored by an expansion team player at the historic Forum. Pretty cool distinction. 
As an aside, here's a clip from just yesterday of Norm himself beating me in net with some still slick moves. Greg and Norm live a few blocks from me in North Vancouver and we often hook up for a little ball hockey or a local craft beer.

https://t.co/y3DOfhUciM


Sept 25, 1975

Sept 26, 1975

Comments

ALEX said…
Hi. I have the full Winnipeg Jets team signatures that played against the Czechs on the 26 September 1975 in an autograph album. Happy to email pictures if of interest. All the best, Alex
January 9, 2024 at 11:10 AM
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