With the demise of the Brooklyn Americans in 1947, the National Hockey League was reduced to franchises in Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Montreal, New York and Toronto. These teams became known collectively as the "original six." The NHL reteined this struture until 1967 when it expanded to 12 teams. This 20-year period - in particular, the period between 1957 and 1967 - has become known as hockey's "golden era." These years saw some of the greatest players of the game in their price: Gordie Howe, Maurice "The Rocket" Richard, Terry Sawchuk, Bobby Hull and many others. The competition was fierce, the hockey unparalleled in both skill and aggressiveness, and the loyalties forged between players, fans and teams intense. It was a time before modern-day stardom had injected a business-first mentality into the world of professional sport. Playing for the love of the game still existed as the prime motivation for most players.
About the Author:
Mike Leonetti is a hockey writer whose works include Shooting for Glory (with Paul Henderson), the ever-popular Hockey Year Calendar and The "Toronto Maple Leafs" Trivia Book.