Thousands of hockey fans lined the streets of Montreal to cheer their beloved Montreal Canadiens yesterday at the Stanley Cup victory parade.  On a picture-perfect sunny May morning, the Canadiens paraded in open convertibles.

Reception at city hall

The parade wound its way from The Forum to city hall for a reception and then back to the arena.  Spectators left their seats along the eight-mile route to approach the cars and shake hands with their heroes.

The 13 convertibles followed the lead float, which carried the Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe Trophy, along with a 30-piece fireman’s band.  Six police motorcycles led the procession.  Each convertible carried two players.

Riding in the first convertible were Jean Beliveau and Bobby Rousseau.  Bringing up the rear were coach Toe Blake, general manager Sammy Pollock and president David Molson.

Toe Blake, left, David Molson, centre and Sam Pollock.

When the procession arrived at city hall, both trophies were taken into the mayor’s office.  The team was invited to sign the city’s Golden Book.

Drapeau wants two more

Mayor Jean Drapeau praised the team and expressed his wishes that the team keep the Cup until 1967, when Montreal hosts the world fair.

Montreal mayor Jean Drapeau

Drapeau said in 1967 “we can give you an absolutely tremendous reception right on the fair-site in honour of three straight Stanley Cup wins.

“This is how the prestige of a big city is well established, when in all walks of life we have champions, nothing but the best.

“Accept our testimony of gratitude. In the name of my fellow Montrealers and all Canadians from sea to sea, I thank you for the great feeling of pride you have given us.”

Coach Blake thanked his club for “giving me more thrills than any other team I’ve ever coached.”

A humorous incident took place while the team was inside city hall.  A hearse stopped in front of the building.  The driver rolled down his window and shouted to the crowd, “I’ve got the Black Hawks in the back!”

Campbell’s “only English” draws protest

National Hockey League president Clarence Campbell has drawn the ire of the St. Jean Baptiste Society of Nicolet, Quebec for his exclusive use of the English language during his presentation of the Stanley Cup to the Montreal Canadiens after their seventh game win over the Chicago Black Hawks last Saturday night.

The society sent a telegram to the NHL objecting to what it called Campbell’s “ignorance” of the French language.

Clarence Campbell presented the Stanley Cup to the Canadiens in English only.

Mr. Campbell commented that there was nothing he would like better than to be able to speak French.

“I am not sufficiently fluent to speak French in public, but all my sympathies are toward every cordial relation possible with my French friends.”

During Campbell’s remarks he was interrupted many times by hooting and jeers.  The uproar apparently stemmed from the incident 10 years ago in which he suspended Canadiens superstar Maurice Richard for the 1955 playoffs.

Flyers take Memorial Cup opener

The Niagara Falls Flyers drew first blood in the best-of-seven Memorial Cup final against the Edmonton Oil Kings last night with a 3-2 win in Edmonton.

Flyer goal scorers were Rosaire Paiement, Bud Debrody and Derek Sanderson.  Rookies Ross Perkins and Reid Simpson found the range for the Oil Kings.

Derek Sanderson

The Flyers were easily the better skating team and far more organized than Edmonton.  They also displayed superior penalty killing ability, and it was needed as they took nine of the 13 penalties called in the game.

The score actually was flattering for the Oil Kings.  The Flyers were in command all the way and although they only won by one goal, the result never seemed to be in doubt.

Wayne Stephenson was the Edmonton goalie, with regular netminder Gary Simmons sidelined with a knee injury.  Simmons decided on his own that the knee had not healed sufficiently to give him the ability to perform at the top of his game.

Bernie Parent played a solid game in goal for Niagara Falls.  He faced only 18 shots, while Stephenson handled 20.

Former netminder says goalies overrated

Former National Hockey League goalkeeper Bill Beveridge said yesterday that the importance of goaltenders in the NHL is vastly overrated.  He says that those who believe goalies are as important to their hockey clubs are as pitchers are to baseball teams are badly mistaken.

Bill Beveridge while with the New York Rangers in 1943.

Beveridge says that goalies are only 20% responsible for the success of their teams.  He said that if Boston Bruins rookie goalie Jack Norris had played for the Toronto Maple Leafs last season, instead of Johnny Bower and Terry Sawchuk, the Leafs would have given up the same number of goals on the season – 173.

He also said that if Bower and Sawchuk had played for the Bruins, they would have given up a number similar to the 253 that the Bruins surrendered.  The difference, he said, was the wonderful Toronto defence.

“There’s very little difference between goalies once they get into the NHL,” explained the 55-year-old real estate dealer from Manotick, Ontario.

Beveridge broke into the NHL with the Detroit Cougars in 1929.  He also played for the Ottawa Senators, St. Louis Eagles,  Montreal Maroons and New York Rangers.  He allowed 879 goals in 297 NHL games.  He was the goalie for the last game played by the St. Louis Eagles franchise.

Red Wings raise ticket prices

The Detroit Red Wings announced yesterday a new ticket price structure for the Olympia Stadium for the 1965-66 season.

Top price will be $5 for the promenade.  Others will cost $4.50 for the arena, $3 for the mezzanine and $2.50 for the balcony seats.  The mezzanine seats are being upholstered.

Red Wings business manager Lincoln Cavalleri said that the price increase was due to a $1.5M expansion and other rising costs.