Chapter 8: The Amerks almost made it, till the Canadians came knocking.
Fred Hunt's first season as head coach is a time of massive changes. Knowing that he wanted a young team, veterans like Paul Gladu and Jim McFadden were traded for newer talent. Those included were J. C. Tremblay and Jack McIntyre who called up some of his Flyers players like Bob Solinger and goalie Don Rigazio to help Lorne “Gump” Worsley in the net. Despite some changes in the AHL team, the St. Louis Flyers still had forward Eddie Shack who did well the last three seasons for the team. Both the Amerks and Flyers were looking for a championship run.
Montreal was dealing with some sad news, the legend himself was retiring after the season. Maurice Richard announced that due to the injuries from the last several seasons finally build-up and felt he has done all. He would play this season but was limited on the ice.
NHL 1959-60 Regular Season:
Final Standings:
- Montreal Canadiens
- Cleveland Barons
- Chicago Black Hawks
- Detroit Red Wings
- St. Louis Americans
- Boston Bruins
- New York Rangers
- Toronto Maple Leafs
St. Louis's first season under Fred Hunt was a moderate success for the team. Despite failing to reach the playoffs the team was showing improvements by season end. They would have made it in but Detroit managed to sneak past them with a 10-game winning streak over St. Louis's 7-game streak. They would lose their last game to Richards Montreal Canadiens, officially ending their season with another no postseason.
Cleveland was knocked off from the first place by Montreal in early March and Montreal would keep first by season end. The Barons were working towards another cup run even though a last-minute injury struck them to Willie O’Ree and two of their top defensemen.
NHL Playoffs:
Detroit def. Cleveland (4-2)
Montreal def. Chicago (4-0)
NHL Stanley Cup Finals:
Detroit defeated Montreal (4-3)
NHL Stanley Cup Champions:
Detroit Red Wings
NHL Awards:
Prince of Wales Trophy: Montreal Canadiens
Art Ross Trophy: Bobby Hull (Chicago)
Calder Memorial Trophy: Bill Hay (Chicago)
Hart Trophy: Maurice Richard (Montreal)
James Norris Memorial Trophy: Doug Harvey (Montreal)
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy: J. C. Tremblay (St. Louis)
Vezina Trophy: Jacques Plante (Montreal)
Despite losing in the finals at Detroit, Maurice Richard and the Canadiens were still given a hero’s welcome by the City of Montreal. Montreal would still be considered a powerhouse in the NHL but with The Rocket retired, it will be a while before they return to greatness. Meanwhile, NHL President Clarance Campbell has been in talks with the Western Hockey League officials about a possible merger. While the WHL was worried about the smaller clubs will be thrown aside to bigger market teams like the Los Angeles Blades and San Francisco Seals. Clarence would reassure them that they will be welcomed in. Even if they didn’t they will have homes in the AHL as the American Hockey League was looking to expand westward.
Knowing that the WHL couldn’t compete with the NHL but could benefit from the growth and more national television time on CBS, agreed and joined forces. The WHL will officially be merged into the NHL by the 1962-63 season at the latest.
Teams like the Los Angeles Blades, San Francisco Seals, Seattle Totems, Vancouver Canucks, and Denver Centennials (Formally the Victoria Cougars) were looking to join while Portland and Spokane were a bit worried. Edmonton, meanwhile, facing payment issues and the loss of the lease to the Edmonton Gardens announced they would fold. A junior hockey club bearing the same name will continue the team name then onward.
WHL 1959-60 Final Standings:
- Los Angeles Blades
- Seattle Totems
- San Francisco Seals (Won League Championship)
- Denver Centennials
- Portland Buckaroos
- Vancouver Canucks
- Spokane Comets
- Edmonton Oil Kings
(Any Questions or Comments would be nice. Glad I finally managed to get this one out, hope it looks good. Maybe now I can get back into this series.) 
