1960–61 NHL season facts for kids
The 1960–61 NHL season was the 44th season for the National Hockey League (NHL). Six teams played 70 games each. This season was special because two teams from the United States played for the Stanley Cup championship. The Chicago Black Hawks won the Stanley Cup, beating the Detroit Red Wings four games to two. This was Chicago's first Stanley Cup win since 1938. They would not win it again until 2010.
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Regular Season Highlights
The regular season is where all the teams play many games to see who is the best. The top teams then move on to the playoffs.
Top Scorers of the Season
In the 1960–61 season, some players scored a lot of points! Points are counted by adding up goals and assists.
- Bernie Geoffrion from the Montreal Canadiens was the top scorer. He had 95 points (50 goals and 45 assists) in 64 games.
- Jean Beliveau, also from the Canadiens, was second with 90 points (32 goals and 58 assists) in 69 games.
- Frank Mahovlich of the Toronto Maple Leafs came in third with 84 points (48 goals and 36 assists) in 70 games.
Leading Goaltenders
Goaltenders are super important players who stop the puck from going into the net. Here are some of the best goalies from this season:
- Charlie Hodge from the Montreal Canadiens had a great season. He played 30 games and had a Goals Against Average (GAA) of 2.47. This means he let in about 2.47 goals per game.
- Johnny Bower of the Toronto Maple Leafs played 58 games with a GAA of 2.50. He also had 33 wins.
- Glenn Hall from the Chicago Black Hawks played all 70 games! His GAA was 2.51, and he had 6 shutouts (games where he let in zero goals).
Playoffs: The Race for the Stanley Cup
The playoffs are exciting knockout rounds after the regular season. Teams play against each other, and the winner moves on. The last team standing wins the Stanley Cup.
How the Playoffs Unfolded
In the first round, the Chicago Black Hawks played the Montreal Canadiens. The Black Hawks won this series 4 games to 2, which was a big upset!
In the other first-round series, the Detroit Red Wings played the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Red Wings won this series 4 games to 1.
Then, the Black Hawks and the Red Wings met in the Stanley Cup Final. The Chicago Black Hawks won the championship, beating the Detroit Red Wings 4 games to 2. It was a thrilling series!
NHL Awards and Honors
At the end of the season, the NHL gives out special awards to the best players and teams.
- The Prince of Wales Trophy went to the Montreal Canadiens. This award goes to the team that finishes first in the regular season.
- The Art Ross Trophy was won by Bernie Geoffrion of the Montreal Canadiens. This award is for the player who scores the most points in the regular season.
- The Calder Memorial Trophy was given to Dave Keon from the Toronto Maple Leafs. This award goes to the best rookie (first-year player) in the league.
- The Hart Memorial Trophy was also won by Bernie Geoffrion of the Montreal Canadiens. This is for the player judged most valuable to his team.
- The James Norris Memorial Trophy went to Doug Harvey of the Montreal Canadiens. This award is for the best defenceman.
- The Lady Byng Memorial Trophy was awarded to Red Kelly from the Toronto Maple Leafs. This award is for the player who shows the best sportsmanship and plays well.
- The Vezina Trophy was won by Johnny Bower of the Toronto Maple Leafs. This award goes to the best goaltender.
All-Star Teams
At the end of the season, the best players are chosen for the All-Star Teams. There's a First Team and a Second Team.
- First Team All-Stars:
* Goaltender: Johnny Bower (Toronto Maple Leafs) * Defencemen: Doug Harvey (Montreal Canadiens) and Marcel Pronovost (Detroit Red Wings) * Centre: Jean Beliveau (Montreal Canadiens) * Right Winger: Bernie Geoffrion (Montreal Canadiens) * Left Winger: Frank Mahovlich (Toronto Maple Leafs)
- Second Team All-Stars:
* Goaltender: Glenn Hall (Chicago Black Hawks) * Defencemen: Allan Stanley (Toronto Maple Leafs) and Pierre Pilote (Chicago Black Hawks) * Centre: Henri Richard (Montreal Canadiens) * Right Winger: Gordie Howe (Detroit Red Wings) * Left Winger: Dickie Moore (Montreal Canadiens)
