Leafs History Help

[malskelton]

Hi all – I really need some help

I haven’t been on the boards for such a long time – mainly because I haven’t been collecting cards for a while ( indeed I unfortunately had to sell a couple of cards to fund a motorbike purchase ) but I have been active in my other interest of creating custom cards for autographs

I’m currently working on producing cards for former Leafs players and on the reverse I’d like to put the date and opponents for the player’s Leafs debut …. And this is why I need help

For anyone who made their Leafs debut after 1987 I’ve got it covered with the wonderful hockey-reference website which has been invaluable …. But older players is a complete nightmare

I’m trying to get a card made for Red Kelly and Johnny Bower

I’ve found their debut year but that’s it – would anyone be able to help me locate the debut date and opponents for these two Leafs greats

If anyone knows please send me a PM

Your help would be gratefully accepted

Mal Skelton

 

[chihawk19]

For Red Kelly:

He played in all 60 games in his rookie year, so his debut would have been against Chicago on 10/15/1947 according to this

For Johnny Bower:

He played in all 70 games in his rookie year, so his debut would have been against Detroit on 10/8/1953 according to this

 

[malskelton]

For Red Kelly:

He played in all 60 games in his rookie year, so his debut would have been against Chicago on 10/15/1947 according to this

For Johnny Bower:

He played in all 70 games in his rookie year, so his debut would have been against Detroit on 10/8/1953 according to this

Unfortunately both of them started in the NHL with other teams and it's their first game as Leafs I'm after

Mal Skelton

 

[carlyazfan]

PM sent regarding Bower. Still working on Red Kelly for you. He played 18 games for the Leafs in 1959-60; might be difficult to find stats for which game was the first. Bower was easier; played in goal the first game of the 1958-59 season. Stay tuned.

Dave.

 

[carlyazfan]

Red scored 6 goals for the Wings before moving to the Leafs. He first shows up in a scoring summary for the Leafs for February 20th, 1960 (Game 57 of the 70 played that year), scoring goal number 7 for the year. He went on to score 6 for the Leafs in the 18 games he played for them. It looks like he was traded to the Leafs on February 10th.

Dave.

 

[kmitchel]

http://www.thehockeynews.com/news/article/red-kellys-high-road-to-redemption

On Feb. 10, 1960, Kelly made his Toronto debut, against Montreal, but not as a defenseman as he’d starred for a dozen years in Detroit. Instead, coach Punch Imlach put him at center. Though the Leafs lost, Imlach realized his instincts about putting Kelly up front were on target. The trick was finding ideal linemates.

 

[malskelton]

Thank you so much for all your help - it has been invaluable

Thank you - I'll post my completed / signed cards on here when they come back

Mal Skelton