Old-Time Hockey Looks Good

I know you're a regular reader of this blog, so I don't really have to tell you how happy old hockey photos make me. The history of the game is something that is often forgotten with all the glamor and glitz and bright lights of today's game. We forget that the guys who blazed a path to what the NHL has become today were paid a pittance compared to the players today, and often had to work a second job in the off-season to make ends meet. Paul Richard Cook, a reader of Uni Watch, submitted a link to the Boston Public Library's Flikr account on Wednesday, and it contained some of the most gorgeous pictures of the Bruins ever seen.

We'll start with this image of Win Green, the Boston Bruins' trainer. Green was not only the medical man, as seen by his collection of bottles and tools on the table, but he also was responsible for equipment repairs and upkeep. He'd repair holes in sweaters, sharpen skates, and look after the equipment the players wore. Like other trainers of his time, Green also looked after the Boston Braves when hockey was in its off-season! If you look closely in the picture, though, you can see his Bruins' sweater has something written below it: World's Champions - 1928-29! Pretty cool, right?

The man of the day in that era was defenceman Eddie Shore. Boston's tough, scoring blueliner was one of the biggest stars in the NHL in the late-1920s and early-1930s, and here's a great shot of him getting into a the ice shower hockey pose. The thing that I noticed in that picture, though? Check out the guy on the right in the background wearing a tanktop! It was a lot colder in the rinks back then, so whoever that is must have ice in his veins!

In a rare pre-game photo, you can see the Bruins and the Montreal Maroons standing for what appears to be the pre-game anthem. I'm going to assume it's the American national anthem being played since some fans in the image have their hats over their hearts. I think it's pretty cool to see all 11 Bruins and all 11 Maroons at center ice together before they hammer away on one another. And note the two referees! Two referees were the standard until the 1938-39 season when the two referees were replaced by one referee and one linesman.

Here's a great picture of the Bruins battling against the Toronto Maple Leafs in NHL action. While it seems strange not to see ads on the boards, I was struck by the absence of the lines and face-off circles on the ice! There's not even a crease for the goalie to protect!

Here's a picture of Ray Getliffe putting his Bruins sweater on before a game. While there isn't much out of the ordinary here, do you know whose locker is to Getliffe's right? I'm guessing that Eddie Shore's locker. How do I know? Shore was one of the first men to wear a helmet in the NHL, and that one atop the locker looks a lot like Shore's chosen helmet. If so, that would mean this photo was taken after 1931-32 as that was the season that Shore first donned the headgear. Reportedly, the date of the photo was 1938. My skills of deduction shouldn't be wasted!

You're welcome to search through the rest of the pictures, and I highly recommend that you do. These are some excellent photos, and I have to commend Paul Richard Cook for finding them and bringing them to my attention!

MO' BRO: The final Mo' Bro is the other half of the battle for moustache supremacy as we look at George Parros' contribution to the battle. As stated all month, the roster for the Mo' Bro All-Star squad included Mike Gartner, Wendel Clark, Dirk Graham, Grant Fuhr, Dennis Maruk, Larry Robinson, Mike Ramsey, Derek Sanderson, Lanny McDonald, Bryan Trottier, Dave Babych, Dave Schultz, Rod Langway, Jamie Macoun, Harold Snepsts, Dave Tippett, Michel Goulet, Paul MacLean, Mike McPhee, Mike Bullard, Bob Murdoch, Rejean Lemelin, Pat Burns, Joel Quenneville, Bill McCreary, Don VanMassenhoven, the NJ Devil, and Jim "Bearcat" Murray. We profiled Mike Brown yesterday as he and George Parros are in an epic battle for moustache supremacy, so let's take a look at George Parros on this final day of Nomveber!

George Parros is probably one of the more recognizable moustachioed men in the NHL right now. After having played the last six seasons in Anaheim, Parros agreed to a two-year deal with the Florida Panthers this past off-season. Parros' 'stache days actually started when he was much younger as he and his brother would have moustache-growing competitions! Since playing in Anaheim, Parros started a clothing line called "Stache Gear" where proceeds from sales goes to The Garth Brooks Teammates For Kids Foundation. A graduate of Princeton, the scrappy winger was part of the 2007 Anaheim Ducks team that won the Stanley Cup! On top of it all, not only does Parros participate in the Movember work, but he gives his time and energy to a vast number of great causes as well.

While Parros' 'stache may have flown east this off-season, his Movember team is doing well! Team ParrosMos has raised $7331 to date! Well done, George Parros, on getting some great cash in to have your team sit 231st out of 14758 US teams! Karl Alzner has raised $1,387 alone! If you want to get in on the action, head over to the Movember page and get registered so your 'stache can stand amongst these great 'staches! Today's the last day to help out during the Movember month!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!