The 1955–56 NHL season was the 39th season of the National Hockey League (NHL) which lasted from October 6, 1955 to April 10, 1956 where 6 teams each played 70 games.
The Montreal Canadiens were the Stanley Cup champions as they beat the Detroit Red Wings four games to one in the best-of-seven final series.
League Business[]
At a governors' meeting in December, a discussion took place concerning the uniforms worn by officials. It was contended that the present orange and black uniforms were confusing to players and fans, particularly when red uniforms are worn by either of the participating teams.
Furthermore, it was pointed out that the existing uniforms showed up black on television. It was unanimously agreed that officials' uniforms should be changed to black and white vertical stripes. The black and white uniforms were first worn on December 29, 1955.
With Montreal frequently racking up two or three goals on any one power play, NHL President Clarence Campbell said he'd like the penalty rule revised to a penalized player returning to the ice when a power play goal is scored on a minor penalty. The Canadiens were the lone club to vote against the new legislation.
Regular Season[]
The streak of seven straight seasons at the top of the NHL held by the Detroit Red Wings' dynasty came to an end as the Montreal Canadiens were tops. The Canadiens set a new record for wins in a season with 45. The Canadiens had a new coach, their one-time great former All-Star left-winger, Hector "Toe" Blake.
Dick Irvin (formerly the coach in Montreal, whom Habs' GM Frank Selke Sr. found a little truculent) took over as coach in Chicago, but could not get them out of the cellar, though they did improve. It was sort of a homecoming for Irvin as he started his coaching career with Chicago in 1930.
Awards[]
| Prince of Wales Trophy: (Regular season champion) |
Montreal Canadiens |
| Art Ross Trophy: (Top scorer) |
Jean Beliveau, Montreal Canadiens |
| Calder Memorial Trophy: (Best first-year player) |
Glenn Hall, Detroit Red Wings |
| Hart Trophy: (Most valuable player) |
Jean Beliveau, Montreal Canadiens |
| James Norris Memorial Trophy: (Best defenceman) |
Doug Harvey, Montreal Canadiens |
| Lady Byng Memorial Trophy: (Excellence and sportsmanship) |
Earl Reibel, Detroit Red Wings |
| Vezina Trophy: (Goaltender of team with the best goals-against average) |
Jacques Plante, Montreal Canadiens |
All-Star teams[]
| First team | Position | Second team |
|---|---|---|
| Jacques Plante, Montreal Canadiens | G | Glenn Hall, Detroit Red Wings |
| Doug Harvey, Montreal Canadiens | D | Red Kelly, Detroit Red Wings |
| Bill Gadsby, New York Rangers | D | Tom Johnson, Montreal Canadiens |
| Jean Beliveau, Montreal Canadiens | C | Tod Sloan, Toronto Maple Leafs |
| Maurice Richard, Montreal Canadiens | RW | Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings |
| Ted Lindsay, Detroit Red Wings | LW | Bert Olmstead, Montreal Canadiens |
Player Statistics[]
Scoring leaders[]
(Note: GP = Games played, G = Goals, A = Assists, PTS = Points, PIM = Penalties in minutes)
| Player | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jean Beliveau | Montreal Canadiens | 70 | 47 | 41 | 88 | 143 |
| Gordie Howe | Detroit Red Wings | 70 | 38 | 41 | 79 | 100 |
| Maurice Richard | Montreal Canadiens | 70 | 38 | 33 | 71 | 89 |
| Bert Olmstead | Montreal Canadiens | 70 | 14 | 56 | 70 | 94 |
| Tod Sloan | Toronto Maple Leafs | 70 | 37 | 29 | 66 | 100 |
| Andy Bathgate | New York Rangers | 70 | 19 | 47 | 66 | 59 |
| Bernie Geoffrion | Montreal Canadiens | 59 | 29 | 33 | 62 | 66 |
| Earl Reibel | Detroit Red Wings | 68 | 17 | 39 | 56 | 10 |
| Alex Delvecchio | Detroit Red Wings | 70 | 25 | 36 | 51 | 24 |
| Dave Creighton | New York Rangers | 70 | 20 | 31 | 51 | 43 |
Source: NHLTemplate:Sfn
Leading goaltenders[]
(Note: GP = Games played; Min – Minutes Played; GA = Goals Against; GAA = Goals Against Average; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts)
| Player | Team | GP | MIN | GA | GAA | W | L | T | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacques Plante | Montreal Canadiens | 64 | 3840 | 119 | 1.86 | 42 | 12 | 10 | 7 |
| Glenn Hall | Detroit Red Wings | 70 | 4200 | 147 | 2.10 | 30 | 24 | 16 | 12 |
| Terry Sawchuk | Boston Bruins | 68 | 4080 | 177 | 2.60 | 22 | 33 | 13 | 9 |
| Harry Lumley | Toronto Maple Leafs | 59 | 3527 | 159 | 2.70 | 21 | 28 | 10 | 3 |
| Lorne Worsley | New York Rangers | 70 | 4200 | 199 | 2.84 | 32 | 28 | 10 | 4 |
| Al Rollins | Chicago Black Hawks | 58 | 3480 | 172 | 2.97 | 17 | 30 | 11 | 3 |
Debuts[]
The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1955–56:
- Pierre Pilote, Chicago Black Hawks
- Norm Ullman, Detroit Red Wings
- Henri Richard, Montreal Canadiens
- Claude Provost, Montreal Canadiens
- Bob Turner, Montreal Canadiens
- Bronco Horvath, New York Rangers
- Andy Hebenton, New York Rangers
- Jean-Guy Gendron, New York Rangers
- Billy Harris, Toronto Maple Leafs
Last Games[]
The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 1955–56 (listed with their last team):
- Bill Quackenbush, Boston Bruins
- Ed Sandford, Chicago Black Hawks
- Bob Goldham, Detroit Red Wings
- Emile "Butch" Bouchard, Montreal Canadiens
- Don Raleigh, New York Rangers
- Joe Klukay, Toronto Maple Leafs