1967β68 Pittsburgh Penguins | |
---|---|
Division | 5th West |
1967β68 record | 27β34β13 |
Home record | 15β12β10 |
Road record | 12β22β3 |
Goals for | 195 |
Goals against | 216 |
Team information | |
General manager | Jack Riley |
Coach | Red Sullivan |
Captain | Ab McDonald |
Alternate captains |
Leo Boivin Earl Ingarfield Al MacNeil |
Arena | Pittsburgh Civic Arena |
Average attendance | 7,405 (59.2%) (36 games) [1] |
Team leaders | |
Goals | Ab McDonald (22) |
Assists | Andy Bathgate (39) |
Points | Andy Bathgate (59) |
Penalty minutes | Leo Boivin (74) |
Wins | Les Binkley (20) |
Goals against average | Hank Bassen (2.86) |
The 1967β68 Pittsburgh Penguins season was their first in the NHL. Pittsburgh was one of six cities awarded an expansion team during the 1967 NHL expansion.
After deciding on the "Penguin" nickname (which was inspired by the fact that the team was going to play in an "Igloo", [2] the nickname of the Pittsburgh Civic Center), a logo was chosen, that had a penguin in front of a triangle, which is thought to be in tribute to the " Golden Triangle". [3]
On February 8, 1966, the NHL awarded a franchise to the Hockey Club of Pittsburgh, Incorporated: a partnership of several investors headed by Pennsylvania State Senator Jack McGregor and his friend and business associate Peter Block. McGregor became the public face of the ownership, as president and chief executive officer, and representing the club at Board of Governors meetings.
Later that year McGregor and Block began assembling their new hockey team. American Hockey League executive Jack Riley was named the club's general manager, and began immediately acquiring the services of players. He signed minor-leaguers Les Binkley, Ted Lanyon, Dick Mattiussi and Bill Speer to contracts before the club had ever taken to the ice.
The name of the new team was chosen by a contest in a local newspaper: on February 10, 1967, the new team became known as the Penguins.
In the 1967 NHL Expansion Draft Riley chose experienced players, particularly former New York Rangers players. Coincidentally Penguins head coach Red Sullivan was a former Ranger player and head coach. Earl Ingarfield, Ken Schinkel, Val Fonteyne, Mel Pearson, Al MacNeil, Noel Price, Billy Dea and Art Stratton had each spent time in their careers with the Rangers, but the Penguins' most prized acquisition was former Rangers star Andy Bathgate. Bathgate, then 34 years old, was near the end of his career and deemed expendable by the Red Wings, who had previously acquired his rights.
The rest of the roster was filled with minor-leaguers, particularly members of the Pittsburgh Hornets, the American Hockey League club which had served the Pittsburgh market since the late 1930s.
The Pittsburgh Penguins made 20 selections in the 1967 NHL Expansion Draft held in Montreal from June 5β7. [4]
Round # | Player | Position | Drafted from |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Joe Daley | Goaltender | Detroit Red Wings |
2 | Roy Edwards | Goaltender | Chicago Black Hawks |
3 | Earl Ingarfield | Center | New York Rangers |
4 | Al MacNeil | Defense | New York Rangers |
5 | Larry Jeffrey | Left Wing | Toronto Maple Leafs |
6 | Ab McDonald | Left Wing | Detroit Red Wings |
7 | Leo Boivin | Defense | Detroit Red Wings |
8 | Noel Price | Defense | Montreal Canadiens |
9 | Keith McCreary | Right Wing | Montreal Canadiens |
10 | Ken Schinkel | Right Wing | New York Rangers |
11 | Bob Dillabough | Center | Boston Bruins |
12 | Art Stratton | Center | Chicago Black Hawks |
13 | Val Fonteyne | Left Wing | Detroit Red Wings |
14 | Jeannot Gilbert | Center | Boston Bruins |
15 | Tom McCarthy | Left Wing | Montreal Canadiens |
16 | Billy Dea | Left Wing | Chicago Black Hawks |
17 | Bob Rivard | Center | Montreal Canadiens |
18 | Mel Pearson | Left Wing | Chicago Black Hawks |
19 | Andy Bathgate | Right Wing | Detroit Red Wings |
20 | Les Hunt | Defense | New York Rangers |
The Penguins' first general manager was Jack Riley. His team (along with the other expansion teams) was hampered by restrictive rules that kept most major talent with the " Original Six." Beyond aging sniper Andy Bathgate and tough defenceman Leo Boivin, the first Penguins team was manned by a cast of former minor-leaguers. The club missed the playoffs, but were a mere six points out of 1st place in the close-fought West Division.
GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | DIFF | Pts | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Philadelphia Flyers | 74 | 31 | 32 | 11 | 173 | 179 | β6 | 73 |
2 | Los Angeles Kings | 74 | 31 | 33 | 10 | 200 | 224 | β24 | 72 |
3 | St. Louis Blues | 74 | 27 | 31 | 16 | 177 | 191 | β14 | 70 |
4 | Minnesota North Stars | 74 | 27 | 32 | 15 | 191 | 226 | β35 | 69 |
5 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 74 | 27 | 34 | 13 | 195 | 216 | β21 | 67 |
6 | Oakland Seals | 74 | 15 | 42 | 17 | 153 | 219 | β66 | 47 |
Vs. West Division
|
Vs. East Division
|
1967β1968 Schedule | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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October: 3β6β1 (Home: 2β3β1; Road: 1β3β0) 7 points
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November: 6β3β2 (Home: 3β1β1; Road: 3β2β1) 14 pints
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December: 4β8β2 (Home: 2β3β2; Road: 2β5β0) 10 points
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January: 4β7β2 (Home: 3β2β1; Road: 1β5β1) 10 points
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February: 4β5β3 (Home: 2β3β3; Road: 2β2β0) 11 points
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March: 6β5β3 (Home: 3β0β2; Road: 3β5β1) 15 points
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Legend: = Win = Loss = Tie |
|
|
Player | GP | GS | TOI | W | L | OT | T | GA | GAA | SA | SV% | SO | G | A | PIM |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Les Binkley | 54 | 54 | 3139:01 | 20 | 24 | -- | 10 | 150 | 2.87 | 1585 | 0.905 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Hank Bassen | 25 | 20 | 1295:19 | 7 | 10 | -- | 3 | 62 | 2.87 | 685 | 0.909 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
Total | 74 | 4434:20 | 27 | 34 | 0 | 13 | 212 | 2.87 | 2270 | 0.907 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
β Denotes player spent time with another team before joining the Penguins. Stats reflect time with the Penguins only.
β‘Denotes player was traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with the Penguins only.
The Penguins were involved in the following transactions during the 1967β68 season:
September 7, 1967 | To
Detroit Red Wings
Roy Edwards |
To Pittsburgh Penguins
Hank Bassen |
February 27, 1968 | To
Philadelphia Flyers
Art Stratton |
To Pittsburgh Penguins
Wayne Hicks |
May 21, 1968 | To
Boston Bruins
cash |
To Pittsburgh Penguins
Jean Pronovost |
June 11, 1968 | To
Montreal Canadiens
Al MacNeil |
To Pittsburgh Penguins
Wally Boyer |
June 11, 1968 | To
St. Louis Blues
Ab McDonald |
To Pittsburgh Penguins
Lou Angotti |
|
|
Pittsburgh Penguins' picks at the 1967 NHL Amateur Draft. [9]
Round | # | Player | Pos | Nationality | College/Junior/Club team |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | Steve Rexe | Goaltender | Canada | Belleville Seniors |
1 | 11 | Bob Smith | Center | Canada | Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds |
1967β68 Pittsburgh Penguins | |
---|---|
Division | 5th West |
1967β68 record | 27β34β13 |
Home record | 15β12β10 |
Road record | 12β22β3 |
Goals for | 195 |
Goals against | 216 |
Team information | |
General manager | Jack Riley |
Coach | Red Sullivan |
Captain | Ab McDonald |
Alternate captains |
Leo Boivin Earl Ingarfield Al MacNeil |
Arena | Pittsburgh Civic Arena |
Average attendance | 7,405 (59.2%) (36 games) [1] |
Team leaders | |
Goals | Ab McDonald (22) |
Assists | Andy Bathgate (39) |
Points | Andy Bathgate (59) |
Penalty minutes | Leo Boivin (74) |
Wins | Les Binkley (20) |
Goals against average | Hank Bassen (2.86) |
The 1967β68 Pittsburgh Penguins season was their first in the NHL. Pittsburgh was one of six cities awarded an expansion team during the 1967 NHL expansion.
After deciding on the "Penguin" nickname (which was inspired by the fact that the team was going to play in an "Igloo", [2] the nickname of the Pittsburgh Civic Center), a logo was chosen, that had a penguin in front of a triangle, which is thought to be in tribute to the " Golden Triangle". [3]
On February 8, 1966, the NHL awarded a franchise to the Hockey Club of Pittsburgh, Incorporated: a partnership of several investors headed by Pennsylvania State Senator Jack McGregor and his friend and business associate Peter Block. McGregor became the public face of the ownership, as president and chief executive officer, and representing the club at Board of Governors meetings.
Later that year McGregor and Block began assembling their new hockey team. American Hockey League executive Jack Riley was named the club's general manager, and began immediately acquiring the services of players. He signed minor-leaguers Les Binkley, Ted Lanyon, Dick Mattiussi and Bill Speer to contracts before the club had ever taken to the ice.
The name of the new team was chosen by a contest in a local newspaper: on February 10, 1967, the new team became known as the Penguins.
In the 1967 NHL Expansion Draft Riley chose experienced players, particularly former New York Rangers players. Coincidentally Penguins head coach Red Sullivan was a former Ranger player and head coach. Earl Ingarfield, Ken Schinkel, Val Fonteyne, Mel Pearson, Al MacNeil, Noel Price, Billy Dea and Art Stratton had each spent time in their careers with the Rangers, but the Penguins' most prized acquisition was former Rangers star Andy Bathgate. Bathgate, then 34 years old, was near the end of his career and deemed expendable by the Red Wings, who had previously acquired his rights.
The rest of the roster was filled with minor-leaguers, particularly members of the Pittsburgh Hornets, the American Hockey League club which had served the Pittsburgh market since the late 1930s.
The Pittsburgh Penguins made 20 selections in the 1967 NHL Expansion Draft held in Montreal from June 5β7. [4]
Round # | Player | Position | Drafted from |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Joe Daley | Goaltender | Detroit Red Wings |
2 | Roy Edwards | Goaltender | Chicago Black Hawks |
3 | Earl Ingarfield | Center | New York Rangers |
4 | Al MacNeil | Defense | New York Rangers |
5 | Larry Jeffrey | Left Wing | Toronto Maple Leafs |
6 | Ab McDonald | Left Wing | Detroit Red Wings |
7 | Leo Boivin | Defense | Detroit Red Wings |
8 | Noel Price | Defense | Montreal Canadiens |
9 | Keith McCreary | Right Wing | Montreal Canadiens |
10 | Ken Schinkel | Right Wing | New York Rangers |
11 | Bob Dillabough | Center | Boston Bruins |
12 | Art Stratton | Center | Chicago Black Hawks |
13 | Val Fonteyne | Left Wing | Detroit Red Wings |
14 | Jeannot Gilbert | Center | Boston Bruins |
15 | Tom McCarthy | Left Wing | Montreal Canadiens |
16 | Billy Dea | Left Wing | Chicago Black Hawks |
17 | Bob Rivard | Center | Montreal Canadiens |
18 | Mel Pearson | Left Wing | Chicago Black Hawks |
19 | Andy Bathgate | Right Wing | Detroit Red Wings |
20 | Les Hunt | Defense | New York Rangers |
The Penguins' first general manager was Jack Riley. His team (along with the other expansion teams) was hampered by restrictive rules that kept most major talent with the " Original Six." Beyond aging sniper Andy Bathgate and tough defenceman Leo Boivin, the first Penguins team was manned by a cast of former minor-leaguers. The club missed the playoffs, but were a mere six points out of 1st place in the close-fought West Division.
GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | DIFF | Pts | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Philadelphia Flyers | 74 | 31 | 32 | 11 | 173 | 179 | β6 | 73 |
2 | Los Angeles Kings | 74 | 31 | 33 | 10 | 200 | 224 | β24 | 72 |
3 | St. Louis Blues | 74 | 27 | 31 | 16 | 177 | 191 | β14 | 70 |
4 | Minnesota North Stars | 74 | 27 | 32 | 15 | 191 | 226 | β35 | 69 |
5 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 74 | 27 | 34 | 13 | 195 | 216 | β21 | 67 |
6 | Oakland Seals | 74 | 15 | 42 | 17 | 153 | 219 | β66 | 47 |
Vs. West Division
|
Vs. East Division
|
1967β1968 Schedule | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
October: 3β6β1 (Home: 2β3β1; Road: 1β3β0) 7 points
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
November: 6β3β2 (Home: 3β1β1; Road: 3β2β1) 14 pints
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December: 4β8β2 (Home: 2β3β2; Road: 2β5β0) 10 points
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January: 4β7β2 (Home: 3β2β1; Road: 1β5β1) 10 points
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
February: 4β5β3 (Home: 2β3β3; Road: 2β2β0) 11 points
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
March: 6β5β3 (Home: 3β0β2; Road: 3β5β1) 15 points
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Legend: = Win = Loss = Tie |
|
|
Player | GP | GS | TOI | W | L | OT | T | GA | GAA | SA | SV% | SO | G | A | PIM |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Les Binkley | 54 | 54 | 3139:01 | 20 | 24 | -- | 10 | 150 | 2.87 | 1585 | 0.905 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Hank Bassen | 25 | 20 | 1295:19 | 7 | 10 | -- | 3 | 62 | 2.87 | 685 | 0.909 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
Total | 74 | 4434:20 | 27 | 34 | 0 | 13 | 212 | 2.87 | 2270 | 0.907 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
β Denotes player spent time with another team before joining the Penguins. Stats reflect time with the Penguins only.
β‘Denotes player was traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with the Penguins only.
The Penguins were involved in the following transactions during the 1967β68 season:
September 7, 1967 | To
Detroit Red Wings
Roy Edwards |
To Pittsburgh Penguins
Hank Bassen |
February 27, 1968 | To
Philadelphia Flyers
Art Stratton |
To Pittsburgh Penguins
Wayne Hicks |
May 21, 1968 | To
Boston Bruins
cash |
To Pittsburgh Penguins
Jean Pronovost |
June 11, 1968 | To
Montreal Canadiens
Al MacNeil |
To Pittsburgh Penguins
Wally Boyer |
June 11, 1968 | To
St. Louis Blues
Ab McDonald |
To Pittsburgh Penguins
Lou Angotti |
|
|
Pittsburgh Penguins' picks at the 1967 NHL Amateur Draft. [9]
Round | # | Player | Pos | Nationality | College/Junior/Club team |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | Steve Rexe | Goaltender | Canada | Belleville Seniors |
1 | 11 | Bob Smith | Center | Canada | Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds |