THE 66-67 LEAFS: DID THEY KNOW?

by Ron Spence

Any player that I’ve ever met has been happy to win the Stanley Cup.

I understate, of course.

Pens’ captain Sidney Crosby won his first Cup at the age of 21 years. And while forgetting to shake hands, he knew how to celebrate the great honour.

courtesy of politicslam.com

Dallas Drake won his first Cup at 38-years-of-age, after a decade and a half as an NHL player.

courtesy of yoopersteez.com

Ray Bourque was 40 when he won his first Cup – with the Avs – and had been playing in the NHL since he was 19-years-of-age. He was certainly as happy as Crosby and Dallas Drake.

courtesy of pakpassion.net

Rod Brind’Amour won his Cup at 35-years-of-age in 2005-06.

courtesy of caltechgirlsworld.mu.nu

Denis Potvin and the Islanders won the Cup four years in a row from 1980-83.

courtesy of sportsillustrated.net

The Oilers won Cups in 1984, 1985, 1987 and 1988 – and in 1990 after Gretz had been traded. Gary Coleman isn’t in this picture.

courtesy of sportsillustrated.net

And these guys?

They’re the 1966-67 Maple Leafs. Toronto had previously won the Stanley Cup in 1962, 1963, and 1964.

And there’s not a smile to be found.

courtesy of barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu

They look like they’re ready to line up as pallbearers.

And, I was wondering if they had some sort of collective psychic ability – and knew that the Leafs would never win another Stanley Cup?