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October 21, 1961
The Hockey News has been providing the most comprehensive coverage of the world of hockey since 1947. In each issue, you'll find news, features and opinions about the NHL and leagues across North America and the world.


PICK HAWKS TO DETHRONE HABS
New Man On The Totem Pole Say OK for O’Keefe…


Junior Habs Get OHA Jr. OK
TORONTO, Ont.— The Montreal Junior Canadiens. following months of uncertainty, were given permission to play in the Ontario Hockey Association’s junior A series last week. Chairman Stafford Smythe of the Toronto Maple Leafs agreed last week to let the Junior Habs compete in Leafs’ 50-mile radius following a meeting with the six-team league. Smythe, invoking his rights under the National Hockey League by law, earlier had refused permission for the pro-sponsored juniors to appear in Toronto territory. In return for the concession, all six OHA Junior A teams will be required to play one exhibition game with Toronto Marlboros and St. Michael’s College Majors as part of Sunday afternoon doubleheaders in Maple Leaf Gardens. This means interlocking exhibition games will be played in Toronto on 12 of the 18 Sundays during the season. The Marlboros are…


Bower Offers To Train Junior Coaler
(In The Toronto Globe And Mail) TORONTO, Ont.— Johnny Bower, an oddity in that he encourages those who seek his job, is a strong booster of a youth who eventually could take it. The stripling is a 20-year-old by name of Jerry Cheevers. He tended goal last season for Toronto St. Michael’s College Majors, Canadian junior hockey champions. He performed most ably this fall in spelling off Bower in Toronto Maple Leafs’ exhibition games. Last week, Bower was asked whether he thought Cheevers should be shipped out now for seasoning, or whether he should stick with Leafs for a while and absorb big-league knowledge. “I’d like to have him stay with us for a couple of months and I’d make a heck of a goalie out of him,” said Bower. “He has the stuff and…


Punch Was Set To Heave Heavy Load Onto Bert
TORONTO, Ont.— Maple Leafs opened the 1961-62 National Hockey League season last week without one of their most important workmen, left-winger Bert Olmstead. Starting his 13th NHL campaign, Olmstead twisted a knee in training camp last month. At press time, there was no indication how soon he’d be ready to rejoin the club. He returned to Toronto Oct. 5 to have the cast removed from his leg and begin therapeutic exercises to restore its strength. It’s for sure Leafs need him. He figures prominently in all their ’61-’62 plans, both as a regular left-winger and as the strategist on the all-important power play. Olmstead had been in his best frame of mind in years as he headed for training camp in mid-September. He had come east from his Saskatchewan farm well ahead of schedule for…