Last summer the offensively challenged Boston Bruins acquired veteran left winger Parker MacDonald from the Detroit Red Wings in a multi-player trade with the express intent of improving their moribund offense. Now, less than half-way into the National Hockey League season, the cellar-dwelling Bruins have sent MacDonald back to the Red Wings.
Pit Martin to Bruins
Going to Boston from Detroit is 22-year-old centre Pit Martin. It would seem the Red Wings have given up on the former captain of the Hamilton Red Wings. Martin has been playing with Pittsburgh of the American Hockey League after being sent down a couple of weeks ago.
Martin had one goal and one assist in 10 games with Detroit before being sent to Pittsburgh. In 16 games with the Hornets, he scored six goals and added a like number of assists. He has been regarded as one of Detroit’s brightest prospects since leading Hamilton to the Memorial Cup in 1962. That year he scored 12 goals and 11 assists in only 14 playoff games.
MacDonald has played in 29 games with the Bruins, scoring six goals and four assists. In his previous three and a half seasons with the Red Wings as left winger on Gordie Howe’s line, he scored 72 goals. Detroit general manager Sid Abel is obviously hoping the 32-year-old can recapture that magic once again.
MacDonald was traded to Boston by Detroit last May along with Albert Langlois, Ron Harris and Bob Dillabough for Ab McDonald, Bob McCord and Ken Stephenson.
MacDonald’s best NHL season was in 1962-63 when he scored 33 goals and 28 assists for 61 points. He made earlier NHL stops at Toronto and New York.
Red Wings Want Swedes
The Detroit Red Wings have placed two stars from the Swedish national hockey team on their negotiation list. Jim Skinner, head scout and farm director of the Red Wings, says that the Wings hope to have both players signed and available to play by next fall.
The two players in question are Tord Lundstrom, a left winger, and centre Haken Nygren. Skinner believes both are good enough to play in the Central Professional Hockey League now.
Lundstrom told the Red Wings that he is very interested in turning pro, and wants to attend training camp next fall. Nygren indicated that he was undecided on whether he wants a professional career. He is an engineering student and may want to finish his education.
By placing a player on its negotiation list, a team retains the exclusive rights to negotiate with that player. These players will be offered the opportunity to attend the Red Wings’ training camp and if they show well, will be offered contracts. If signed, both players would likely start with the Memphis Wings of the CPHL.
OHA Roundup: Hamilton Upsets Oshawa
Before a packed house at the venerable Hamilton Forum, the Red Wings scored three third-period goals to trip the league-leading Oshawa Generals 4-2 last night in an Ontario Hockey Association Junior A game.
Oshawa led after 40 minutes on goals by Billy Heindl and Paul Cadieux. Hamilton got third-period markers from Fred Speck, Gary Marsh and Don Geisebrecht to take the win. Brian Watts had scored Hamilton’s first goal in the second frame.
Lemaire Leads Baby Habs Past St. Kitts
Jacques Lemaire scored three goals to lead the Montreal Junior Canadiens to a 6-5 win over the St. Catharines Black Hawks last night in Montreal. Michel Lapalme added a pair of goals for Montreal, including the game winner with only 22 seconds left in the game. Larry Pleau had Montreal’s other marker.
For St. Catharines, Doug Shelton and Ken Laidlaw each potted a pair, with Gary MacMillan adding a single.
Grant Ends Slump as Petes Down Flyers
Danny Grant and John Vandenberg each had two goals as the Peterborough Petes drubbed the Niagara Falls Flyers 7-2 in Peterborough.
Garry Monahan, Joey Johnston and Guy Dufour also scored for the winners. Jean Pronovost and Tom Webster replied for Niagara Falls.
Grant’s two goals brought his season total to 31. He ended a three game goalless drought.
Decision on New Habs Rink Soon
David Molson says that a decision on the location for a new arena to house the Montreal Canadiens should be made within a month. Molson that from 26 original locations that were considered, the field has been narrowed to three. He did not specify where those sites are situated.
Canadiens have played in the Forum full-time since the 1925-26 season. It opened a year earlier, in November, 1924.
The Molson family wanted to expand the present building, but construction in the area has reduced available parking and adjacent space for building expansion.