Rick Cole
Retired police detective, involved in hockey at all levels for over 50 years. Member of Society for International Hockey Research and presently a video analyst for the leader in advanced hockey analytics (we work exclusively for 2 NHL clubs, and provide advice on an ad hoc basis to many other clients). Currently the Assistant General Manager for the Pelham Pirates of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. Previously owned the Faceoff computer hockey simulation and also provided all player ratings for the EA Sports series of NHL computer games from the late 90's into the mid 2000's.
Author's Posts
Esposito: The Trade That Shaped the Boston Bruins
December 20th, 2018 In today's look at important off-season trades over the years, we set our sights back to 1967. While this particular deal did not take place at the NHL Annual Meetings held in the first week in June, it is inextricably linked to the events that were scheduled for that gathering. June 6, 1967: NHL Expansion Day June 6, 1967 is arguably...
1967 NHL Expansion
June 14th, 2018 June 6, 1967. If you are an old-time hockey fan, or a purist, that date is a day of infamy. If you are of the more modern generation, you likely think of it as the day that the Original Six became 12. No matter how you view the date, it is the day on which the National Hockey League changed forever. Like it or not, it was a natural step...
Remembering Gus Mortson
November 30th, 2017 Gus Mortson, the man they called “Old Hardrock” (as much for his playing style as for his origins in Northern Ontario mining country) was known as one of the toughest players ever to suit up for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Growing up in Ontario’s north, a young man had literally only two choices: work in the mines or play hockey....
50 Years Ago in Hockey: Cheevers Haunts Leafs
November 11th, 2016 Former Toronto Maple Leafs goalkeeper Gerry Cheevers, now trying to win a regular job with the Boston Bruins, took a giant step in that direction last night. He stopped everything his former employers could throw at him as the Bruins blanked the Leafs 4-0 at the Boston Garden. The only other National Hockey League game last night also...
50 Years Ago in Hockey: Sawchuk Stymies Habs
November 10th, 2016 Red Burnett of the Toronto Star put it best: Terry Sawchuk’s goaltending is to the Toronto Maple Leafs what Sandy Koufax’s pitching was to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The veteran Toronto netminder put on a brilliant performance as the Leafs edged the Montreal Canadiens last night by a 3-2 score at the Forum in Montreal. In the other...
50 Years Ago in Hockey: Hodge Leads Hawks Past Rangers
November 9th, 2016 Young right winger Ken Hodge scored a goal and added an assist to lead the Chicago Black Hawks to a 3-1 win over the New York Rangers in the only National Hockey League game last night. Hodge wasn’t around for the end of the game, however. He and New York’s Reggie Fleming squared off in a rousing fist fight with less than five...