1954-55 Parkhurst 5 Bert Olmstread Hockey Card (Front)
1954-55 Parkhurst 5 Bert Olmstread Hockey Card (Back)
Card Notes
A reliable, thorough workman, Bert had his best season last year when he racked up 52 points to place 5th in the point race. One of hockey’s best puck-carriers behind his own line, he has a knack of playing the puck off the boards in the corners and getting away from two or three men with his tricky stick work. A good passer, accurate shot, and hard worker, Bert has become an important cog in the Canadien machine. Works hard during the summer too, as he owns a large farm at Scepter.
Details
Bert Olmstead’s 52 points in 1953-54 did place him fifth in the race for the Art Ross Trophy. His strength was his 37 assists that put him second in the NHL behind only Gordie Howe of the Detroit Red Wings.
The “good passer” comment is an understatement. In 1954-55, Olmstead led the National Hockey League with 48 assists, five more than Montreal Canadiens teammate Doug Harvey. He did it again in 1955-56, this time with a career high 56 assists, nine more than second place Andy Bathgate of the New York Rangers.
Bert played 848 regular season and 115 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1948-49 and 1961-62 with the Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs.
Olmstead’s hometown of Sceptre is located in the southwest portion of Saskatchewan. A shrinking population, the village now has a population under 100.
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