1958-59 Topps NHL Hockey Cards

The 1958-59 Topps NHL hockey card set consists of 66 cards featuring players from the four United States based teams at the time: Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings.

The highlight of the set is the Bobby Hull rookie card, number 66 in the set. It also features the RC of Hull’s Chicago teammate Ken Wharram. Other significant first year cards include: Eddie Shack, Len Lunde and Charlie Burns.

Valuable cards in the set include those of: Terry Sawchuk, Gordie Howe, Glenn Hall, Pierre Pilote and John Bucyk.

1958-59 Topps NHL Checklist

1958-59 Topps NHL Complete Hockey Card Collection [Video]

1958-59 NHL Season

In 1958-59, the Montreal Canadiens became the first franchise to win the Stanley Cup in four consecutive seasons. They would go on to win a fifth in 1959-60. Previously, just the 1946-47 to 1948-49 Toronto Maple Leafs had won three championships in a row.

Dickie Moore and Jean Beliveau, both from the Montreal Canadiens, dominated offensively, finishing 1-2 in goals and points. Both were named First Team All-Stars. While the Art Ross Trophy went to Moore, it was Andy Bathgate that would get the nod for the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player. Beliveau was actually third in voting behind runner-up Gordie Howe and Moore finished fifth.

It would mark the end of an era (and the start of a decade of misery) for the Boston Bruins. Boston placed second in the six team league during the regular season, a lofty 18 points behind the Habs. They were bounced in the semi-final by the Toronto Maple Leafs with the series going the full seven games. This would be the last time the Bruins would be in the post season until 1967-68.

Montreal dominated the regular season with Boston second and the Chicago Blackhawks taking the third spot. The Toronto Maple Leafs squeaked into the fourth and final playoff spot with just a single point edge over the New York Rangers. Yet, in the end, it was the Maple Leafs challenging the Canadiens for the Cup with Montreal taking the final series in five games.

Rookie of the Year honours went to Ralph Backstrom of the Habs with more than double the votes than runner-up Carl Brewer of the Maple Leafs. Also in the running for the Calder Trophy were Ab MacDonald, Charlie Burns and Norm Johnson.

The biggest blowout of the season came on March 7, 1959 with the Canadiens taking out the Red Wings 10-2. Terry Sawchuk took the abuse in the Detroit nets while Jacques Plante saw little action at the other end. Beliveau led the way with a seven point night on four goals and three assists (his 4th hat trick of the season). Moore had six points on two goals and five assists. Marcel Bonin played set-up man with five assists.

Players playing in their first NHL games in 1958-59 include: Stan Mikita, John McKenzie, Bill Hicke and Eddie Shack. All four would go on to lengthy National Hockey League careers with Stan Mikita making his way to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

1958-59 NHL Standings

1958-59 NHL Scoring Leaders