Wayne Connelly: 1962-63 Topps 18

1962-63 Topps 18 Wayne Connelly Hockey Card (Front)

1962-63 Topps 18 Wayne Connelly Hockey Card (Back)

1962-63 Topps NHL Checklist

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Card Notes

Bruins got him early last season by sending Bob Armstrong to Hull-Ottawa as player-coach. Wayne grew up in Montreal organization and earned reputation as calm, heady player who steers clear of damaging penalties as winger.

En Français

Les Bruins i’obtiennent tôt la saison dernière en envoyant Bob Armstrong à Hull-Ottawa comme joueur-pilote. Il vécut à Montréal et acquit la réputation de calme et intelligent joueur qui s’abstient d’obtenir des punitions coûteuses comme ailier.

Details

After playing just three games with the Montreal Canadiens in 1960-61, the team that developed him, Connelly was off to the Bruins for a spectacular rookie season in 1961-62. The numbers were not overly outstanding with eight goals and 21 points in 61 games. However, he was fourth in voting for the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year. Bobby Rousseau of the Habs was the runaway winner of the award.

It was a rocky road for Wayne with the Bruins after that rookie season. He played just 18 games for the NHL club in 1962-63 and that didn’t grow much for the 1963-64 season. He spent two full seasons in the minors with the WHL’s California Seals before getting another full-time shot with Boston in 1966-67.

At the 1967 NHL Expansion Draft, the Minnesota North Stars made Connelly their seventh pick, 38th overall. The change of scenery provided Wayne with a career year. His 35 goals were by far his NHL best and it placed him in a three-way tie for fourth in the league with Norm Ullman and Phil Esposito.

Between 1960-61 and 1971-72, Wayne Connelly appeared in 543 regular season and 24 playoff games in the National Hockey League. Along with the Canadiens, Bruins and North Stars, Wayne also played for the Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues and Vancouver Canucks. He was twice the property of the New York Rangers but never played for the Blue Shirts.

Connelly jumped to the WHA for the Rebel League’s inaugural season. Between 1972-73 and 1976-77, he played 366 regular season and 37 playoff games with the Minnesota Fighting Saints, Cleveland Crusaders, Calgary Cowboys and Edmonton Oilers. In each of his first two years, he topped the 40 goal plateau.

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Wayne Connelly NHL Career Stats

Regular Season

Year	Team	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1960-61	Montreal Canadiens	3	0	0	0	0
1961-62	Boston Bruins	61	8	12	20	34
1962-63	Boston Bruins	18	2	6	8	2
1963-64	Boston Bruins	26	2	3	5	12
1966-67	Boston Bruins	64	13	17	30	12
1967-68	Minnesota North Stars	74	35	21	56	40
1968-69	Minnesota North Stars	55	14	16	30	11
1968-69	Detroit Red Wings	19	4	9	13	0
1969-70	Detroit Red Wings	76	23	36	59	10
1970-71	Detroit Red Wings	51	8	13	21	12
1970-71	St. Louis Blues	28	5	16	21	9
1971-72	St. Louis Blues	15	5	5	10	2
1971-72	Vancouver Canucks	53	14	20	34	12
	Totals	543	133	174	307	156

Playoffs

Year	Team	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1960-61	Montreal Canadiens	0	0	0	0	0
1961-62	Boston Bruins	0	0	0	0	0
1962-63	Boston Bruins	0	0	0	0	0
1963-64	Boston Bruins	0	0	0	0	0
1966-67	Boston Bruins	0	0	0	0	0
1967-68	Minnesota North Stars	14	8	3	11	2
1968-69	Minnesota North Stars	0	0	0	0	0
1968-69	Detroit Red Wings	0	0	0	0	0
1969-70	Detroit Red Wings	4	1	3	4	2
1970-71	Detroit Red Wings	0	0	0	0	0
1970-71	St. Louis Blues	6	2	1	3	0
1971-72	St. Louis Blues	0	0	0	0	0
1971-72	Vancouver Canucks	0	0	0	0	0
	Totals	24	11	7	18	4