The Canadiens Game Where Roles Reversed: Richard the Playmaker, Olmstead the Sniper

On January 9, 1954, the Montreal Forum witnessed one of the most remarkable role reversals in NHL history. Maurice "Rocket" Richard, usually the goal-scoring machine, became the playmaker, while Bert Olmstead, best known as a setup man, lit up the scoreboard.

Olmstead, whose career-high in goals came as a rookie with 20 for the Chicago Blackhawks, was typically among the league’s leaders in assists. Richard, on the other hand, was almost exclusively a finisher, his career defined by relentless goal-scoring. But on this night against the struggling Blackhawks, the script was flipped.

Olmstead tied Richard’s franchise record by recording eight points on four goals and four assists in Montreal’s 12-1 blowout victory. Richard, though goal-less, piled up five assists in the win. Jean Béliveau added to the fireworks with a five-point performance of his own (two goals and three assists).

The game was over early, as Chicago entered with just eight wins in 40 games and went on to win only 12 all season, finishing a distant last, 37 points behind the next team. Olmstead’s game-winning tally came at 10:20 of the first period, assisted by Richard and Béliveau. He followed with two second-period powerplay goals and capped off his night with a fourth in the third, plus a final assist on Ken Mosdell’s hat trick marker.

About Bert Olmstead

Bert Olmstead 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. His time in Chicago was limited to one full season, 1949-50. That year, he scored 20 goals and added 29 assists for 49 points while finishing third in voting for the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year.

In December 1950, Olmstead was part of a trade with the Detroit Red Wings that sent Vic Stasiuk to the Wings in exchange for Lee Fogolin and Steve Black. Without playing a game for Detroit, Bert was then traded to the Canadiens for Leo Gravelle. With Montreal, he was an important part of four Stanley Cup championships. He won a fifth with the Maple Leafs in 1961-62.

NHL Hockey Trivia: Bert Olmstead

Much more NHL hockey trivia can be found at our website: World's Best Hockey Trivia

1. Which team did Bert Olmstead begin his NHL career with?

Montreal Canadiens
Chicago Blackhawks
Toronto Maple Leafs
Detroit Red Wings

2. In the 1950s, Olmstead led the NHL in assists. What was his single-season career-high total?

42
50
56
61

3. How many Stanley Cups did Bert Olmstead win during his career?

3
4
5
6

4. Which superstar center was often paired with Olmstead in Montreal, forming one of hockey’s most effective lines?

Jean Béliveau
Henri Richard
Doug Harvey
Elmer Lach

5. In what year was Bert Olmstead inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame?

1972
1975
1985
1988