NHL All-Stars: Bobby Rousseau’s Brilliant 1965-66 Season

Bobby Rousseau put together the best campaign of his NHL career in 1965-66, delivering a breakout year that helped power the Montreal Canadiens back to the top of the league. Rousseau scored 30 goals and added 48 assists for 78 points, edging out Jean Béliveau for the team scoring lead by a single point. His playmaking touch stood out across the league as well. He led the NHL in assists and finished tied with Stan Mikita for second place in the Art Ross Trophy race.

His strong performance carried straight into the postseason. Rousseau collected eight points in ten games, helping Montreal sweep the Toronto Maple Leafs in the opening round and defeat the Detroit Red Wings in six games to capture another Stanley Cup championship.

Despite Rousseau’s exceptional production, Gordie Howe earned First Team NHL All-Star honours at right wing. The two stars posted remarkably similar numbers that year, but Howe’s iconic stature and Hart Trophy voting (finishing third) gave him the edge. Rousseau still earned recognition, finishing as the runner-up for the Lady Byng Trophy behind Alex Delvecchio.

By the end of his career, Rousseau had put together an impressive resume:

• 942 regular season games

• 128 playoff games

• Four Stanley Cup championships with Montreal

• 1961-62 Calder Trophy winner

• NHL stops with the Canadiens, Minnesota North Stars, and New York Rangers

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NHL Hockey Trivia: Bobby Rousseau

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

1. Bobby Rousseau won the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year in which season?

1960-61
1961-62
1962-63

2. Which team did Rousseau lead in scoring during his career-best 1965-66 season?

Montreal Canadiens
Minnesota North Stars
New York Rangers

3. How many Stanley Cup championships did Bobby Rousseau win?

Two
Four
Five

4. Rousseau finished runner-up for which major NHL award in 1965-66?

Lady Byng Trophy
Hart Trophy
Vezina Trophy

5. Across his NHL career, which team did Bobby Rousseau NOT play for?

New York Rangers
Minnesota North Stars
Chicago Blackhawks

Your Score:

Former Canadiens Power Rangers to 4-3 Win Over Montreal on December 24, 1966

It was a Christmas Eve clash that felt more like a ghost story for the Montreal Canadiens. On December 24, 1966, the New York Rangers came to the Montreal Forum and stunned the home crowd with a 4-3 victory, led almost entirely by former Habs.

Phil Goyette and Don Marshall had been traded from Montreal to New York before the 1963-64 season. Bernie “Boom Boom” Geoffrion joined the Rangers for the 1966-67 campaign after coming out of retirement. All three had something to prove, and they made their point loud and clear.

Ralph Backstrom got Montreal off to a hot start, scoring just 1:37 into the first period. But it wasn’t long before Bob Nevin tied the game for the Rangers, assisted by Goyette and another ex-Hab, Reg Fleming. Backstrom struck again in the second to give the Canadiens a 2-1 edge. Then the ghosts of Montreal’s past came knocking.

Geoffrion scored twice in the span of six minutes, his first tied the game at 12:16, and his second came on the powerplay, giving the Rangers a 3-2 lead. Goyette and Nevin picked up the assists on both.

Bobby Rousseau, himself a future Ranger, tied it once more midway through the third period. But with just 33 seconds left in regulation, Donnie Marshall delivered the dagger, his 15th of the season, once again set up by Goyette and Nevin.

The trio of ex-Habs finished the night with a combined six points and 14 of New York’s 37 shots on Charlie Hodge. The Rangers may have been the visitors, but on this night, they owned the Forum. Also suiting up for New York that night? Two more former Canadiens: Bill Hicke and Al MacNeil.

The Next Game Didn't Go So Well

The two teams met again on New Year's Eve at the Montreal Forum. This time, the Rangers were blanked 3-0 with Charlie Hodge making 25 saves for the shutout. Marshall led the Rangers with five shots while Geoffrion and Goyette managed just one each. 

Scoring the game winner for the Habs at 14:29 of the first period was Yvan Cournoyer. The Roadrunner put one past Ed Giacomin on the powerplay with help from Dick Duff and J.C. Tremblay. Duff had spent a short time with the Rangers between his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens. Over parts of the 1963-64 and 1964-65 seasons, he played 43 games for the Blue Shirts.