Glenn Resch Had A Standout 1974-75 Season (And Was Still A Rookie In 1975-76)

It was just the second game of their existence. The Kansas City Scouts started play in the National Hockey League in 1974-75, along with the Washington Capitals. In their first game, they lost 6-2 to Toronto at Maple Leaf Gardens with Michel Plasse facing 46 shots. In game two at Nassau County Coliseum, it was the Scouts doing the bulk of the shooting. But, Glenn Resch got in the way.

Butch Deadmarsh got the visitors on the board, scoring on Resch at 8:06 of the first period, assisted by Dave Hudson and Chris Evans. However, by the end of the frame, the Islanders had a 3-1 lead. In the end, it was another 6-2 loss but the Scouts certainly had their chances with 36 shots on Chico. Making the saves to give his team a chance for the W certainly became Resch's trademark.

Glenn had three shutouts during the 1974-75 NHL season but never faced more than 21 shots in any of those games. He finished the year with a .916 save percentage during the regular season but it was in the playoffs when he really came through.

In that 1974-75 post season, Resch played 12 games for the New York Islanders, posting a 2.17 goals against average, one shutout and an amazing .931 save percentage. Incredible numbers for a goalie on a team that was bounced in the semi-final. He led all goalies in save percentage in those playoffs.

In the team's quarter-final series against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Glenn was in net for all four wins while Billy Smith took all three losses. Game seven was a 30 save 1-0 shutout with Ed Westfall scoring the game winning goal late in the third period.

Despite playing 25 regular season and 12 playoff games in 1974-75, his second year seeing NHL action, Resch was still considered a rookie in 1975-76. That year, he posted a 2.08 GAA with a league leading .928 save percentage along with seven shutouts. Glenn was runner-up to teammate Bryan Trottier for the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year.

Gilles Meloche and his Under-Appreciated Rookie 1971-72 NHL Season

Goaltender Gilles Meloche was a fifth round pick by the Chicago Blackhawks at the 1970 NHL Amateur Draft. However, Meloche played just two games with the Hawks in 1970-71 before ending up with the California Golden Seals. With the Seals, Gilles was thrust into the number one role in 1971-72 and didn't disappoint.

In his true rookie season, Meloche played 56 games for California, posting a 3.33 goals against average with four shutouts. These were great numbers for a goalie on a team that didn't qualify for the post season. In his first game with the club, he shut down the high-powered Boston Bruins, earning his first career shutout while turning away 34 shots at the Boston Garden.

Typical of the Golden Seals, Meloche stopped 52 of 54 shots in a March 11, 1972 game at Maple Leaf Gardens but still lost the to Toronto 2-1. It was Darryl Sittler sinking the Seals with a power play goal at 12:29 of the second period.

Despite this, Gilles received just a single vote for the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year in 1971-72. Ahead of him in voting was winner Ken Dryden along with Rick Martin and Marcel Dionne, certainly a deserving trio.

The following year, 1972-73, Meloche led the NHL in games and minutes played, shots, saves and goals against. Gilles was getting better as a goalie but the Golden Seals were simply getting worse as a franchise. In three games, he faced over 50 shots. In 14, opponents fired more than 40 at him. 

Gilles Meloche played 788 regular season and 45 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1970-71 and 1987-88 with the Blackhawks, Golden Seals, Cleveland Barons, Minnesota North Stars and Pittsburgh Penguins. 

Eddie Shack's Time With The Los Angeles Kings

Eddie Shack spent just one full season with the Los Angeles Kings, 1969-70. He came to California via a May 14, 1969 trade from the Boston Bruins with Ross Lonsberry for Ken Turlik and a pair of draft picks. Shack had been with the Bruins for two seasons, following his time winning four Stanley Cup championships with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

With the Kings in 1969-70, Eddie scored 22 goals and assisted on 12 for 34 points over 73 games. This was important because it was the third of five different teams he would score 20 or more in a season for. He was the first to accomplish that feat.

His first game with Los Angeles was against the Montreal Canadiens on the road at the Forum. Shack scored the only goal for the Kings in a 5-1 loss. Eddie put the puck past Habs goalie Rogie Vachon at 3:52 of the third period, assisted by Dennis Hextall and Bob Wall.

His lone hat trick with the Kings came shortly after in an October 18, 1969 matchup with the Oakland Seals. He scored what would be the game winner at 15:19 of the first period on Gary Smith in a 5-0 home win. 

Shack started the 1970-71 NHL season with Los Angeles but eleven games into the season, his time in California was up. On November 24, 1970, Eddie was traded with Dick Duff to the Buffalo Sabres for Mike McMahon and two draft picks. He scored 25 goals with Buffalo that year. Combined with the two goals he scored for L.A., the 27 total was a career best.

Between 1958-59 and 1974-75, Eddie Shack played 1,047 regular season and 74 playoff games in the National Hockey League with the New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, Los Angeles Kings, Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins.