How did the NHL help the Montreal Canadiens build a dynasty?
Before the 1960s, there was no amateur draft. The recruitment of NHL players was simply a matter of first come, first served. The Montreal Canadiens ensured they were supplied with young talent by establishing the most well-stocked farm system in sports history, with junior and senior teams on the prairies, minor pro teams in the U.S. and entire leagues in Quebec. The Toronto Maple Leafs did pretty much the same thing in Ontario and beyond by operating a similar network. The Canadiens had exclusive rights to all players within its 50-mile territorial limits. So the Canadiens could browse the neighbourhood rinks near Montreal at their leisure, while teams like the New York Rangers had a lock on the next great goalie from Hoboken. I think they’re still waiting for him. Most of these advantages disappeared in 1963 when the amateur draft was introduced. But the Canadiens continued to benefit from players developed under the old system well into the 1970s.
