Written by Researcher and FHC Volunteer Mark Galluzzo
The late 1960s and early 1970s saw a meteoric rise in the popularity of hockey across New England, and Framingham was not immune to the craze. This was the era of the “Big Bad Bruins.”
A young Bobby Orr forever transformed the defenseman position with his remarkable two-way play. His spectacular rink-length rushes and amazing penalty killing (“ragging the puck”) are etched in the memories of the hockey fans of that time. He was arguably one of the main reasons for the team’s Stanley Cup victory in 1970. In his best year (1970-71), Orr tallied 37 goals and 102 assists in 78 games!
Likewise, Phil Esposito was a scoring machine, and that same season, he tallied 76 goals and 76 assists in 78 games. Derek Sanderson, goalie Gerry Cheevers, Johnny Bucyk, Wayne Cashman, Ken Hodge, John McKenzie, Don Awrey, and a host of other colorful players rounded out the rough-and-tumble roster.
Hockey fever reached many cities and towns in eastern Massachusetts, and Framingham was a MetroWest hot bed. Enrollment in the youth hockey program sky-rocketed; there was even a waiting list. Street hockey was a “must-do” after school neighborhood event. The winter frozen ponds were packed with kids streaking up the ice and dreaming of NHL glory.
While interest grew in the U.S., the game primarily remained the Canadian “national sport” and past-time. The NHL consisted of only six teams: the Boston Bruins, the Chicago Blackhawks, the Detroit Red Wings, the Montreal Canadiens, the New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs. NHL Expansion didn’t happen until 1967 with the entry of six new teams (California Seals, LA Kings, Minnesota North Stars, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and St. Louis Blues). Even so, the vast majority of professional players were still Canadian-born (greater than 90%). Canadian Junior Hockey was the most important NHL feeder program.
The first U.S. born, full-time Boston Bruin was Tom Williams (Duluth, MN). He broke into the league in 1962. Russian, Swedish, Finnish, Czech and Slovak NHL players were still years away. Back then, U.S. College Hockey was decent, but it was a shadow of its current self. The NCAA is now rich in international talent and replete with bright NHL prospects. The USA Hockey Development Program is now also a great source of college and pro hockey players. And, of course, Canadian Junior Hockey is as good as it always was. Bottom line — in the 60’s and early 70’s, it was exceptionally difficult for an American player to break into the NHL.
So, if you were a solid college hockey player from New England and wanted to continue to play the game you loved, where did you lace up your skates? Enter the senior amateur Massachusetts Hockey League (MHL), the Framingham Olympics (the Pics), and Loring Arena (opened in 1963).
The MHL included many of the top former high school and college players from New England including the legendary BC hockey coach Jerry York, Dick Ernst, Lou Lamoriello, Art Chisolm, Ray Ruggieri, Massachusetts brothers Harold, Butch and Wally Songin, and Olympic and National players like Dick Rodenhiser, and Bill Cleary.
Goaltender, Coach, and former Hockey East Commissioner (for 23 years) Joe Bertagna was on the Pics’ 1973 roster. In the 1968-69 season, the MHL became the New England Hockey League. The two leagues spanned from 1965 to 1973. There were usually 5-6 teams, including the Pics, Lowell Chiefs, Braintree Hawks, Concord Eastern Olympics, Fitchburg Hornets, and Manchester Monarchs. The season lasted anywhere between 30 and 40 games.
The Pics drew great crowds during the 60s and 70s as Framingham continued to grow and hockey firmly took hold and established deep roots in the area. Attempts to revitalize senior Massachusetts/New England amateur leagues after 1973 proved economically infeasible. In the subsequent years, the NHL continued to expand, the World Hockey Association stopped by for a cup of coffee (1971-1979), U.S. College Hockey was cemented as a viable alternate route to the NHL, and U.S. Junior Hockey and high school and youth hockey leagues developed into strong feeder programs. The doors were opening for American hockey players. By 2023, approximately 30% of NHL players were American born, with 43% of Canadian origin (lowest ever).
The Pics were low cost, family-friendly ,and a great night out. The players were tough and competitive. Importantly, the team met the entertainment and sports needs of a burgeoning community as ice hockey was becoming the winter sport of choice in the northeast United States.
Special thanks to Tom Apprille for his thoughts on the MHL/NEHL and the Framingham Pics. Tom was a star goaltender at Arlington High School and Boston College. He was selected Captain of the 1963-64 BC Team. He played for the Merrimack Valley Chiefs, Lowell Chiefs and Concord Eastern Olympics. He also coached South Boston High School and Bentley College. He’s the goalie in the above image titled “Mass Hockey League Action.”