What Is 12th NHL All Star Game

Overview

The 12th NHL All-Star Game, held on January 17, 1959, was a pivotal event in the history of professional ice hockey, showcasing the league’s top talent outside of the defending Stanley Cup champions. This annual exhibition game was hosted at the Detroit Olympia, the historic home of the Detroit Red Wings, and drew a crowd of 14,882 enthusiastic fans. The game followed the traditional format used from 1947 to 1968, in which the previous season’s Stanley Cup-winning team faced a collection of All-Stars selected from the other NHL franchises.

That season’s defending champions were the Montreal Canadiens, who had captured the 1958 Stanley Cup by defeating the Boston Bruins in a four-game sweep. As per the era’s All-Star Game structure, the Canadiens were pitted against a team composed of standout players from the remaining five NHL teams: the Boston Bruins, Chicago Black Hawks, Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers, and Toronto Maple Leafs. This format emphasized the dominance of the Canadiens during the late 1950s and allowed fans to witness elite competition even in an exhibition setting.

The significance of the 12th edition lies not only in its competitive nature but also in its role as a cultural touchstone during hockey’s Original Six era. With only six teams in the NHL at the time, the All-Star Game provided a rare opportunity for inter-conference camaraderie and showcased stars like Andy Bathgate, Henri Richard, and Gump Worsley. The game highlighted the league’s growing popularity and helped solidify the All-Star Game as a mid-season spectacle that celebrated individual excellence within a team sport.

How It Works

The format of the NHL All-Star Game during the late 1950s differed significantly from modern iterations. Instead of dividing players by conference or through fan voting into two mixed teams, the league used a champion-versus-challengers model. This section explains key components of how the game was structured, selected, and executed during this period.

• Format: The reigning Stanley Cup champion played against a team of All-Stars from the other five NHL teams. This created a narrative of champions defending their title against the league’s best combined opposition.
• Selection Process: Coaches and general managers selected the All-Star roster, focusing on performance, popularity, and team representation. Each of the five non-champion teams typically contributed two to three players.
• Venue Rotation: The host city rotated annually among the NHL markets. In 1959, Detroit was chosen, marking the third time the Red Wings hosted the event.
• Game Structure: Played in a standard three-period format (60 minutes), the game followed regular-season rules but with a more relaxed, exhibition-style approach to reduce injury risk.
• Scoring System: Goals, assists, and goaltending saves were recorded, but no official Most Valuable Player (MVP) was awarded until 1971.
• Broadcast: The game was broadcast nationally on radio through the NHL on the Air network, though no national television coverage existed in the U.S. or Canada at the time.
• Revenue Model: Ticket sales and local sponsorships funded the event, with proceeds often supporting player pension funds—a tradition established in the 1940s.

Key Details and Comparisons

The comparison above illustrates the evolution of the NHL All-Star Game over nearly eight decades. While the 1959 edition emphasized competition between a single champion and a composite All-Star team, the 2023 format shifted to a skills-based, tournament-style event focused on entertainment. The original 1947 game set the precedent for the champion-versus-challengers model, which remained in place until 1969. Attendance figures show steady growth, reflecting increased media exposure and fan engagement. The shift from full-ice, five-on-five play to the current 3-on-3 format highlights the NHL’s adaptation to modern sports entertainment trends, prioritizing speed and scoring over traditional structure.

Real-World Examples

The 1959 All-Star Game featured several standout performances that underscored the talent of the era. Andy Bathgate of the New York Rangers scored two goals, becoming a key offensive force for the All-Stars. In net, Gump Worsley, then with the Canadiens but playing for the All-Stars due to team alignment rules, contributed to the final scoreline, though Montreal ultimately fell. The game also marked one of the early appearances of Henri Richard, younger brother of legendary Maurice “Rocket” Richard, who was beginning to establish his own legacy with Montreal.

Other notable moments from NHL All-Star history include:

1. 1947: The inaugural All-Star Game, held in Toronto, where the All-Stars defeated the Maple Leafs 4–3.
2. 1955: The first All-Star Game held outside Canada, in Detroit, setting a precedent for U.S. host cities.
3. 1962: A record-setting 10–7 victory by the All-Stars over the defending champion Black Hawks.
4. 1968: The final champion-vs.-All-Stars format game before the NHL switched to East vs. West divisions.

Why It Matters

The 12th NHL All-Star Game was more than just an exhibition—it was a reflection of the league’s identity during a golden age of hockey. At a time when the NHL consisted of only six teams, events like this helped build national interest and media coverage, especially as television began to emerge as a dominant medium. The game also served as a platform for player recognition and contract negotiations, with strong All-Star performances often leading to increased visibility and leverage.

• Historical Legacy: The 1959 game is remembered as part of the Canadiens’ dynasty years, during which they won five consecutive Stanley Cups from 1956 to 1960.
• Player Exposure: Stars like Bathgate and Worsley gained wider recognition, helping grow their personal brands and marketability.
• Format Influence: The champion-vs.-All-Stars model influenced later formats, including the 1970s’ Wales vs. Campbell Conference games.
• Cultural Impact: These games brought communities together, especially in Original Six cities with deep hockey traditions.
• Evolution of the Game: The 1959 contest highlights how exhibition games have shifted from competitive showcases to entertainment spectacles.

Ultimately, the 12th NHL All-Star Game exemplifies how sports events can transcend the scoreboard. It celebrated excellence, fostered league unity, and contributed to the NHL’s growing popularity during a transformative decade. As the league continues to innovate its All-Star Weekend, understanding these early roots provides valuable context for today’s fans and historians alike.