This is an extremely rare style that I have never before seen and may not see again. This Saints team was the incarnation that immediately preceded a long-awaited pro affiliate in St. Paul, that team being the Saint Paul Rangers, the Central Professional Hockey League affiliate of the New York Rangers. These Saints played in the "I", the IHL (International Hockey League), which was absolutely infamous among all hockey players of the time. This was a goon league where skill players kept their heads on swivels and everyone was trying to stay out of the hospital. Even for fans of Slapshot and Dr. Hook McCracken, the idea of a 'stick-fight' might seem far-fetched, but this was a league where surviving players will attest that it was an everyday activity. There was meanness and cruelty and an anything-to- win intensity in this league. Some would be happy that this kind of barbarism is gone, but there are plenty who think that this is what we should get back to. The LNAH is probably the closest modern-day equivalent, but that is more like the WWE. The IHL was a bloodsport.
This was Hall of Fame coach Fred Shero's second head coaching job after retiring from playing. He spent one year in Moose Jaw in the SJHL prior to this. He finished with 145 NHL games (all with the NY Rangers) and lots of time in the minors. The main goons in his Saints arsenal were Mickey Keating (a St Paul native that Shero would later bring along with him through the Rangers farm system until Keating achieved the rank of Assistant General Manager of the New York Rangers) and John Bailey (reportedly a very dangerous loose-screw player to be around (see the above photo of a bloody stick fight photo for evidence of that)). They bullied their way into two Turner Cup championship trophies in just four years (1960 and 1961) and were runners-up in 1962. This may have been a bloody vicious time to be a St. Paul hockey fan, but the rewards did come with two championships! How many hockey championships has St Paul had since? How many back-to-back championships? How many Hall of Famers have been around St Paul since Shero? Three championship appearances in any four year span is a true sign of dominance in any league. They were the roughest team around but they could also score goals. This was truly a special time and special team, regardless of how you feel about violence in hockey.
This jersey is believed to have been worn by two different Saints, the aforementioned Mickey Keating and also Gaven 'Bud' McRae. McRae skated with the Saints in their first season, while Keating had to settle for #10 for a year. When McRae moved on, Keating took the #3 and never let go. It is not unbelievable that this was an enforcer's jersey. This sweater has had a rough life. There are great handfuls of team-sewn repairs and it is covered in general filth. The jersey also sports the assistant captain's A, which is not surprising. It was well-known by the team that Keating was very close with Shero and that the former at all times spoke for the latter.
An example jersey from a team this rare and from a player this important is a great find. It is a valuable piece of history to be able to keep in Minnesota.
This was Hall of Fame coach Fred Shero's second head coaching job after retiring from playing. He spent one year in Moose Jaw in the SJHL prior to this. He finished with 145 NHL games (all with the NY Rangers) and lots of time in the minors. The main goons in his Saints arsenal were Mickey Keating (a St Paul native that Shero would later bring along with him through the Rangers farm system until Keating achieved the rank of Assistant General Manager of the New York Rangers) and John Bailey (reportedly a very dangerous loose-screw player to be around (see the above photo of a bloody stick fight photo for evidence of that)). They bullied their way into two Turner Cup championship trophies in just four years (1960 and 1961) and were runners-up in 1962. This may have been a bloody vicious time to be a St. Paul hockey fan, but the rewards did come with two championships! How many hockey championships has St Paul had since? How many back-to-back championships? How many Hall of Famers have been around St Paul since Shero? Three championship appearances in any four year span is a true sign of dominance in any league. They were the roughest team around but they could also score goals. This was truly a special time and special team, regardless of how you feel about violence in hockey.
This jersey is believed to have been worn by two different Saints, the aforementioned Mickey Keating and also Gaven 'Bud' McRae. McRae skated with the Saints in their first season, while Keating had to settle for #10 for a year. When McRae moved on, Keating took the #3 and never let go. It is not unbelievable that this was an enforcer's jersey. This sweater has had a rough life. There are great handfuls of team-sewn repairs and it is covered in general filth. The jersey also sports the assistant captain's A, which is not surprising. It was well-known by the team that Keating was very close with Shero and that the former at all times spoke for the latter.
An example jersey from a team this rare and from a player this important is a great find. It is a valuable piece of history to be able to keep in Minnesota.
