Leaf Training Camp Requirements in 1962

January 5, 2010 – Dr. Rush

If you’re anything like me you must look at the speed, athleticism, and size of NHL players today and think that if they competed against NHL players 40-50 years ago there would be no contest. When I look back at vintage NHL video, I always wonder if they only look smaller and less athletic because of how little protective equipment they were wearing back then. Maybe they were just tougher though right?

Well when a friend of mine (not a leafs fan obviously) sent me this letter by email I just had to share it with The Puck Doctors readers. This is an actual copy of a Toronto Maple Leaf training camp invitation sent by Punch Imlach, to Jim Pappin, in 1962. I thought you would get a chuckle out of the 1962 conditioning requirements.

What sort of conditioning was necessary to be a paid professional athlete in 1962? 20 Push Ups, 20 Sit Ups, 30 Knee Bends, and some golfing and you’re good to go. Wow, when I look at the Leafs current win/loss record in 2009-10, maybe the problem is their expectations on player conditioning hasn’t quite evolved enough from 1962?

Check Out These Hot Stories On The Web

Comments

12 Responses to “Leaf Training Camp Requirements in 1962”

uberVU - social comments on January 5th, 2010 4:42 pm
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by PuckDoctors: New post: Leaf Training Camp Requirements in 1962 (http://cli.gs/qjJNn)…
John Woods on January 5th, 2010 11:35 pm
Wow, this looks like fun dude!
RT
http://www.total-anonymity.at.tc
[Reply]
Free PS3 on January 5th, 2010 11:39 pm
Interesting to say the least.
[Reply]
=== popurls.com === popular today on January 5th, 2010 11:40 pm
=== popurls.com === popular today…
yeah! this story has entered the popular today section on popurls.com…
Sam on January 5th, 2010 11:50 pm
Nice if you could make the image zoom-able….so, y’know, we could actually read it??
[Reply]
leafnation on January 5th, 2010 11:55 pm
even leafs fans have to appreciate the humor in this
[Reply]
GB on January 6th, 2010 4:26 am
You’re such a clever little troll with that last comment. I was expecting another “you havn’t won since 62″ lameass remark but you put your own twist to it. At least you got the date in. Good job troll.
[Reply]
Jeff on January 6th, 2010 12:39 pm
20 pushups? My obese dog can do 20 pushups.
[Reply]
Droppin’ Dimes: Where the Internet Accidentally makes fun of Blind Chicks…. | The Hoop Doctors on January 31st, 2010 12:12 am
[...] 1962 Training Camp Requirements for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Shocking. [Puck Docs] [...]
verizon on September 4th, 2010 11:20 am
Rule 1 Every player must be incapable of being good. Long live the legacy of the Leafs.
[Reply]
canada goose rea on February 3rd, 2012 1:30 pm
very nice publish, i certainly love this web site, keep on it
[Reply]
NBA ref book on February 3rd, 2012 3:24 pm
Hi! This post could not be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!
[Reply]