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?

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Comments

13 Responses to “Leaf Training Camp Requirements in 1962”

uberVU - social comments on January 5th, 2010 4:42 pm

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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

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Free PS3 on January 5th, 2010 11:39 pm

Interesting to say the least.

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=== popurls.com === popular today on January 5th, 2010 11:40 pm

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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??

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leafnation on January 5th, 2010 11:55 pm

even leafs fans have to appreciate the humor in this

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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.

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Jeff on January 6th, 2010 12:39 pm

20 pushups? My obese dog can do 20 pushups.

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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.

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NBA ref book on February 3rd, 2012 3:24 pm

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