1959 Boston Bruins–New York Rangers European tour

In 1959, the Boston Bruins and the New York Rangers went on a 23 game tour of Europe, visiting England, Switzerland, France, Belgium, West Germany and Austria. The Rangers line-up was supplemented by Bobby Hull, Ed Litzenberger, Eric Nesterenko and Pierre Pilote of the Chicago Black Hawks while Andy Bathgate of the Rangers didn't participate as his wife had given birth just before the tour.
It was the first time NHL teams played in Europe since the 1938 Detroit Red Wings–Montreal Canadiens European tour, a nine-game affair in Paris and London that the Canadiens won, 5-3-1.
During the tour, the teams experimented with an orange puck, designed by Clair Kenney. The players didn't like it and complained it looked like a blur on the ice.The Official NHL 75th Anniversary Commemorative Book, p.139.
Bobby Hull credits the series for his later success as he was allowed to play a freewheeling style instead of a checking role, which he had during his first two years with Chicago. The Rangers won the series with a record of 11–9–3.
Date 	City 	Team 	Team 	Score
April 29	London, England 	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	7–5
April 30	London, England 	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	4–3
May 2 	Geneva, Switzerland 	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	4–3
May 3 	Geneva, Switzerland 	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	12–4
May 4 	Paris, France 	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	6–2
May 5 	Paris, France 	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	6–4
May 6 	Antwerp, Belgium 	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	6–3
May 7 	Antwerp, Belgium 	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	6–3
May 8 	Antwerp, Belgium 	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	8–4
May 9 	Zurich, Switzerland 	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	7–6
May 10 	Zurich, Switzerland 	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	4–2
May 12 	Dortmund, West Germany	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	4–2
May 13 	Dortmund, West Germany	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	6–4
May 14 	Essen, West Germany 	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	6–4
May 15 	Essen, West Germany 	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	4–3
May 16 	Krefeld, West Germany 	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	8–0
May 17 	Krefeld, West Germany 	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	7–2
May 19 	Berlin, West Germany 	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	6–6
May 20 	Berlin, West Germany 	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	3–2
May 21 	Berlin, West Germany 	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	8–2
May 22 	Vienna, Austria 	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	2–2
May 23 	Vienna, Austria 	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	5–3
May 24 	Vienna, Austria 	Boston Bruins	New York Rangers	4–4
==Gallery==
3May1959-Geneva_Buyck_Worsley.jpg|John Bucyk scores on Gump Worsley during the Bruins 12-4 romp in Geneva, May 3, 1959.
1959_Bruins_Rangers_tour_Zurich_program.jpg|Program from the games played in Zurich, Switzerland on May 9-10, 1959. 
==See Also==
*1938 Detroit Red Wings–Montreal Canadiens European tour
*List of international games played by NHL teams
==References==
Category:1959 in hockey
Category:Boston Bruins
Category:New York Rangers